Whitehall Sources

Youth unemployment in the UK has reached a decade high of 15.3%. With nearly one million young people now classified as NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training), the "Whitehall Sources" team dives deep into why the system is failing and how one entrepreneur turned the worst-performing school in Derbyshire into a blueprint for national success.In this episode, Calum Macdonald and Jo Tanner are joined by business journalist Ruth Sunderland and entrepreneur Christopher Nieper. They discuss the human cost of the NEET crisis, the "scandal" of forgotten towns, and why the UK education system needs to stop being an "exam factory" and start focusing on employability.In this episode, we explore:Why the number of NEETs has surged 50% in just five years.The incredible story of the David Nieper Academy and its "zero NEET" achievement.Why businesses are hesitant to hire young people (and the rising costs of doing so).The "Skills Tax Incentive": A solution that could gain the Treasury £23 billion.The impact of mobile phone bans and mental health resilience in schools.Connect with us:💬 WhatsApp the show: 0333 404 6507 (Start your message with "Whitehall")🔔 Subscribe for more insights into the heart of Westminster politics and policy.

Keir Starmer is facing the most serious political crisis of his leadership as the Mandelson scandal sends shockwaves through Downing Street. Senior figures are resigning, Labour MPs are restless, and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar’s dramatic intervention has exposed deep fractures inside the party.In this episode of Whitehall Sources, Calum Macdonald and Jo Tanner are joined by former Downing Street Director of Communications James Lyons to break down:Why Morgan McSweeney and Tim Allen’s resignations matterThe growing fallout from the Mandelson filesHow the Sarwar speech changed the political weatherWhether Starmer ends the week stronger — or just survivingWhy this scandal is cutting through with voters in a way others don’tWhat this means for upcoming elections and Labour’s futureIs this Westminster chaos — or a moment that could reshape British politics?🔔 Subscribe for insider political analysis every week.

Keir Starmer’s premiership is facing its most dangerous moment yet.In this episode of Whitehall Sources, Calum Macdonald and political strategist Jo Tanner are joined by former No.10 Director of Communications Guto Harri to break down the political firestorm surrounding Peter Mandelson, the release of potentially 100,000 government documents, and the growing pressure inside Labour for heads to roll.Starmer has apologised for “believing Mandelson’s lies” during the vetting process for his appointment as US Ambassador — but did that admission make things worse? Is Morgan McSweeney now the only “sacrificial lamb” left? And what actually happens inside Downing Street when a Prime Minister is under siege?Guto takes us behind the black door of No.10 to explain:The bunker mentality that forms in political crisesHow leadership collapses really unfoldWhy losing senior advisers can be fatalThe psychological toll of governing under scandalWe also explore whether this is just another Westminster storm — or the moment that could define (or end) Starmer’s leadership.Is this Labour’s Partygate moment? Or something bigger?

In this episode of the Whitehall Sources Podcast, Calum Macdonald and political strategist Jo Tanner are joined by Ian Williams, former foreign correspondent in Beijing and Moscow and author of Vampire State: The Rise and Fall of the Chinese Economy, to unpack what Starmer’s visit really means for UK–China relations, national security, and Britain’s fragile economy.We explore:Whether China actually has anything to offer the UK economicallyThe risks of Chinese investment in critical infrastructureLessons (and failures) from Huawei and previous UK–China dealsHow the US — and Donald Trump — may respondWhether China has reached “peak China” economicallyThe realities of surveillance, espionage, and diplomacy in BeijingCalum and Jo also discuss the fallout from Andy Burnham's blocked bid to run for Parliament and Controversy surrounding a social media released by the Labour Party.👉 Subscribe for insider analysis from Westminster👉 Like & share to support the podcast👉 Comment below: What are the state of UK-China relations?

The Whitehall Sources podcast goes deep into one of the most unsettling weeks in global politics as Donald Trump triggers fresh anxiety across NATO, floats a deal over Greenland, drops European tariffs — and leaves allies questioning the future of the alliance.Hosts Calum Macdonald and political strategist Jo Tanner are joined by former NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu, the longest-serving spokesperson in NATO history, to unpack what really happened behind the scenes — and how close the alliance came to crisis.They explore: • Trump’s Greenland comments and NATO’s response • Whether NATO’s future was genuinely at risk • Mark Rutte’s crucial role as NATO Secretary General • Why defence spending, Arctic security and China matter here • How Keir Starmer handled Trump — and whether his approach worked • What NATO’s core interest really is in 2026The episode also marks the emotional farewell of Kirsty Buchanan, former special adviser to Theresa May, as she steps away from the podcast after more than three years and 170 episodes — reflecting on politics, compromise, and the shifting centre ground in Britain.🎧 A must-listen for anyone trying to understand Trump, NATO, UK foreign policy, and the fragile state of global security.👉 Subscribe for insider analysis from Westminster 👉 Like & share to support the podcast 👉 Comment below: Was NATO ever really in danger this week?

