Stormont Sources

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 dying and equality, and expresses a commitment to engaging in the constitutional debate surrounding the union. He outlines his policy differences with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and stresses the importance of collaboration within the executive. Education reform and the need for an integrated society are also highlighted as critical areas for development.****Click stormontsources.com to listen and for all of our episodesWelcome 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.

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, and Labour’s governing challenges could reshape the UK’s political map.🎙️ Featuring voices from:Whitehall SourcesHolyrood SourcesStormont SourcesSenedd 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 citiesWill 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 UnionThis 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 episodesWelcome 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.

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 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 changeThis 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 involvedWhatsApp: 0333 404 6507 (start with Stormont)Email: hello@stormontsources.com👍 Like, subscribe & turn on notifications for weekly Northern Ireland politics.

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 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 rowsThe 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.

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) 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 ChristmasHow a £400m overspend is already locked inThe looming crisis around public sector pay parityWhether Stormont’s month-long Christmas recess is storing up bad legislation later in the mandateWhy Northern Ireland’s law-making process is producing poorly scrutinised lawsWith 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

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 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.