Stormont Sources

The Drumcree parade impasse has returned to the headlines in 2026, triggering fierce debate, toxic chamber clashes in the Northern Ireland Assembly, and questions over the future of the Stormont Executive.

In this episode of the Stormont Sources Podcast, the team unpack the legal, political, and community fallout surrounding the Garvaghy Road parade determination.

Who holds responsibility? Is the Parades Commission fit for purpose? Will the DUP walk out or pull down the Executive before next May's elections, or is there an off-ramp through negotiation? The panel breaks down the legal challenges, party tactics, and what this means for political stability across Northern Ireland.

Topics covered: - The Drumcree Impasse Returns: What Happened on Garvaghy Road? - John Burroughs, the UUP, and Alternative Unionist Voices - Local Perspective & The History of the Garvaghy Road Dispute - Is Parading Settled in Northern Ireland? Community Reactions - The Asymmetry of the Dispute: Is a "One-and-Done" Parade Possible? - Toxic Assembly Debates: DUP vs. Sinn Féin in the Chamber - DUP Strategy: Will Emma Little-Pengelly Step Aside? - The Future of the Parades Commission - Judicial Review Appeal & Final Thoughts
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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.
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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
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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.

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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
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