In this episode of Stormont Sources, Education Minister Paul Givan joins David McCann, Tim Cairns, and Michael McKernan to address the political firestorm surrounding his Israel trip, the no confidence motion he now faces, and the growing tensions inside the Northern Ireland Executive.

Givan defends his actions, challenges claims of departmental impropriety, and responds directly to criticism from across the political spectrum. The conversation expands into a heated exchange over Israel, Gaza, and Northern Ireland’s divided reaction to the conflict — with comparisons to other global crises, from China’s treatment of the Uyghurs to Sudan.

Later, the panel debates:

Whether Stormont is heading for another collapse

Why unionists feel they’re being held to a “different standard”

The future of power-sharing between the DUP, Sinn Féin, and the Alliance Party

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What does a United Ireland really mean — and what would it take to get there?

In this episode of Stormont Sources, investigative journalist Sam McBride joins David, Tim, and Michael McKernan to discuss his new book co-written with Fintan O’Toole, which presents both sides of the Irish unity debate.

🟦 For the Union:

McBride explains why unionism still benefits from the status quo — and why, despite Brexit, many in the Republic may prefer to keep things as they are.

🟩 For Irish Unity:

He also outlines the emotional and economic appeal of a new Ireland — “a revolution without bloodshed” — and why younger generations might see unification as an exciting chance to start fresh.

💬 Topics include:

• Why unionist politicians avoid the debate
• The “inevitability” narrative around Irish unity
• The Ireland’s Future movement
• Paramilitaries, violence, and what could happen if change comes too fast
• How both sides can prepare for a serious, practical debate rather than wishful thinking

🎧 Subscribe for more balanced political analysis from Northern Ireland’s leading voices.

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This week on Stormont Sources, David McCann, Tim Cairns and Michael McKernan dive deep into two major Stormont flashpoints.

💷 First, the Stormont monitoring round — Ministers scrambling for cash to plug pay gaps.

• Mike Nesbitt’s £100 million boost for health — and why it’s only half enough.
• DUP, Sinn Féin and the smaller parties: who wins and who loses in these back-room budget battles?
• Are Northern Ireland’s smaller parties powerless inside the Executive?

🗳️ Then, sparks fly on X/Twitter:

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Opposition Leader Matthew O’Toole clash over the idea of extending Irish presidential voting rights to Northern Ireland.

Is this a breach of the Good Friday Agreement or just a culture-war distraction?

🎙️ Stormont Sources takes you behind the scenes of Northern Ireland politics — with insight from former party insiders.

📺 Watch more episodes & subscribe for weekly analysis of the Executive, opposition, and all things Stormont.

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Northern Ireland’s political podcast Stormont Sources is back — and this week, David McCann, Tim Cairns, and Michael McKernan unpack the biggest stories in NI politics.

🏛️ Main topics:

• The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) held its annual conference — but Mike Nesbitt’s speech fell flat. Is this the end for the “grand old party” of unionism?
• Who could replace Mike Nesbitt — John Burroughs, Robbie Butler, or a return for Doug Beattie?
• What is the point of the UUP in 2025? Can liberal unionism survive, or is it time to dissolve and start anew?
• Plus: Philip Brett’s Assembly row over “double standards” in media condemnation — is he right?

From the legacy of the Good Friday Agreement to the rise of the TUV and DUP’s internal liberal wing, David, Tim and Michael dive deep into the identity crisis at the heart of unionism.

🎧 Listen to the full episode: StormontSources.com

📺 Watch more clips: @StormontSources

💬 Join the conversation: Comment below — does the UUP still have a future?

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The Stormont Sources Podcast takes you inside politics and policy-making in Northern Ireland.

This week, David McCann, Tim Cairns, and Michael McKernan dive deep into:

• The SDLP Conference and Clare Hanna’s bold call for an Irish Department of Unification 🇮🇪
• Whether the push for a New Ireland can win back voters
• Border poll timelines: is 2030 realistic?
• Stormont’s sluggish legislative record compared to Scotland and Wales
• Why some think Northern Ireland politics is “kicking against itself”
• 
  

🎙️ Featuring insight, debate, and some sharp humour from three former political insiders.

🔔 Subscribe for more Northern Ireland political analysis and behind-the-scenes insight from Stormont Sources.

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In this episode of Stormont Sources:

1️⃣ SDLP Conference & Strategy – Clare Hanna sets out her vision, targeting the Alliance Party, moving the unity debate from “conversation” to “action,” and focusing on health, housing, and institutional reform. Can the SDLP recover ground ahead of the next election?

2️⃣ Irish Language Row at Belfast City Council – Sinn Féin push for bilingual branding on vehicles and uniforms, DUP call it “madness,” Alliance search for compromise, and unionists threaten legal action. Is the Irish language being “weaponised”?

3️⃣ School Uniform Costs Bill – With families spending nearly £1,000 per child, DUP Minister Paul Givan promises affordability. But will the new bill actually cut costs, or just water down the issue?

📌 Subscribe for more Stormont analysis on podcast apps and on YouTube.

📩 Join our mailing list: stormontsources.com

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The race to become the next President of Ireland is officially underway. Catherine Connolly, Heather Humphreys and Jim Gavin are confirmed as candidates, but already controversy is shaping the contest. In this episode of Stormont Sources, David McCann, Tim Cairns and Michael McKernan ask whether Sinn Féin’s decision to back Catherine Connolly — rather than fielding their own candidate — is a clever tactical move or a major political risk. We explore how Connolly’s past comments on Hamas may affect her credibility, what Heather Humphreys’ background and Orange Order links mean for her chances, and whether Jim Gavin can extend his appeal beyond Dublin. The panel also reflects on lessons from Sinn Féin’s failed 2018 presidential run, how transfer votes will be crucial, and whether this could turn out to be a low-key contest despite the high stakes.

The conversation then turns to the DUP’s 2025 party conference, where leader Gavin Robinson unveiled his “Stormont or Starmer” message. We break down what Robinson is trying to achieve with this new framing, how it plays with grassroots unionists, and whether it can withstand the challenge posed by Jim Allister and the TUV. From unionist unity to the DUP’s stance on Israel and Gaza, and from big contradictions in Robinson’s pitch to the question of his long-term vision for unionism, we analyse what this conference tells us about the future direction of the DUP.

If you want to understand the dynamics shaping both the Irish presidential election and the DUP’s strategy in Northern Ireland, this episode has you covered.

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