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This week on Whitehall Sources, Calum Macdonald, Kirsty Buchanan (former No.10 special adviser), and political strategist Jo Tanner dissect an explosive week in Westminster — from the Home Office’s “not fit for purpose” report to Keir Starmer’s looming tax U-turn.
👉 Part 1: The Home Office is back in crisis — migrant release blunders, asylum chaos, and Labour’s struggle to get control of small boats.
👉 Part 2: Labour’s credibility crisis — has Keir Starmer already broken his biggest promise not to raise income tax? Kirsty calls it “political suicide.”
🎧 Expect sharp analysis, insider detail, and genuine frustration at a government struggling to deliver.
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🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts
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This week on Whitehall Sources, Calum Macdonald, Kirsty Buchanan, and Jo Tanner unpack the political crisis surrounding the Grooming Gangs Inquiry — after victims resigned and its chair Jim Gamble stepped down. With Jess Phillips under pressure and Baroness Louise Casey drafted in, can the government restore trust?
Then: the rise of the Green Party. New leader Zack Polanski has lifted the Greens to record polling numbers. Pollster Luke Tryl from More in Common explains the data — and Green councillor Hannah Spencer joins to describe how the party is winning over disillusioned voters.
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In this week’s Whitehall Sources, Calum Macdonald and Kirsty Buchanan are joined by Lord Walney (John Woodcock) — former extremism adviser to the government — for a deep dive into two major stories shaking Westminster.
👉 First, the China spying scandal: Why did the case against alleged spies collapse? Did the government withhold key evidence? And is the UK’s economic relationship with China compromising national security?
👉 Then, a wide-ranging discussion on political extremism, protests, and the rise of populism. Lord Walney explains why Britain feels more divided than ever, what’s wrong with current protest laws, and whether politicians are fuelling dangerous rhetoric.
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🎙️ Whitehall Sources takes you inside Westminster for an unfiltered debrief on the Conservative Party Conference 2025 — and asks: Can Kemi Badenoch save the Tories from collapse?
Calum Macdonald plus Kirsty Buchanan, former adviser to Theresa May, and Jo Tanner, political strategist, unpack:
🗳️ Plus: How both Labour and the Conservatives are trying to solve their Nigel Farage problem, and what this all means for next year’s local elections.
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Sir Keir Starmer leaves Labour’s party conference in Liverpool with a bold new strategy: frame the fight as Labour vs Reform UK. But is calling Nigel Farage’s immigration policies “racist” a huge political risk?
On this episode of Whitehall Sources, Calum Macdonald, Kirsty Buchanan (former No.10 adviser to Theresa May) and Jo Tanner (political strategist) break down:
👉 Subscribe to the Sources network: Whitehall, Holyrood, Stormont & Senedd Sources – taking you inside politics across the UK.
In association with Electrify Britain.
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The latest Whitehall Sources episode is packed with political drama. 🚨
👉 Keir Starmer’s government drops a bombshell: Digital ID cards could soon be mandatory to work in the UK. Is this about immigration, security—or just a desperate attempt to change the headlines?
👉 A mega poll (MRP) of 10,000 voters puts Reform UK on the brink of a parliamentary majority—yes, you read that right. Could Labour really be swept away just months after their landslide?
👉 Meanwhile, Andy Burnham stirs the pot ahead of Labour conference with provocative interviews and speculation about a leadership challenge. Is he positioning himself as the next Labour leader?
Calum Macdonald, Kirsty Buchanan, and Jo Tanner break down the biggest stories shaking Westminster. From the cybersecurity nightmare that could derail digital ID, to the battle for Labour’s soul, to the rise of Reform UK—this episode has it all.
📲 Get involved: WhatsApp us on 0333 404 6507 (start your message with “Whitehall”).
🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for insider analysis from Westminster every week!
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Donald Trump’s UK state visit dominates Westminster this week — and the Whitehall Sources team take you inside the drama.
