In this episode of Stormont Sources, David McCann, Tim Kearns and Michael McKernan break down the growing crisis in the voluntary sector, as funding for the Local Growth Fund drops from £25m to just £9m.

Plus NICVA’s Celine McStravick spills on the real impact: services cut, organisations under threat, and thousands left without support.

👉 Who’s responsible — the UK Government or the Northern Ireland Executive?

👉 Can anything be done before it’s too late?

PLUS:

The DUP targets West Belfast — but can unionism really win there for the first time in 20 years?

📩 Get in touch: hello@stormontsources.com

📞 Voicemail: 0333 404 6507 (use code “Stormont”)

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Click stormontsources.com to listen and for all of our episodes

Welcome inside politics in Northern Ireland. Listen to the podcast which brings you analysis, insight and experience from Stormont. Join journalist, David McCann, plus Tim Cairns, a former Special Advisor to Peter Robinson and Head of Policy for the DUP and Micheal McKernan, a former Special Advisor in the SDLP worked in the Executive from 2007-2016.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two weeks ago, we heard from Sinn Féin and Alliance members of the Education Committee.

Today, the Minister himself responds to what he calls "misrepresentations" of his reforms. From the abolition of AS-Levels to the "test factory" culture in NI schools, we go into the weeds of the most significant education shake-up in a generation.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Rebuttal: Why Paul Givan issued a Ministerial Statement specifically about this podcast.
• TransformEd Explained: Addressing the 10 "myths" of the new curriculum.
• Exam Overhaul: The move away from modular GCSEs and the future of A-Levels.
• The Academic Selection "Elephant": Why the Minister isn't touching the transfer test.
• Stormont Culture: Is the atmosphere between parties becoming "toxic"?
• The DUP & Minimum Unit Pricing: Why the party is blocking Mike Nesbitt's health policy.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Stormont Sources, David McCann, Michael McKernan (former SDLP Advisor), and Tim Cairns (former DUP Advisor) dive into a packed week in Northern Ireland politics.

We break down the highlights (and tactical errors) of the Alliance Party Conference, discuss whether Eóin Tennyson is the leader-in-waiting, and analyse the "shadow boxing" between Alliance and the SDLP.

Plus, we head across the Atlantic to discuss the St. Patrick’s Day visits to Washington. From Donald Trump’s surprising comments on Irish Unity to the row over boycotting the White House - who were the "adults in the room"?

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Click stormontsources.com to listen and for all of our episodes

Welcome inside politics in Northern Ireland. Listen to the podcast which brings you analysis, insight and experience from Stormont. Join journalist, David McCann, plus Tim Cairns, a former Special Advisor to Peter Robinson and Head of Policy for the DUP and Micheal McKernan, a former Special Advisor in the SDLP worked in the Executive from 2007-2016.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We dive deep into the "toxic" atmosphere of the Assembly, why the Department of Justice is facing a massive budget crisis, and the national scandal of Lough Neagh. Naomi doesn't hold back on the "veto culture" between the DUP and Sinn Féin, her 20 years in leadership, and why the Alliance Party’s participation in the Executive should never be taken for granted.

In this episode:

• The "demonisation" of Naomi Long in unionist communities.
• Why the Stormont "hamster wheel" of arguments needs to stop.
• The truth about MLA pay rises and the "Thunderdome" chamber.
• A special look at the Lough Neagh environmental crisis.

🎧 Listen to the full podcast on Spotify/Apple Podcasts

📧 Get in touch: hello@stormontsources.com

🚨 Subscribe for more insider Northern Ireland politics.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We also sit down with Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole to discuss the SDLP’s controversial motion to rename the First and Deputy First Minister titles. Why did Sinn Féin abstain, and why is the DUP resisting a move toward "Joint First Ministers"?

In this episode:

Education Reform: Sinn Féin’s Cathy Mason (South Down) and Alliance’s Michelle Guy (Lagan Valley) debate the impact of the new exam structures.

