Red Lines

The back-stop’s here? Bad puns with top political coverage from Northern Ireland. Red Lines brings you essential analysis and commentary by BBC NI’s politics team.

Radio Ulster,247 episodes

Episodes

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Donaldson's downfall
Mark Carruthers and guests reflect on the former DUP Leader's fall from grace.
24 Jun 2026,34 mins
Makerfield Matters?
Will Andy Burnham make it to Downing Street? And what impact might he have on NI?
11 Jun 2026,33 mins
Talking ballots
With just a year to go Mark Carruthers looks ahead to the Assembly election.
27 May 2026,42 mins
Celtic fringe benefits?
Mark Carruthers looks at the rise of nationalism in the local and national elections.
13 May 2026,32 mins
Come on Arlene
Mark Carruthers looks back at the resignation of DUP Leader Arlene Foster five years ago.
29 Apr 2026,38 mins
Anglo-Irish Editions
Mark Carruthers talks to two British writers who have written books about Ireland.
15 Apr 2026,35 mins
Old Tensions: New Ties
Mark Carruthers and guests discuss the current state of Anglo-Irish relations.
01 Apr 2026,37 mins
West Winging it
Mark Carruthers and guests assess how to survive St Patrick's Day in Washington.
18 Mar 2026,37 mins
Unionists for Unity?
Lord Kilclooney says Irish unity is inevitable. Mark & guests discuss his comments.
04 Mar 2026,37 mins
Stormont on tick
"It's like taking a beer the morning after a really bad session."
18 Feb 2026,35 mins
Mrs Little-Pengelly goes to Washington
But who else will join her in DC this year?
04 Feb 2026,34 mins
The Nicola Sturgeon Interview
Mark Carruthers speaks to the former First Minister of Scotland.
30 Jan 2026,24 mins
Does Northern Ireland need Reform?
Will Nigel Farage's Reform UK party contest elections in Northern Ireland?
21 Jan 2026,34 mins
Contest or coronation
Who can save the Ulster Unionist Party?
07 Jan 2026,40 mins
The Review of 2025
Mark & guests reflect on the political events that shaped 2025.
17 Dec 2025,51 mins
Stormont: A bicker a day?
What are relations like at Stormont as Executive parties plan a multi-year budget?
10 Dec 2025,36 mins
The One Where Rachel Increased Tax on Lattes.
Mark and guests digest the Chancellor's budget and the implications for Northern Ireland.
26 Nov 2025,41 mins
Stormont 2.0
Does the NI Assembly need an upgrade to survive?
12 Nov 2025,38 mins
Yellow plateau?
Mark Carruthers asks if the Alliance electoral surge has faltered.
29 Oct 2025,42 mins
Fintan versus Sam: The united Ireland debate.
Mark Carruthers speaks to Fintan O'Toole and Sam McBride about their new book.
14 Oct 2025,40 mins
Labour intensive
Did the PM manage to steady the ship at his party conference?
01 Oct 2025,37 mins
IMF fear for Keir
Mark Carruthers and guests assess the Prime Minister's political and economic problems.
17 Sep 2025,37 mins
The Lord Alderdice Interview
The former Alliance leader speaks to Mark Carruthers about his political influences.
27 Aug 2025,38 mins
The Hilary Benn Interview
Mark Carruthers asks NI Secretary of State Hilary Benn about his political life.
20 Aug 2025,40 mins
The Colum Eastwood Interview
The former SDLP leader chats about his political influences & inspirations.
13 Aug 2025,41 mins
The Sorcha Eastwood Interview
Mark Carruthers talks to Lagan Valley MP Sorcha Eastwood about her political life.
06 Aug 2025,47 mins
The Pat Cullen Interview
The Sinn Féin MP chats about her political influences & inspirations.
30 Jul 2025,43 mins
The Angela Smith Interview
Mark Carruthers discusses her political journey with Baroness Smith of Basildon.
23 Jul 2025,39 mins
The Julian Smith Interview
Mark Carruthers speaks to former NI Secretary of State, Sir Julian Smith.
16 Jul 2025,41 mins
The George Mitchell Interview
Mark Carruthers asks Senator George Mitchell about his political life and influences.
09 Jul 2025,40 mins