Robert Jenrick’s dramatic defection from the Conservative Party to Reform UK has sent shockwaves through Westminster – and raised serious questions about the future of the British right.On this episode of Whitehall Sources, Calum Macdonald and political strategist Jo Tanner are joined by former Conservative minister Paul Scully to unpack how Kemi Badenoch moved first, sacking Jenrick before Nigel Farage could stage a political ambush.Was this a show of strength from the Conservative leader – or a sign of deeper fracture on the right? What does Jenrick really bring to Reform UK beyond short-form viral politics? And does Farage’s growing band of defectors make Reform more credible – or harder to control?The panel also explores:Whether Badenoch is finally growing into the role of Opposition LeaderWhy grassroots Conservatives feel betrayedThe collapse of any realistic Tory–Reform pactReform UK’s vulnerability on democracy and by-electionsClaims that a “high-profile Labour figure” could defect nextAnd whether Farage is once again dominating the political agenda while Labour struggles for airtimeThis is an inside-Westminster conversation about power, ego, loyalty, and the reshaping of British politics.🎧 Subscribe for weekly insight from inside Westminster.

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.--Whitehall Sources is a podcast which takes you behind the door of Number 10 Downing Street. Senior advisers to our most recent Prime Ministers share their experiences and analyse current events. Top advisers to our significant political leaders analyse the successes and failures of today's politics, sharing their experiences of working in Whitehall. Kirsty Buchanan worked with Theresa May as PM, and Liz Truss when she was Secretary of State. Jo Tanner is a political adviser and strategist who's worked with politicians from all parties. Journalist and broadcaster Calum Macdonald manages their in-tray of talking points, U-turns and crises. From parties in Westminster to the tactics of SpAds, this is your exclusive insight into how politics is done and how politicians work. We welcome insiders and analysts to join the conversation each week.Listen here: https://podfollow.com/1649210131Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: search for Whitehall Sources

British politics is entering a new and unstable era.In this Whitehall Sources New Year special, we're joined by Luke Tryl of More in Common.Calum Macdonald, political strategist Jo Tanner and former No.10 adviser Kirsty Buchanan, to break down the biggest polling stories of 2025 and what they mean for 2026’s critical elections.🔍 In this episode:Why Reform UK is leading the polls – and whether Nigel Farage has peakedLabour’s historic collapse in support under Keir StarmerThe unexpected rise of the Green Party and Zach PolanskiKemi Badenoch’s recovery and the Conservatives’ fight for survivalHow TikTok, digital media and the attention economy are reshaping politicsWhat the Scottish, Welsh and English local elections could deliverIs the UK heading for US-style midterm politics and permanent fragmentation?Luke Tryl explains why voters are abandoning the status quo, why challenger parties are thriving, and whether Britain’s traditional two-party system can survive the decade.🎙️ Essential listening for anyone following UK polling, elections, Reform UK, Labour, the Conservatives, the Greens, and the future of British democracy.

The Whitehall Sources Christmas Special takes a hard look back at one of the most turbulent years in British and global politics — and asks what comes next.Calum Macdonald, former No.10 adviser Kirsty Buchanan and political strategist Jo Tanner unpack the defining moments of 2025:The Labour welfare rebellion that exposed Keir Starmer’s leadership weaknessesRachel Reeves’ emotional Commons moment and what it revealed about pressure at the topAngela Rayner, reshuffles, and why Starmer is being labelled an “unlucky general”Europe, Trump, Putin and the Alaska summit — and why the UK and EU look powerless on UkraineHas anything really changed in global politics despite the noise?Plus: 🎙️ Our favourite Whitehall Sources moments of the year 🔮 Bold predictions for 2026, including Keir Starmer’s future and Nigel Farage’s leadership of Reform UK 🎄 Festive politics, candid debate, and unfiltered analysisIf you want insider political analysis without the Westminster spin, this episode is essential listening.📩 Send us your 2026 predictions: WhatsApp: 0333 404 6507 Email: hello@whitehallsources.com🎧 New episodes every week — including throughout Christmas and New Year.