Stormont Sources

Two years after devolution returned, has the Stormont Executive actually delivered for Northern Ireland? David McCann is joined by former Special Advisers Tim Cairns (DUP) and Michael McKernan (SDLP) to assess the record of the O’Neill–Pengelly Executive — from childcare and health waiting lists to major project delays, civil service power, and whether Stormont ministers are really in control. The...

In this episode of Stormont Sources, David McCann, Michael McKernan and Tim Cairns analyse the two stories dominating Stormont this week — from a revealing LucidTalk poll to the political fallout over Gordon Lyon's controversial Facebook post. - The LucidTalk poll explained: winners, losers and warning signs - Why Alliance and the SDLP are fighting - What Jon Burrows’ leadership means for the Ulst...

Is Stormont broken — or can it still be fixed? In this episode of Stormont Sources , Alliance MLA for South Belfast Kate Nicholl delivers one of the most candid insider accounts yet of life inside the Northern Ireland Assembly. Kate reflects on: Entering Stormont during collapse Balancing politics, motherhood, and public service Why Assembly politics feels “nasty” and directionless The toll dysfun...

In this episode of Stormont Sources , David McCann and former special advisers Tim Cairns and Michael McKernan break down the biggest political stories at Stormont. 🎙️ In this episode: Is Jon Burrows set to become UUP leader unopposed ? Would a UUP leadership contest help or harm unionism ? Is so-called “liberal unionism” finished in Northern Ireland? Can John O’Dowd’s multi-year Stormont budget s...

In this episode of the Stormont Sources podcast, John Burrows discusses his candidacy for the leadership of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) and his vision for the future of unionism in Northern Ireland. He emphasizes a fact-based approach to politics, moving beyond traditional ideological labels, and advocates for a strong unionist position. Burrows addresses key social issues, including assisted...

The Sources Podcast hosts come together for a special New Year 2026 UK politics preview, analysing what could be the most volatile year in British politics for a generation. With local elections in England, Scottish Parliament elections, Senedd elections in Wales, and mounting pressure on the Northern Ireland Executive, this episode explores how the rise of Reform UK, growing voter fragmentation,...

People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll joins Stormont Sources for one of the most candid political interviews of the year. In this final episode of Stormont Sources for 2025 , host David McCann , alongside Tim Cairns and Michael McKernan , speaks to Gerry Carroll MLA about: 🔴 Gaza and the Palestine debate at Stormont 🔴 The controversial tweet that made him a lightning rod 🔴 Sinn Féin, Brexit an...

Welcome to the Stormont Sources Christmas Special , where David McCann, Michael McKernan and Tim Cairns review the political year in Northern Ireland . In this end-of-year episode, the panel hands out the Stormont Sources Awards , debating: • MLA of the Year – including John O’Dowd, Emma Little-Pengelly, Matthew O’Toole and Timothy Gaston • Party of the Year – why all three agree the TUV had a bre...

The latest University of Liverpool poll paints a troubling picture for Stormont’s governing parties , with Sinn Féin and the DUP both losing ground , smaller parties rising, and the combined dominance of the two biggest parties falling below 45%. In this episode of Stormont Sources , David McCann is joined by Tim Cairns (former DUP Special Adviser) and Michael McKernan (former SDLP Special Adviser...

Belfast’s night-time economy is in trouble — and this deep-dive explains why. In this episode of Stormont Sources , David McCann, Tim Cairns and Michael McKernan are joined by Belfast Night Czar Michael Stewart . We explore the Hill Street “gateway issue” , why businesses are walking away from Belfast, the impact of poor transport, policing, licensing laws, planning failures, dead zones , and what...

On this week's episode Stormont Sources , David McCann, Tim Cairns and Michael McKernan challenge the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on the biggest questions facing Northern Ireland: Why does the Treasury say NI already receives 124% of assessed need ? Is Stormont spending too much — or is the funding model broken? What happens if the Executive can’t plug the £400m overspend? Should Storm...

Rachel Reeves has delivered her second Budget as Chancellor — but what does it  actually  mean for Northern Ireland? In this week’s episode of  Stormont Sources , David McCann, Tim Cairns and Michael McKernan break down the major spending announcements, from the headline £370m funding uplift to debates around multi-year budgets, revenue-raising powers, and the fu...

On this week's episode, David McCann, Tim Cairns and Michael McKernan take a trip down memory lane. From the 40th anniversary of the Anglo-Irish Agreement to the notable leadership changes within the SDLP and DUP, our discussion uncovers the lasting impact of these events and their implications for today’s politics. 📱 Join the conversation: WhatsApp us at 0333 404 6507 (use the word Stormont ) Em...