The "Gove" Comparison: Is Paul Givan taking a leaf out of the Michael Gove playbook?

Equality in Schools: The ongoing battle for school uniform affordability and the "trousers for girls" legislation.

The Title Row: Matthew O'Toole on why the "First Minister" distinction is a "distinction without a difference."

MLA Pay: Should Stormont representatives get a pay rise amidst a delivery crisis?

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Click stormontsources.com to listen and for all of our episodes

Welcome inside politics in Northern Ireland. Listen to the podcast which brings you analysis, insight and experience from Stormont. Join journalist, David McCann, plus Tim Cairns, a former Special Advisor to Peter Robinson and Head of Policy for the DUP and Micheal McKernan, a former Special Advisor in the SDLP worked in the Executive from 2007-2016.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, David McCann, Tim Cairns and Michael McKernan break down the fallout after the First Minister declined to attend UK government security briefings on the escalating Middle East crisis — a decision that sparked sharp criticism from unionists and raised fresh tensions at Stormont.

With Emma Little-Pengelly stepping into the spotlight, has the DUP seized the political initiative — and was this an own goal for Sinn Féin?

We also ask a bigger political question: where are the Greens in Northern Ireland politics? After the Green's triumph in Manchester's Gorton and Denton by-election, the Green Party in Northern Ireland still struggles to break through...so why hasn’t the “green surge” arrived at Stormont?

Plus, Tim explains why he got ID'd at Gatwick Airport - and what this has to do with intelligence and human trafficking.

In this episode:

- The Stormont row over the UK security briefing boycott

- Did Michelle O'Neill misjudge the politics?

- The DUP’s response and political positioning

- Why the Greens are still missing from the big political conversation

- The Intelligence behind ID'ing at airports

📌 Subscribe for weekly insight on Northern Ireland politics

Or get in touch:

📩 Email us: hello@stormontsources.com

📱 WhatsApp: 0333 404 6507

🎙️ Part of the Sources Network (Holyrood Sources, Whitehall Sources & Senedd Sources)

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Former First Minister Arlene Foster warns that calls for change could “tilt the constitutional balance”, while former SDLP leader Mark Durkan says reform was always part of the plan.

So… is this sensible modernisation — or a power shift in disguise? David McCann, Tim Cairns and Michael McKernan unpack the facts.

⚖️ Unionist fears of change

🏛️ What reform could actually mean

💷 Why MLA pay has everyone running for cover

Plus:

🔥 Martin McGuinness’s 2009 condemnation of dissident republicans — and what it tells us about political leadership

🤝 Has Northern Ireland ever truly embraced reconciliation?

🧱 Are politicians just “managing division” rather than healing it?

📌 Subscribe for weekly insight on Northern Ireland politics

Or get in touch:

📩 Email us: hello@stormontsources.com

📱 WhatsApp: 0333 404 6507

🎙️ Part of the Sources Network (Holyrood Sources, Whitehall Sources & Senedd Sources)

Like, subscribe, and let us know — is Stormont due a shake-up?

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Her remarks come just days after SDLP Leader, Claire Hanna argued that while Irish unity is desirable, it is not inevitable. So who’s right?

We also examine UUP leader John Burrows calling on the Irish government to apologise for its role during the Troubles — a call rejected by Taoiseach Micheál Martin.

In this episode:

Is unionism facing an identity crisis?

Are hardline voices reshaping the debate?

Does the Irish government owe an apology?

David, Tim and Michael also reflect on a year of Stormont Sources and look back at some of their favourite moments.

🎧 Stormont Sources takes you inside Stormont and the decisions shaping Northern Ireland.

📩 Get involved

WhatsApp: 0333 404 6507 (start with Stormont)

Email: hello@stormontsources.com

👍 Like, subscribe & turn on notifications for weekly Northern Ireland politics.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🎧 Stormont Sources takes you inside Stormont and the decisions shaping Northern Ireland.

