Top advisers to our significant political leaders analyse the successes and failures of today's politics, sharing their experiences of working in Whitehall. Jo Tanner is a political adviser and strategist who's worked with politicians from all parties - she's Managing Partner at Rud Pedersen UK. James Nation was Deputy Head of the Number 10 Policy Unit, Special Adviser to the Chancellor Rishi Sunak and is now Managing Director at Forefront Advisers. 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of the Whitehall Sources Podcast, Callum McDonald, James Nation and Jo Tanner are joined and special guest Charlotte Pickles (CEO of ReState). Together, they unpack Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s landmark announcements on fiscal devolution—giving local mayors control over income tax and business rates—and his bold strategy to finally fix adult social care in England. What would a Social Care service look like and is devolution the answer to grow the UK economy? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Andy Burnham has officially become the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, marking the country’s 7th PM since 2016. Join host Calum Macdonald live from Downing Street on this special episode of The Sources Podcasts as we break down every moment of this historic handover of power. From Keir Starmer’s departure speech to Andy Burnham’s note-free address to the nation, we cover the immediate reactions, political strategy, and shock Cabinet appointments shaping the new UK government. In this episode: - Keir Starmer’s final speech and exit to Buckingham Palace. - Andy Burnham’s vision: Ending rough sleeping, re-industrialisation, and cost-of-living relief. - Expert analysis with Patrick Maguire (The Times), Cathy Newman (Times Radio/Sky News), Anna Mikhailova (Times Radio), Peter Cardwell (Talk), Alexander Brown (Daily Mirror), Stefan Boscia (The Times), Andrew Quinn (The Scotsman), and Kate Ferguson (Sun on Sunday). - Breaking Cabinet Announcements: John Healey as Chancellor, Ed Miliband as Foreign Secretary, Shabana Mahmood as Home Secretary, and Louise Haigh as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. 💬 What do you think of Andy Burnham's new Cabinet? Will his 10-year plan stabilise UK politics? Let us know 🔔 Don't forget to LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE for more expert UK political analysis from The Sources Podcast network! #AndyBurnham #KeirStarmer #UKPolitics #DowningStreet #Number10 #BritishPolitics #LabourParty #UKPrimeMinister #TheSourcesPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Is Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s economic vision realistic, or is a fiscal reckoning waiting in John Healey's autumn budget? In this episode of Whitehall Sources, Calum Macdonald, Jo Tanner, and James Nation discuss Andy Burnham's new cabinet... what will his new top-team mean for the country? Later they welcome Ben Zaranko, Economics Editor at The Observer, to break down the fiscal realities facing the new Burnham administration. From VAT cuts on energy and bus fare caps to personal allowance speculation, regional devolution, and Bank of England accounting hacks—we examine where the money will actually come from. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
As Andy Burnham prepares to enter Downing Street on Monday, the Whitehall Sources team goes behind the scenes of yet another transfer of power in Westminster. In this episode, Calum Macdonald, Jo Tanner, and James Nation break down the high-stakes chess game of Burnham’s upcoming cabinet reshuffle. Will Shabana Mahmood be named Chancellor? Is Ed Miliband a massive risk or an indispensable domestic policy visionary? And what does the rise of the Greater Manchester Mayor mean for the future of UK devolution? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On today's episode of the Whitehall Sources podcast, Calum Macdonald, Jo Tanner and James Nation discuss the fallout to Nigel Farage's triggering a by-election in his own seat of Clacton.With most parties not standing his main challenger seems to be Count Binface.... Does this by-election even matter and should it get media attention, or is it a political stunt from the Reform UK leader that is best left alone? Later, the trio are joined by Alex Thomas from the Institute for Government, to discuss how soon-to-be Prime Ministers get ready for the highest office in the land. What is Andy Burnham thinking and planning ahead of his time in No. 10 and is there anything he is missing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
As Andy Burnham prepares for a potential move into Downing Street, the team breaks down his massive devolution speech in Manchester. Is "Number 10 North" a stroke of political genius or just rearranging deckchairs? In this episode of Whitehall Sources, Calum Macdonald, Jo Tanner, and James Nation dive into the intense speculation surrounding Burnham’s upcoming cabinet. Will Ed Miliband grab the Chancellor spot? Is Angela Rayner heading back to housing? Plus, we break down the reality of Burnham's tax "room for maneuver," the looming autumn budget, and whether the Labour Party is truly ready for radical welfare reform. 💬 What do you think? Will Andy Burnham stick to the manifesto, or are tax rises inevitable this autumn? 📥 Get in touch: WhatsApp us: 033-404-6507 (Start your message with 'Whitehall') // Email: hello@whitehallsources.com Subscribe for weekly insider insights straight from Westminster! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Is Andy Burnham destined to be the next Prime Minister? In this episode of Whitehall Sources, Calum Maconald, Jo Tanner, and James Nation break down the imminent "coronation" of the former Greater Manchester Mayor as the potential next leader of the Labour Party. We are joined by Financial Times Northern England Correspondent Jennifer Williams to unpack what a decade of covering Burnham reveals about his leadership style, his weaknesses, and his "Manchesterism" vision for the UK economy. From his explosive COVID-19 showdowns to his comparisons with Boris Johnson and FDR's New Deal, we explore how Burnham plans to reinvent national renewal—and whether his famous charm will survive the ruthless central government press machine. