Stormont Sources

Is Gavin Robinson's leadership of the DUP under threat? Could Carla Lockhart leave the party? And what does the Drumcree dispute mean for the future of unionism and power-sharing at Stormont?On this episode of Stormont Sources,the team examine another turbulent week in Northern Ireland politics. The discussion focuses on the fallout from the decision to ban the Orange Order parade from proceeding down the Garvaghy Road, the resulting tensions within unionism, and the political consequences for the DUP, Sinn Féin and the wider Northern Ireland Executive.Topics discussed: -Carla Lockhart's future in the DUP -Gavin Robinson's leadership and internal party pressure -The Drumcree dispute and the Garvaghy Road parade ban -The Orange Order and the rule of law -Sinn Féin ministers and Assembly exclusion motions -The DUP, TUV and Ulster Unionist Party -Alliance's role in the Assembly debate -Northern Ireland election polling and unionist strategy -The future of Stormont and power-sharing reform

Northern Ireland’s political tensions are once again in the spotlight as the panel examines the ongoing Drumcree dispute and the challenges facing the Stormont Executive. With Michelle O’Neill facing questions in the Assembly, the discussion explores whether political leaders can find a way forward, what role the Secretary of State could play, and whether the controversy could have wider consequences for power-sharing. Elsewhere, the panel turns to the Alliance Party’s decision to walk out of the Assembly during a vote of no confidence in Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir. The discussion looks at the pressures facing parties in Northern Ireland’s power-sharing system and the challenges of ensuring ministerial accountability.The episode also examines the latest legal developments involving the A5 road upgrade, one of Northern Ireland’s long-running infrastructure projects. With questions remaining over the route to construction, the panel discusses the obstacles facing major developments, the impact of legal challenges and whether changes to planning and decision-making could help deliver essential infrastructure more quickly.

Jon Burrows, leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, joins the Stormont Sources podcast to discuss the future of the UUP, Stormont reform, the constitutional debate and unionist cooperation ahead of the next Assembly and local government elections. Burrows discusses why he believes Stormont needs reform, his argument for making the case for the Union, the UUP's approach to working with other unionist parties and his ambitions for the party. Then, the panel turns their focus to last weekend's DUP Conference breaking down Gavin Robinson's leader’s address, the party's current polling position, and whether the DUP is facing a long-term shift to the UUP in 1997.

Live from the SDLP Annual Conference, the Stormont Sources team breaks down the state of Northern Ireland politics, Assembly accountability, and the SDLP's roadmap for the 2027 election.The panel discusses Claire Hanna’s conference speech, the SDLP’s strategy for the next election, and how the party plans to distinguish itself from Sinn Féin and Alliance.They also examine the lack of a Stormont budget, the Executive’s record on delivery, regional inequality and Sinéad McLaughlin’s proposed Regional Balance Bill.Topics discussed:-SDLP conference & Claire Hanna’s leadership-The SDLP’s election strategy-SDLP opposition at Stormont-Stormont’s lack of a budget & public services-Regional inequality & Belfast-centric politics-Investment and jobs outside Belfast-Sinn Féin, Casement Park & the A5-Irish unity / a “New Ireland”-The relationship between nationalism and unionism-Making Northern Ireland work now

Stormont is back but Northern Ireland’s political problems haven’t gone away.In this episode of Stormont Sources the team look at the first week back at the Northern Ireland Assembly after the nine-week summer recess.With the next Assembly and local government elections approaching, the political temperature is already rising. Ministers and MLAs have been clashing in the chamber, controversial legislation is coming forward and the Executive is still without an agreed budget six months into the financial year.Topics discussed:-The return of MLAs to the Assembly chamber and the rise of "Punch and Judy" election politics.-Key legislation watch: Flags & Emblems Bill, Conversion Practices Bill, and the controversial Harbours Bill.-Gordon Lyons' surprise engagement with arts protesters outside Stormont.-Is the Executive stuck? Why nothing major may get passed before the upcoming elections.-The £1B budget deficit crisis, Chris Heaton-Harris / UK Treasury stance, and structural spending challenges in Health and Education.-Why Northern Ireland's 5-day health model and hospital assets need urgent reform.

Claire Sugden joins Stormont Sources to discuss the future of Northern Ireland politics ahead of the 2027 Assembly election.The independent MLA for East Londonderry speaks candidly about her political future, the challenges facing Stormont and whether the Executive will survive until the next Assembly election.Claire also discusses the ongoing Causeway Hospital emergency surgery controversy, her concerns about the future of A&E services, and what she says she has been hearing from senior medical staff.Topics discussed:-Claire Sugden's future as an independent MLA-The 2027 Northern Ireland Assembly election-Could Stormont collapse before the election?-Causeway Hospital and emergency general surgery-The future of A&E services at Causeway-The Parades Commission controversy-Drumcree and the legacy of the Troubles-DUP, UUP and TUV competition-Claire Sugden and Alliance-A possible Westminster run-The future of Northern Ireland's hospitals-The changing unionist vote

In this episode of Stormont Sources, David, Tim and Michael dissect a major High Court ruling.The court has quashed the decision by the Parades Commission regarding the annual Drumcree parade outside Portadown. The team breaks down what actually happened in court, whether this represents a "seismic" legal shift or an administrative blunder, and what it means for Northern Irish politics ahead of upcoming elections.Later in the episode, the team answer your questions, tackling everything from advice for young people looking to get into politics and which Executive department they would choose, to the politicians and public figures they’d most like to have on the podcast.Topics discussed:- High Court Quashes Drumcree Parades Commission Decision- Legal Judgment & Administrative Failures- "Quangoland" & How the Parades Commission Made Decisions- Media Coverage, Slugger O'Toole, & Social Media Evidence- Political Fallout & Culture Wars- Has Northern Ireland Changed Since 1999?- Is a Parade Down Garvaghy Road Good for Society?- Listeners Questions

The political "silly season" in Northern Ireland has exploded with major developments across the Executive. In this episode of Stormont Sources, host David McCann sits down with regulars Tim Cairns and Michael McKernan to break down the descending crises facing Northern Ireland’s key political parties.Following the shock resignation of UUP Health Minister Mike Nesbitt, the panel analyses who Jon Burrows might pick as his successor. From Robbie Butler to Steve Aiken and whether the Executive is heading toward total gridlock on health reform before the May elections.Later in the episode, the team explores the optics of the DUP's handling of MP Jim Shannon’s court summons, and examines the political backlash facing Alliance Minister Andrew Muir over the Fermanagh cattle cull controversy.Topics discussed:-Alliance, DUP, and the UUP Health Crisis-Mike Nesbitt Resigns: What Went Wrong Between Nesbitt & Jon Burrows?- Old Politics vs. New Politics: Reforming NI’s Healthcare System- Civil Servants vs. Political Accountability in the Department of Health- Health Service Freeze: Will any healthcare reform happen before May?- Who is the next Health Minister? Predicting John Burroughs' choice- DUP & Jim Shannon: Legal nuance vs. public perception- Alliance Party in the Firing Line: Andrew Muir & the cattle cull debate