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 Sources

Holyrood Sources

Stormont Sources

Senedd 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 cities

Will 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 Union

This 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.

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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/1649210131

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: search for Whitehall Sources

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 peaked
• Labour’s historic collapse in support under Keir Starmer
• The unexpected rise of the Green Party and Zach Polanski
• Kemi Badenoch’s recovery and the Conservatives’ fight for survival
• How TikTok, digital media and the attention economy are reshaping politics
• What the Scottish, Welsh and English local elections could deliver
• Is 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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 weaknesses
• Rachel Reeves’ emotional Commons moment and what it revealed about pressure at the top
• Angela 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 Ukraine
• Has 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 analysis

If 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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.