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sir Keir Starmer has announced he is standing down as Prime Minister. In this emergency episode of Whitehall Sources, Calum Macdonald, political strategist Jo Tanner, and former No. 10 deputy policy chief James Nation take you inside the room for one of the most shocking days in modern Westminster history. How did Starmer’s authority evaporate just two years into his premiership? From the catastrophic fallout of the budget and the Mandelson affair to the historic Makerfield by-election victory, we break down exactly why the game was up for Starmer. Plus, we look at the incredible visuals of Andy Burnham’s arrival in Westminster. With over 200 Labour MPs rushing to be in his selfie, power has officially shifted. Is a Burnham coronation inevitable? What does a Burnham government mean for the economy, devolution, and the markets? And what is it actually like inside Number 10 when a Prime Minister resigns? If you want to stay inside politics at Westminster, make sure to hit that SUBSCRIBE button and turn on notifications! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
FEED SWAP: We introduce you to the Political Business podcast, hosted by Nathan Parsad-Wyatt and Kevin McKeever ------- Andy Burnham has secured a historic landslide victory in the Makerfield by-election, taking 55% of the vote and delivering a massive blow to Reform UK. Is this the end of the road for Prime Minister Keir Starmer? In this episode of Political Business, hosts Nathan Parsad-Wyatt and Kevin McKeever break down the dramatic ground war in Makerfield, how Burnham successfully mobilized "unicorn" non-voters, and why Westminster is preparing for an imminent shift in Labour leadership. We also sit down with polling expert Scarlett Maguire (Founder & MD of Merlin Strategy) to dissect the hard data, explore the surprising Conservative by-election win in Aberdeen, and analyze what a potential Burnham Premiership means for the future of British politics and business. 📌 SUBSCRIBE for more deep dives into the intersection of British politics and business. #AndyBurnham #KeirStarmer #MakerfieldByElection #LabourParty #ReformUK #UKPolitics #PoliticalBusiness Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this Whitehall Sources special, Calum Macdonald, Jo Tanner and James Nation are joined by Adam Dunlop (CEO of Carents) and Dr. Jackie Gray (Carents Founder) to pull back the curtain on the UK's adult carer crisis. They dive deep into the economic, emotional, and structural battles facing 4 million adult children in the UK today. Over 70% of carents are forced to leave the workforce or downplay their responsibilities due to societal stigma and broken local systems. We look at why Whitehall continues to fight over cash while ignoring the integrations that could save the UK economy billions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On today’s episode of the Whitehall Sources podcast, Calum Macdonald, James Nation and Jo Tanner react to the breaking news that John Healey has resigned as Cabinet Secretary. In a bombshell revelation, Healey’s resignation letter claimed that the government has been unwilling to “commit the resources that the nation needs to defend the country”. What does this shock announcement mean for UK politics and for Keir Starmer’s crumbling premiership? Is there a chance that Healey himself will run for leader? Is Britain actually becoming more unsafe and is the Defence Investment Plan (DIP) currently untenable? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On today's episode of Whitehall Sources, Calum Macdonald, Jo Tanner and James Nation discuss a week in UK politics that was dominated by only one story. The tragic murder of 18-year-old student Henry Novak and the subsequent release of harrowing police bodycam footage has sparked political reaction from party leaders, police men and women and members of the public. Calum, Jo and James discuss the tragedy and the political fallout: has this led to a serious discussion on "two-tier policing" rhetoric? Does it need to? ... and how are political leaders are navigating the tragic murder of Henry? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, Calum Macdonald, Jo Tanner and James Nation dive into another week of political drama. We dissect Sir Tony Blair’s explosive 5,700-word essay critiquing the current administration's lack of a coherent plan for a fast-changing world. Why has Downing Street stayed completely silent and Is Starmer's stubborn leadership style costing the party its grip on power? We also break down former Health Secretary Alan Milburn’s damning new report on the youth unemployment crisis. With over 1 million young people now classified as NEETs (Not in Employment, Education, or Training), the team exposes the structural red tape, apprenticeship failures, and mental health challenges pushing young Brits out of entry-level jobs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of Whitehall Sources, Calum Macdonald, Jo Tanner, and James Nation pull back the curtain on another busy week at Westminster. After Andy Burnham was confirmed as a candidate for the Makerfield by-election, and a likely candidate for Prime Minister, are the government now in crisis mode and will anything they do increase their approval ratings? Also on the show today: Why did the UK quietly loosen sanctions on refined Russian oil and diesel behind Europe's back? We break down the late-night technical notice that left ministers fumbling for answers. Bridget Phillipson called criticism of a social media video with Gemma Collins "snobbery," but why did the Department for Education’s collaboration with her leave Special Educational Needs (SEND) parents and campaigners absolutely furious? Rachel Reeves announces a summer VAT holiday on theme parks, cinemas, and zoos while the government fights off rumours of supermarket food price caps. Is this smart cost-of-living policy or sheer desperation? And a brutal text exchange between Jonny Reynolds and suspended Labour MP Karl Turner goes viral on X. Is this sending completely the wrong message on mental health? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this special edition of Stormont Sources, Calum Macdonald and Andy Maciver from the Whitehall Sources and Holyrood Sources podcasts join David McCann, Tim Cairns and Michael McKernan to discuss how the results of the Welsh, Scottish and English elections will impact the UK as a whole and Northern Ireland. What will 3 nationalist First Ministers do for the state of the union... and is that statistic misleading? Where do Reform UK lie after an excellent night of results Can Keir Starmer survive as Prime Minister? Stormont Sources is the place to hear all about politics and policy making in Northern Ireland. . Join journalist, David McCann, plus Tim Cairns, a former Special Advisor to First Minister Peter Robinson and Head of Policy for the DUP and Micheal McKernan, a former Special Advisor in the SDLP who worked in the Northern Ireland Executive from 2007-2016. Holyrood Sources covers everything from the Scottish Parliament, and Senedd Sources takes you inside politics in Wales. Subscribe to all four podcasts on YouTube and your podcast app to never miss a moment from across UK politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On today's episode of Whitehall Sources: Calum Macdonald, Jo Tanner and James Nation react in real time to the Labour leadership crisis on the day Wes Streeting resigned as Health Secretary. Recording on Thursday evening as events continue to unfold, they discuss the possibility of a Labour leadership contest and who might run. Why hasn't Wes Streeting triggered a leadership contest? Who could the dark horses for Labour leader be? Is Andy Burnham about to announce that he is running? Join us for the special edition of the show, as we try to figure out what on earth is going on?! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The UK political landscape has just been permanently altered. In this emergency episode of Whitehall Sources, Calum Macdonald, Jo Tanner and James Nation deconstruct a seismic set of local election results. From Labour losing power in Wales for the first time in history to Reform UK gaining over 1,400 councillors, the "two-party system" is under fire. We analyse: The Welsh Upset: Why the First Minister lost her seat and what it means for the Union. The Reform Surge: How Farage’s party is putting down roots from Essex to Hartlepool. Starmer’s "New" Old Guard: The shocking return of Gordon Brown and Harriet Harman. Is Keir Starmer too weak for a reshuffle? The 2026 Midterms: Are we looking at a permanent fracturing of British politics? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Inside the "Pandemic" of Antisemitism: A Whitehall Sources Special. In this week's episode, Calum Macdonald, Jo Tanner, and James Nation reflect on a harrowing week in London following the antisemitic stabbings in Golders Green. With the UK threat level raised to "severe," the team investigates whether the political response is one of genuine solidarity or mere opportunism. We are joined by Lord Stuart Polak, Honorary President of Conservative Friends of Israel, for a candid discussion on government leadership, the "normalisation" of hatred, and the controversial role of pro-Palestine marches in incubating antisemitism. Plus, with the May 2026 local elections just days away, we look at the fragmented political landscape. Will Keir Starmer face a leadership challenge? Can the government survive a catastrophic set of results? In this episode: The Golders Green Attack: Analysing the human and political fallout. Lord Stuart Polak: Why the government is failing to lead on community safety. The Policing Debate: Should pro-Palestine marches be restricted to static protests? Election Countdown: What the results in Scotland, Wales, and England will reveal about a "fragmented" Britain. Follow Whitehall Sources: 📱 WhatsApp: 0333 404 6507 🔔 Subscribe for weekly insights from inside Westminster. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of the Whitehall Sources podcast, Calum Macdonald, Jo Tanner, and James Nation dissect the "week from hell" for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Following explosive testimony from former Foreign Office Head Sir Olly Robbins, the team explores allegations of "constant and dismissive pressure" from the Prime Minister’s inner circle to bypass security vetting for Lord Mandelson’s Washington appointment. We look ahead to next week’s high-stakes evidence from Sir Philip Barton and Morgan McSweeney, and ask the ultimate question: With the local elections just two weeks away, is Keir Starmer still in control of his government? Later, Nathan Parsad-Wyatt from the Political Business podcast and part of the team from London Decides 2026, joins Calum, Jo and James to look ahead to the London elections, with just two-weeks to go! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of Whitehall Sources , Calum Macdonald, Jo Tanner, and NEW FULL-TIME HOST, former No. 10 policy deputy James Nation react to the breaking news of yet another scandal involving former U.S. ambassador Peter Mandelson. Mid-recording, the team reacts to the bombshell report that Peter Mandelson failed his security vetting, only for the decision to be overruled by the Foreign Office. Did Keir Starmer mislead Parliament? Who knew what, and when? Also on the show: With Wes Streeting calling for more defence spending and Lord Robertson warning that Britain is "underinsured," the panel explores the Treasury’s secret "stack"—the spreadsheet that controls the country's finances. Can the government find billions for the military without gutting the welfare budget? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