📩 Get involved

WhatsApp: 0333 404 6507 (start with Stormont)

Email: hello@stormontsources.com

👍 Like, subscribe & turn on notifications for weekly Northern Ireland politics.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

They debate:

• Has the Stormont Executive achieved anything significant?
• Why major Northern Ireland projects keep stalling
• Are civil servants running departments instead of ministers?
• Is Stormont about to rush bad legislation before the next election?
• Why the political tone at Stormont is deteriorating
• The controversial suspension of TUV MLA Timothy Gaston
• Did the Assembly overreact — or is political conduct getting worse?

With the next Assembly election approaching, is Stormont finally finding its footing — or drifting again?

PLUS: Inside discussion on how policy really gets made behind the scenes in Northern Ireland departments.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

- The LucidTalk poll explained: winners, losers and warning signs

- Why Alliance and the SDLP are fighting

- What Jon Burrows’ leadership means for the Ulster Unionist Party

- Has the Is pre-election phase already begun at Stormant?

- And did Gordon Lyons' Facebook post really cross the line?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 dysfunction takes on public trust
• Why committees work — but the Chamber often doesn’t
• Structural reform, data-driven policy, and long-term thinking
• Whether she will run again in the next Assembly election

We also debate:

• 🔹 Unionist Unity — can the DUP, UUP and TUV really cooperate?
• 🔹 Gavin Robinson’s olive branch to new UUP leader John Burrows
• 🔹 Whether a single unionist Westminster party is realistic
• 🔹 Succession planning inside the DUP
• 🔹 Why Stormont struggles to deliver legislation
• 🔹 Listener questions on committees, scrutiny and reform

With David McCann, Tim Cairns (former DUP Special Adviser), and Michael McKernan (former SDLP Special Adviser), this episode goes deep inside the personalities, structures and failures shaping Northern Ireland politics.

📌 Stormont Sources is Northern Ireland’s most-listened-to political panel podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🎙️ 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 survive executive opposition?
• Are cuts to health and education unavoidable?
• Should the Ulster Banner be replaced at the Commonwealth Games?

We unpack the real power struggles inside the Ulster Unionist Party, the growing budget crisis at Stormont, and why symbols and flags still dominate politics in Northern Ireland in 2026.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

****

Click stormontsources.com to listen and for all of our episodes

Welcome inside politics in Northern Ireland. Listen to the podcast which brings you analysis, insight and experience from Stormont. Join journalist, David McCann, plus Tim Cairns, a former Special Advisor to Peter Robinson and Head of Policy for the DUP and Micheal McKernan, a former Special Advisor in the SDLP worked in the Executive from 2007-2016.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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, and Labour’s governing challenges could reshape the UK’s political map.

🎙️ Featuring voices from:

Whitehall Sources

Holyrood Sources

Stormont Sources

Senedd Sources

🔍 In this episode:

Is Reform UK becoming a permanent force in British politics?

Can Keir Starmer’s Labour government survive a brutal May election?

Why the Greens and Gaza independents are threatening Labour in cities

Will SNP dominance in Scotland finally crack — and if so, who replaces them?

Could Plaid Cymru lead Wales for the first time?

How stable is Stormont, and could it collapse again before 2027?

What a fragmented UK means for the future of the Union

This is essential listening for anyone trying to understand UK elections 2026, Nigel Farage’s influence, Labour’s political future, and the growing instability across Britain’s devolved governments.

📌 Subscribe for weekly insider analysis from Westminster, Holyrood, Stormont and the Senedd.

