Stormont Sources

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.

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 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.

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 future of Stormont’s finances.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”.

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)Email: hello@stormontsources.comFollow 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.

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 — 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.comFollow 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.

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 delves into the personal and professional relationships between the artists and their subjects, the impact of Northern Irish identity on their work, and the broader themes of human experience and political history captured in their art. The episode also touches on the significance of Belfast and the role of art in reflecting and shaping societal narratives.🎨 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 PaintingsThe stories behind portraits of George Mitchell, David Trimble, and Ian PaisleyHow Belfast’s beauty and trauma shape Davidson’s artThe Queen’s reaction to her own portraitThe ongoing challenge of depicting Northern Ireland’s divided identity through art