Whitehall Sources

🚨 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 ...

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:

• Is Angela Rayner’s ...

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:

• Farage’s immigration plan and whet...

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-...

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:

• What it's really like being one of 400+ Labour MPs
• His fight for a new £320m hospital in Milton Keynes
• The broken state of the UK government after years of crisis
• Why Labour needs a bigger and bolder...

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:

• 🔒 Why NDAs are no longer enforceable in harassment or discrimination cases
• 💥 How a former Weinstein assistant helped kickstart a global movemen...

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:

• James Cleverley’s return to the frontbench and Rob Jenrick’s surprise survival
• Kemi’s “think tank” leadership style vs. the need for ...

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 futur...

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. T...

In this episode of the Whitehall Sources podcast, hosts Calum Macdonald, Kirsty Buchanan and Jo Tanner, assess the ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel, the implications of a reasoned amendment in the UK Parliament regarding welfare reform. The conversation highlights the complexities of political strategy, the challenges of governance, and the importance of effective communication in policy-making.

• Tensions in the Middl...

In this episode of the Whitehall Sources podcast, hosts Calum Macdonald, Kirsty Buchanan, and Jo Tanner analyse into the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) presented by Chancellor Rachel Reeves. They discuss the implications of the CSR on various government departments, the political context surrounding it, and the public's perception of the Labour government's fiscal policies. Key themes include the allocation of funds to the NHS...

The conversation analyses the UK's Strategic Defence Review, exploring the implications of military funding, readiness for modern warfare, and the political landscape surrounding national security. The speakers discuss the perceived threats, the public's response to defence spending, and the challenges of aligning military needs with fiscal realities. They also reflect on historical context and the necessity for a robust defence st...

Calum Macdonald, Kirsty Buchanan, and Jo Tanner discuss the U-turn on winter fuel payments for pensioners, the implications of this decision, and the broader context of UK politics. They reflect on the Labour Party's performance, the economic situation, and the upcoming EU-UK reset deal, highlighting the challenges and pressures faced by the current government. We're joined by Alexander Stafford, a former Conservative MP and former...