****

Click stormontsources.com to listen and for all of our episodes

Welcome inside politics in Northern Ireland. Listen to the podcast which brings you analysis, insight and experience from Stormont. Join journalist, David McCann, plus Tim Cairns, a former Special Advisor to Peter Robinson and Head of Policy for the DUP and Micheal McKernan, a former Special Advisor in the SDLP worked in the Executive from 2007-2016.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 and the EU referendum fallout

🔴 Why the radical left has struggled to grow in Northern Ireland

🔴 Housing, Lough Neagh and working-class politics

🔴 Unionism, nationalism and the constitutional question

🔴 Ukraine, NATO and EU militarisation

🔴 Whether Stormont can ever deliver real change

This episode explores 10 years of People Before Profit in Stormont, the limits of devolved power, and why Northern Ireland politics remains so polarised.

🎧 Stormont Sources takes you inside Stormont and the decisions shaping Northern Ireland.

📩 Get involved

WhatsApp: 0333 404 6507 (start with Stormont)

Email: hello@stormontsources.com

👍 Like, subscribe & turn on notifications for weekly Northern Ireland politics.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 breakthrough year

• Worst Performing Party – Alliance’s difficult year in government

• Biggest Political Moment of 2025 – from Sinn Féin’s White House boycott to parliamentary privilege drama

• Under-reported Stories – integrated education court rulings, anti-poverty strategy failures, and unionist realignment

• Unionism’s Future – DUP, UUP leadership tension, John Burrows, Robbie Butler and cooperation pressures

• Stormont Sources Highlights – behind-the-scenes reflections on interviews, viral moments and political rows

The episode closes with festive humour, Christmas negotiations nostalgia, and a reminder of Stormont’s most surreal moments — including DUP MLAs singing Christmas carols during all-night talks.

🎄 A must-listen for anyone following Northern Ireland politics, Stormont, or the road to the 2026–27 elections.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Stormont Sources, David McCann is joined by Tim Cairns (former DUP Special Adviser) and Michael McKernan (former SDLP Special Adviser) to break down what the poll really means for the 2026 Assembly election, unionism, nationalism, Alliance, the Greens, TUV, and People Before Profit.

The panel also digs into:

• Why a multi-year Stormont budget looks unlikely before Christmas
• How a £400m overspend is already locked in
• The looming crisis around public sector pay parity
• Whether Stormont’s month-long Christmas recess is storing up bad legislation later in the mandate
• Why Northern Ireland’s law-making process is producing poorly scrutinised laws
• 
  

With Stormont facing shrinking legislative time, stalled reform, and rising voter frustration, this episode asks a blunt question: Is devolution delivering?

📌 Subscribe for weekly analysis of Northern Ireland politics

📩 Join the mailing list: stormontsources.com

📺 Watch full episodes & clips on YouTube

🐦 Follow and comment on X & TikTok

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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 political leadership needs to do now.

From the collapse of footfall to bars struggling to stay open, we break down the real structural problems damaging Belfast’s economy – and the bold solutions needed to revive the city centre.

If you care about Belfast, night life, regeneration, public safety, or the local economy, you must listen to this.

The hosts then tackle the leading political issues of the week in Northern Ireland politics, principally the chance of an agreement over multi-year budget agreement.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

• 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 Stormont raise its own revenue for the first time?
• Why does NI’s health service spend more but deliver worse outcomes?
• Will Labour change the rules on a border poll?
• Should Stormont’s institutions be reformed — and will the UK government lead that conversation?
• What does the Budget really mean for public services, tax powers and the wider economy?

After speaking with Hilary Benn, the team are joined by Ann Watt from Pivotal, who expertly breaks down the implications of Budget 2025, the long-term structural problems in NI’s finances, and the urgent need for a multi-year financial plan.

This episode cuts through headlines and political noise to explain what’s actually happening, what comes next, and what it means for people across Northern Ireland.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We also analyse the UK Covid Inquiry’s damning report on Northern Ireland’s pandemic response, including accusations of “chaotic decision-making”, political dysfunction inside the Executive, and the differing reactions from the DUP and Sinn Féin.