In this episode of Stormont Sources , David McCann , Michael McKernan , and Tim Cairns go deep inside the latest debates shaking unionism in Northern Ireland. 💬 Main topics: Could the DUP and UUP merge ? Or is cooperation between unionist parties still impossible? The real story behind Doug Beattie and Jeffrey Donaldson’s secret talks . How Jim Allister’s return in 2004 reshaped unionist politics...

In this bonus episode of the Stormont Sources podcast, host David McCann is joined by regulars Tim Cairns and Michael McKernan to discuss the intersection of art and politics with guests Colin Davison and Mark Carruthers. The conversation is based around their new book, "12 Paintings- Converstations with Mark Carruthers” which features portraits of prominent political figures. The discussion delve...

In this episode of Stormont Sources, Education Minister Paul Givan joins David McCann, Tim Cairns, and Michael McKernan to address the political firestorm surrounding his Israel trip, the no confidence motion he now faces, and the growing tensions inside the Northern Ireland Executive. Givan defends his actions, challenges claims of departmental impropriety, and responds directly to criticism from...

In this episode, host David McCann is joined by regulars Tim Cairns and Michael McKernan to discuss the current political landscape in Northern Ireland. The episode features an interview with UUP Deputy Leader Robbie Butler, who challenges the podcast's previous critical analysis of the UUP's role and future in Northern Ireland. Butler argues for the party's stability and social conscience, highli...

What does a United Ireland really mean — and what would it take to get there? In this episode of Stormont Sources , investigative journalist Sam McBride joins David , Tim , and Michael McKernan to discuss his new book co-written with Fintan O’Toole , which presents both sides of the Irish unity debate. 🟦 For the Union: McBride explains why unionism still benefits from the status quo — and why, de...

This week on Stormont Sources , David McCann, Tim Cairns and Michael McKernan dive deep into two major Stormont flashpoints. 💷 First , the Stormont monitoring round — Ministers scrambling for cash to plug pay gaps. Mike Nesbitt’s £100 million boost for health — and why it’s only half enough. DUP, Sinn Féin and the smaller parties: who wins and who loses in these back-room budget battles? Are Nort...

Northern Ireland’s political podcast Stormont Sources is back — and this week, David McCann, Tim Cairns, and Michael McKernan unpack the biggest stories in NI politics. 🏛️ Main topics: The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) held its annual conference — but Mike Nesbitt’s speech fell flat. Is this the end for the “grand old party” of unionism? Who could replace Mike Nesbitt — John Burroughs, Robbie Butler...

The Stormont Sources Podcast takes you inside politics and policy-making in Northern Ireland. This week, David McCann, Tim Cairns, and Michael McKernan dive deep into: The SDLP Conference and Claire Hanna’s bold call for an Irish Department of Unification 🇮🇪 Whether the push for a New Ireland can win back voters Border poll timelines: is 2030 realistic? Stormont’s sluggish legislative record compa...

In this episode of Stormont Sources : 1️⃣ SDLP Conference & Strategy – Clare Hanna sets out her vision, targeting the Alliance Party, moving the unity debate from “conversation” to “action,” and focusing on health, housing, and institutional reform. Can the SDLP recover ground ahead of the next election? 2️⃣ Irish Language Row at Belfast City Council – Sinn Féin push for bilingual branding on...

The race to become the next President of Ireland is officially underway. Catherine Connolly, Heather Humphreys and Jim Gavin are confirmed as candidates, but already controversy is shaping the contest. In this episode of Stormont Sources , David McCann, Tim Cairns and Michael McKernan ask whether Sinn Féin’s decision to back Catherine Connolly — rather than fielding their own candidate — is a clev...

US President Donald Trump’s second state visit to the UK has sparked political controversy in Northern Ireland. Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly is attending, but First Minister Michelle O’Neill has refused, citing Trump’s stance on Gaza . In this episode, we debate: Is Sinn Féin right to boycott Trump? Does Michelle O’Neill’s decision strengthen her base or risk losing influence? How Em...

Stormont Sources is back with an Ask Us Anything special , answering your questions on the future of Northern Ireland politics. 👉 Michael, Tim and David tackle: Should Northern Ireland’s mandatory power-sharing system be scrapped? Could a voluntary coalition at Stormont actually work – and what would it look like? Why the DUP and Sinn Féin might dominate under new arrangements. A thought experime...