🎙️ Calum Macdonaldm, former No.10 adviser Kirsty Buchanan and political strategist Jo Tanner break down:
Plus: chaos on the British left. Jeremy Corbyn and Zara Sultana’s attempt to launch a new party has descended into a public bust-up, with accusations of sexism, unauthorised membership drives, and comparisons to The Life of Brian. What does this tell us about the prospects for a genuine left-wing alternative to Labour?
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In this episode of Whitehall Sources, Calum Macdonald, Kirsty Buchanan (former adviser to Theresa May) and political strategist Jo Tanner unpack a turbulent week in Westminster and beyond.
🔹 Russian drones breach Polish airspace – NATO faces its biggest test in decades as Donald Tusk invokes Article 4.
🔹 Israel & Gaza tensions – Keir Starmer hosts Israeli President Isaac Herzog amid escalating violence, Doha strikes, and growing Labour Party unrest.
🔹 Peter Mandelson & Jeffrey Epstein – Mandelson admits "embarrassment" as more Epstein correspondence emerges, raising questions over Starmer’s judgment.
🔹 Labour Deputy Leadership contest – why the demand for a “Northern woman” is exposing divisions inside Labour.
We also discuss:
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👉 Comment below with your thoughts – should Peter Mandelson stay as ambassador to Washington?
👉 WhatsApp your questions to the pod on 0333 404 6507 (start your message with “Whitehall”).
#Labour #KeirStarmer #Mandelson #Epstein #NATO #Israel #UKPolitics #WhitehallSources
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🚨 Angela Rayner has resigned as Labour’s Deputy Leader after controversy over her stamp duty payments — a dramatic twist that could reshape the party’s future. In this episode, we dig into what her departure means for Sir Keir Starmer, the challenges it poses for his authority, and how Labour might respond in the months ahead.
📰 We unpack the immediate fallout inside Westminster and across the media, and look at how the reshuffle reflects Starmer’s strategy: Shabana Mahmood taking over as Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper moving to the Foreign Office, and David Lammy stepping into Justice. These moves reveal Labour’s priorities on immigration 🌍, law and order ⚖️, foreign policy 🌐, and its fight to win back voters from Reform UK 📊.
🤔 We also examine the battle to replace Rayner as Deputy Leader. Could Louise Haigh, Rosena Allin-Khan, or even Ed Miliband emerge as contenders? And crucially — what kind of deputy does Starmer need to balance his leadership, unify the party, and prepare Labour for the next general election 🗳️?
🎙️ This episode offers in-depth analysis of Labour’s biggest crisis in years — and what it means for UK politics going forward.
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Angela Rayner is under fire after admitting she underpaid £40,000 in stamp duty on her Hove flat. With questions over her legal advice, whether she misled colleagues, and the optics of multiple homes, will Sir Keir Starmer be able to save his Deputy Prime Minister?
In this episode of Whitehall Sources, Calum Macdonald, Kirsty Buchanan (former adviser to Theresa May) and Jo Tanner (political strategist) debate:
We also discuss the timeline of how the Angela Rayner “Hove house” story broke, why her relationship with Sam Tarry matters to the optics, and what Sir Laurie Magnus’ ethics ruling could mean for the government.
👉 What do you think — should Angela Rayner resign, or is this a survivable storm? Tell us in the comments.
🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for weekly deep dives into Westminster politics.
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Nigel Farage and Reform UK have dominated the summer political agenda with radical immigration proposals: leaving the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), repealing the Human Rights Act, and suspending the Refugee Convention. But are these policies legally possible – and politically effective?
In this episode of Whitehall Sources, Calum Macdonald, Kirsty Buchanan and Jo Tanner break down:
We also hear why Kirsty Allsopp thinks Reeves is "running the economy like Baldrick," and why some insiders fear the government could collapse if the Autumn Budget goes wrong.
👉 What do you think: Is immigration now the "next Brexit"? Will Reeves’ landlord tax backfire? Should the UK ditch the ECHR?