Plus: your questions — including whether the SDLP and Sinn Féin could ever merge, and whether the Irish language has been “weaponised”.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

📱 Join the conversation:

WhatsApp us at 0333 404 6507 (use the word Stormont)

Email: hello@stormontsources.com

Follow us on X, Instagram, and Facebook → @StormontSources

🎧 Listen on Spotify / Apple Podcasts / YouTube — and don’t forget to like, subscribe, and comment below with your thoughts on whether the DUP and UUP could ever unite.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

💬 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 — and created lasting tensions within the DUP.
• What the TUV’s rise tells us about the future of unionism.
• Plus, listener questions on SDLP strategy in South Belfast, whether Claire Hanna’s vote can deliver two Assembly seats, and more.

Tempers flared at Stormont this week as Paul Givan narrowly fended off a vote of no confidence. Relations inside the Northern Ireland Executive have hit a new low — and the DUP’s decision not to attend Catherine Connolly’s presidential inauguration has raised fresh questions about political cooperation.

Are we heading for another Stormont collapse? Or will the Executive limp on until the next election?

With behind-the-scenes stories from Tim Cairns, former Special Adviser to DUP First Minister Peter Robinson, and Michael McKernan, former SDLP adviser, this episode offers rare insider analysis on how Stormont really works.

📱 Join the conversation:

WhatsApp us at 0333 404 6507 (use the word Stormont)

Email: hello@stormontsources.com

Follow us on X, Instagram, and Facebook → @StormontSources

🎧 Listen on Spotify / Apple Podcasts / YouTube — and don’t forget to like, subscribe, and comment below with your thoughts on whether the DUP and UUP could ever unite.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🎨 From Bill Clinton’s quiet reflection to John Hume’s humanity, Queen Elizabeth’s historic handshake with Martin McGuinness, and the grief of victims in Silent Testimony, Davidson’s portraits capture the people and moments that have shaped modern Northern Ireland.

They discuss:

The friendship between Davidson and Carruthers that inspired 12 Paintings

The stories behind portraits of George Mitchell, David Trimble, and Ian Paisley

How Belfast’s beauty and trauma shape Davidson’s art

The Queen’s reaction to her own portrait

The ongoing challenge of depicting Northern Ireland’s divided identity through art

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Givan defends his actions, challenges claims of departmental impropriety, and responds directly to criticism from across the political spectrum. The conversation expands into a heated exchange over Israel, Gaza, and Northern Ireland’s divided reaction to the conflict — with comparisons to other global crises, from China’s treatment of the Uyghurs to Sudan.

Later, the panel debates:

Whether Stormont is heading for another collapse

Why unionists feel they’re being held to a “different standard”

The future of power-sharing between the DUP, Sinn Féin, and the Alliance Party

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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, despite Brexit, many in the Republic may prefer to keep things as they are.

🟩 For Irish Unity:

He also outlines the emotional and economic appeal of a new Ireland — “a revolution without bloodshed” — and why younger generations might see unification as an exciting chance to start fresh.

💬 Topics include:

• Why unionist politicians avoid the debate
• The “inevitability” narrative around Irish unity
• The Ireland’s Future movement
• Paramilitaries, violence, and what could happen if change comes too fast
• How both sides can prepare for a serious, practical debate rather than wishful thinking

🎧 Subscribe for more balanced political analysis from Northern Ireland’s leading voices.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

💷 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 Northern Ireland’s smaller parties powerless inside the Executive?

🗳️ Then, sparks fly on X/Twitter:

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Opposition Leader Matthew O’Toole clash over the idea of extending Irish presidential voting rights to Northern Ireland.

Is this a breach of the Good Friday Agreement or just a culture-war distraction?

🎙️ Stormont Sources takes you behind the scenes of Northern Ireland politics — with insight from former party insiders.

