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Stormont Sources

Shortbread Media
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  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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.

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    Education Reform, A-Level Changes & The First Minister Title Row

    In this edition of Stormont Sources, David McCann, Tim Cairns and Michael McKernan dive into the "breakneck speed" of Education Minister Paul Givan’s new A-Level reforms. Is the move to modular exams a "once in a generation" improvement, or a "headline-grabbing" risk for working-class students? 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? **** 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.

    59 min

  2. 5 MAR

    O’Neill's War Briefing Boycott, The Greens' Struggle & Gatwick ID Checks

    Did Michelle O’Neill just hand the DUP a political win? 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) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    52 min

  3. 26 FEB

    Stormont Reform Row: Arlene Foster Sounds Alarm as Mark Durkan Pushes Change

    Stormont reform is back on the table — and not everyone’s happy about it. 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? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    48 min

  4. 19 FEB

    Unionism's Identity Crisis, Irish Government Apology Calls and One Year of Stormont Sources!

    This week on the one year anniversary special of Stormont Sources, David McCann is joined by Tim Cairns and Michael McKernan to break down the political storm following comments from former UUP councillor Lindzi McLaren suggesting Irish unity may be “inevitable.” 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.

    48 min

  5. 12 FEB

    Stormont's £400m Loan and Keir Starmer's Future

    In this episode of the Stormont Sources podcast David McCann, Tim Cairns, and Michael McKernan discuss the recent £400 million loan from Westminster to Stormont, the implications of this financial aid, and the ongoing political turmoil surrounding Keir Starmer's leadership in the UK. They also address listener questions regarding the potential for a united unionist party and the future of Northern Ireland's political landscape amidst calls for electoral reform and discussions on partition. 🎧 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.

    46 min

  6. 5 FEB

    2 Years On: Is the Stormont Executive Failing Northern Ireland?

    Two years after devolution returned, has the Stormont Executive actually delivered for Northern Ireland? 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 stallingAre 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 deterioratingThe controversial suspension of TUV MLA Timothy GastonDid 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.

    41 min

  7. 29 JAN

    Polling Time: Jon Burrows' Shakeup & Gordon Lyons Under Fire | Stormont Sources

    In this episode of Stormont Sources, David McCann, Michael McKernan and Tim Cairns analyse the two stories dominating Stormont this week — from a revealing LucidTalk poll to the political fallout over Gordon Lyon's controversial Facebook post. - 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.

    45 min

  8. 22 JAN

    Stormont Is ‘Nasty & Directionless’: Alliance MLA Kate Nicholl on Fixing Northern Ireland Politics

    Is Stormont broken — or can it still be fixed? 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 collapseBalancing politics, motherhood, and public serviceWhy Assembly politics feels “nasty” and directionlessThe toll dysfunction takes on public trustWhy committees work — but the Chamber often doesn’tStructural reform, data-driven policy, and long-term thinkingWhether she will run again in the next Assembly electionWe 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 reformWith 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.

    1 hr
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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.

Information

  • Channel
    Shortbread Media
  • Creator
    Shortbread Media
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    60
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Shortbread Media
  • Show Website
    Stormont Sources
  • Provider

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