Subscribe for weekly political insight direct from Westminster insiders.
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The Whitehall Sources team — Calum Macdonald, Jo Tanner & Kirsty Buchanan — unpack the week’s biggest political stories from Westminster and beyond:
🔴 UK Inflation Rises Again – Are we heading back into a cost of living crisis? What does this mean for Rachel Reeves’ “budget of doom” in the autumn? Can Labour’s economic strategy survive mounting pressure from business, pensions, borrowing, and consumer confidence?
🟠 Trump-Putin-Zelensky Talks – After dramatic meetings in Alaska and the White House, is Donald Trump inching towards peace in Ukraine or simply staging political theatre? Did Putin give ground? And how is Zelensky adapting to Trump’s new strategy?
🟢 Migrant Hotel Policy Collapse – A court ruling in Epping has blown a hole in government asylum policy. Reform UK councils and others may now launch copycat legal challenges. What does this mean for Keir Starmer’s government and the Home Office?
💡 With inside analysis from former No.10 Special Adviser Kirsty Buchanan and political strategist Jo Tanner, this is the inside track on the decisions shaping Britain’s future.
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Newly elected Labour MP Chris Curtis (Milton Keynes North) joins the podcast to reflect on his whirlwind first year in Parliament. In this candid conversation, Curtis—former pollster and co-founder of Labour's Growth Group—talks about:
This is a must-watch episode for anyone interested in Labour's direction, the challenges of governance, and what it takes to rebuild public trust.
🔔 Subscribe for more interviews with key political figures.
📩 Contact us: hello@whitehallsources.com
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In this episode, Labour MP Louise Haigh joins Kirsty Buchanan, Jo Tanner, and Calum Macdonald to unpack her recent legislative victory: a groundbreaking new ban on non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) used to silence victims and witnesses of workplace harassment and discrimination.
We cover:
Louise also reflects on the first year of Labour in power—praising key reforms but warning of a missing "thread" tying decisions together.
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In this episode of Whitehall Sources, Calum Macdonald, Kirsty Buchanan (former adviser to PM Theresa May) and Jo Tanner (political strategist) unpack Kemi Badenoch’s dramatic reshuffle of the shadow cabinet — is it about party unity, performance, or a subtle pivot toward the centre?
We discuss:
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📰 Mentioned:
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The podcast discusses the recent Afghan data breach incident, focusing on the implications of a super injunction that was put in place to protect individuals whose details were leaked. The conversation explores the processes that led to the leak, the political responses from government officials, and the public's trust in the political establishment. The role of Nigel Farage in the controversy is also examined, along with the future of Afghan relocation efforts and the ongoing scrutiny of government actions.
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In a world often clouded by political uncertainty, the upcoming deal between UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron offers a glimmer of hope. This landmark agreement, set against the backdrop of post-Brexit relations, promises to redefine migration policies and strengthen UK-French ties.
The Promise of Cooperation: As President Macron visits the UK, the focus is on a one-in-one-out migration agreement. This deal aims to return small boat migrants crossing the English Channel to France, while accepting asylum seekers with UK connections. The collaboration extends beyond migration, symbolizing a deeper security cooperation between the two nations.
Gerald Knaus, chairman of the European Stability Initiative, highlights the strategic importance of this relationship. Despite Brexit, the UK and France share common values and interests, from supporting Ukraine to promoting international trade. This deal could set a precedent for Europe, showcasing how countries can tackle irregular migration without compromising human rights.
The optimism surrounding this deal is palpable. If successful, it could transform the political landscape, offering a medium-term victory for Prime Minister Starmer. Drawing parallels with Greece's migration policy success in 2016, this agreement could significantly reduce illegal crossings, addressing one of the UK's most pressing issues.
As the world watches, the Starmer-Macron deal holds the potential to redefine UK-French relations and set a new standard for migration policies. With the right communication and swift implementation, this agreement could mark a turning point in European cooperation. Subscribe now to stay updated on this evolving story.
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