📺 Watch more episodes & subscribe for weekly analysis of the Executive, opposition, and all things Stormont.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🏛️ 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, or a return for Doug Beattie?
• What is the point of the UUP in 2025? Can liberal unionism survive, or is it time to dissolve and start anew?
• Plus: Philip Brett’s Assembly row over “double standards” in media condemnation — is he right?

From the legacy of the Good Friday Agreement to the rise of the TUV and DUP’s internal liberal wing, David, Tim and Michael dive deep into the identity crisis at the heart of unionism.

🎧 Listen to the full episode: StormontSources.com

📺 Watch more clips: @StormontSources

💬 Join the conversation: Comment below — does the UUP still have a future?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 compared to Scotland and Wales
• Why some think Northern Ireland politics is “kicking against itself”

🎙️ Featuring insight, debate, and some sharp humour from three former political insiders.

🔔 Subscribe for more Northern Ireland political analysis and behind-the-scenes insight from Stormont Sources.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 vehicles and uniforms, DUP call it “madness,” Alliance search for compromise, and unionists threaten legal action. Is the Irish language being “weaponised”?

3️⃣ School Uniform Costs Bill – With families spending nearly £1,000 per child, DUP Minister Paul Givan promises affordability. But will the new bill actually cut costs, or just water down the issue?

📌 Subscribe for more Stormont analysis on podcast apps and on YouTube.

📩 Join our mailing list: stormontsources.com

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The conversation then turns to the DUP’s 2025 party conference, where leader Gavin Robinson unveiled his “Stormont or Starmer” message. We break down what Robinson is trying to achieve with this new framing, how it plays with grassroots unionists, and whether it can withstand the challenge posed by Jim Allister and the TUV. From unionist unity to the DUP’s stance on Israel and Gaza, and from big contradictions in Robinson’s pitch to the question of his long-term vision for unionism, we analyse what this conference tells us about the future direction of the DUP.

If you want to understand the dynamics shaping both the Irish presidential election and the DUP’s strategy in Northern Ireland, this episode has you covered.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Emma Little-Pengelly’s attendance could reshape DUP’s image.
• Comparisons with John Swinney meeting Trump over whisky tariffs.
• What this means for Northern Ireland’s global reputation and US investment.

With sharp analysis from Michael McKernan, Timothy, and David, we unpack the political, diplomatic, and electoral stakes.

👉 What do you think: Was O’Neill right to boycott? Send us your thoughts on email: hello@stormontsources.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

👉 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 experiment: what would a 32-county Dáil look like in a united Ireland?
• Could Unionist parties survive – and who would lead a realigned Irish politics?

This episode dives into the hard questions: is power-sharing holding Northern Ireland back, and what would political reform mean for the future?

📌 Got a question for the next Ask Us Anything? Email hello@stormontsources.com or WhatsApp us at 0333 404 6507.

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for weekly episodes on Northern Ireland politics, power-sharing, Stormont dysfunction, and the future of the Union.

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In this week’s episode of Stormont Sources, David McCann, Tim Kearns, and Michael McKernan break down a fiery week in the Assembly:

• Nuala McAllister’s clash with UUP Deputy Speaker Steve Aiken – was her suspension justified?
• Alliance vs DUP tensions and Paul Givan’s new trans guidance for schools – is it common sense or a culture war?
• Gavin Robinson vs Michelle O’Neill over a British Army jobs fair in Derry – electioneering or genuine disagreement?
• With 18 months to go until the Assembly election, is the campaign already underway?
• Plus: Party conference season for the DUP, UUP and SDLP – what do the leaders need to do to inspire their base?

🔔 Subscribe for weekly analysis of Northern Ireland politics.

🎧 Full podcast available on all apps.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

• The personal impact of gambling addiction on individuals and families
• Why Northern Ireland lacks support services compared to England, Scotland, and the Republic of Ireland
• The urgent need for updated legislation and an independent gambling regulator
• How online gambling complicates regulation and enforcement
• Potential solutions, including a gambling levy to fund treatment, prevention, and education

🎯 If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling harm, seek help:

• GamStop: https://www.gamstop.co.uk
• Dunlewey: Support for gambling addiction counselling in Northern Ireland

Subscribe for more in-depth political analysis: Stormont Sources YouTube Channel

Follow us on X, Instagram & TikTok for clips and updates.

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• Sinn Féin continues to lead with 26% of the vote.
• The DUP trail at 17%.
• The big story: the TUV surge to 13%, potentially threatening DUP seats.
• Alliance slips to 12%, with questions over Naomi Long’s leadership.
• The SDLP and UUP both sit at 11%, raising big questions about unionist unity and Mike Nesbitt’s future.

In this deep-dive discussion, we break down:

👉 Why the TUV is gaining ground

👉 Whether the DUP can claw back support before 2027

👉 Naomi Long’s collapse in approval among unionists

👉 The SDLP’s slow recovery under Claire Hanna

👉 Gavin Robinson’s future as a DUP leader

👉 Why some are calling for a DUP–UUP merger

We also look at the lessons from 1998, when fringe unionist parties cut through, and what this poll tells us about the road to the next Assembly elections.

📌 Subscribe for more Northern Ireland political analysis, polls, and in-depth interviews.

🚨 What do YOU think of the latest poll?

• Will the TUV hold their surge or fade?
• Can the DUP recover by 2027?
• Is Naomi Long’s time up as Alliance leader?

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Michael McKernan, Tim, and David clash over the numbers, the quality of education, and whether Northern Ireland’s segregated school system is a “quirk of history” that’s long overdue for reform.

We unpack:

• Why 24% of parents say they’d avoid integrated schools.
• The fight over survey credibility and political bias.
• Whether “Catholic ethos” gives schools an edge in results.
• The real battleground: quality vs integration.

PLUS: Donald Trump’s potential tariff war on Ireland’s pharmaceutical sector — and how it could ripple into Northern Ireland.

🎧 Listen to the full Stormont Sources episode now.

Subscribe for political analysis from Belfast, Dublin, and beyond.

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🔍 O’Neill claims to be “in full control” of Sinn Féin’s Northern Ireland team - but is she really? Or is this a thinly veiled swipe at her counterpart, Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly?

🎙️ Tim, David and Michael analyse:

• The deeper tensions in Stormont Castle
• Whether Michelle O’Neill or Emma Little-Pengelly really hold power
• The soft media strategy behind O'Neill’s recent appearances
• Fresh questions about IRA influence and party control
• Performance grades for Executive Ministers after 18 months in power
• The standout performers and those falling short (with some surprises)

👀 Plus: Why John O'Dowd's career turnaround is raising eyebrows, how Andrew Muir is defying pressure, and whether Gordon Lyons is heading toward “gaffe-prone” territory.

📍 Subscribe for more insider analysis of Northern Ireland politics every week.

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We speak to Jamie Bryson to discuss the lengthy court case he faced, his claims the case was politically motivated, and the implications for the legal system in Northern Ireland. He reflects on his evolving identity from a controversial protester to a legal advocate, emphasising the challenges of navigating political landscapes and public perceptions. The discussion also touches on the cultural significance of bonfires in Northern Ireland and the balance between public safety and cultural expression.

Plus, David, Tim and Michael consider the leadership crisis within the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) following Colin Crawford's resignation. The discussion highlights the party's struggles to find a replacement and the implications of internal disagreements. The second part of the conversation shifts to the potential revival of the Civic Forum, exploring its historical context and the differing opinions on its necessity and effectiveness. And we examine the idea of establishing a second chamber in the Northern Ireland Assembly, weighing the pros and cons of such a move.

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Plus, the discussion transitions into the broader theme of welfare reform in Northern Ireland, focusing on the recent changes proposed by the UK government, the assembly's response and the relationship between the SDLP and Labour is complex and not as intertwined as perceived.

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