Red Lines is a political podcast from BBC Northern Ireland's politics team. It offers essential analysis and commentary on Northern Ireland's political landscape, including topics like the backstop and other key issues. The show combines serious coverage with humor, featuring bad puns and top political discussion.
Episodes
Poll-axed
Mark Carruthers asks Suzanne Breen, David McCann and Gareth Gordon for their analysis of the latest Lucid Talk polling.
The 'Beige' Budget
Mark Carruthers is joined by John Campbell, Andrew Webb and Jodie Carson to analyse the Chancellor's budget and what it means for Northern Ireland.
Drumcree: The political fallout
Mark Carruthers is joined by Gareth Gordon, Sam McBride and David McCann to discuss the political ramifications of the Drumcree saga.
Drumcree: The Winners?
Who are the political winners and losers from the Drumcree dispute? Mark Carruthers chats to Gareth Gordon, Sam McBride & David McCann
Trump: Orange is the new Green
Mark Carruthers discusses the recent comments on Irish unity by US President Donald Trump with David Young, Ben Lowry and Diarmaid Ferriter.
The Adrian Dunbar Interview
Mark Carruthers chats to Line of Duty's Adrian Dunbar about growing up in Northern Ireland and his political influences.
The Kate Nicholl Interview
Mark Carruthers speaks to Alliance MLA Kate Nicholl about her political influences.
The Martina Anderson Interview
Mark Carruthers asks former Sinn Féin MEP and IRA member Martina Anderson about her political life and experiences.
The Emma Little-Pengelly Interview
Mark Carruthers sits down with the deputy First Minister to talk about her political inspirations & influences.
Donaldson's downfall
Mark Carruthers is joined by Gareth Gordon, Suzanne Breen and Tim Cairns to discuss the disgraced former DUP Leader.
Makerfield Matters?
Will Andy Burnham make it to Downing Street? And what impact might he have on NI? Mark chats to Adam Payne, John Rentoul, Cat Neilan & David McCann
Talking ballots
Mark Carruthers is joined by Suzanne Breen, David McCann and Jayne McCormick to look ahead to the Assembly election next year.
Celtic fringe benefits?
What impact might three nationalist first ministers have on UK politics? Mark Carruthers talks to Tom Kelly, Prof Jon Tonge and Prof Ailsa Henderson.
Come on Arlene
Mark Carruthers is joined by Gareth Gordon, Suzanne Breen and Tim Cairns to reflect on the resignation of DUP Leader Arlene Foster five years ago and the party chaos it caused.
Anglo-Irish Editions
Mark Carruthers is joined by British writers Iain Dale and James Hawe to discuss their views and appreciation for Ireland.
Old Tensions: New Ties
Mark Carruthers is joined by Paul Johnston, former British Ambassador to Ireland; Mark Hennessey, The Irish Times; and Brigid Laffan from the European University Institute.
West Winging it
Mark Carruthers reflects on an eventful St Patrick's Day in Washington with Enda McClafferty, Caitriona Perry, Louise Burne and Liam Kennedy.
Unionists for Unity?
Former UUP deputy leader John Taylor says Irish unification is inevitable. Mark Carruthers discusses his comments with Alex Kane, Linzi McLaren & Wallace Thompson
Stormont on tick
Mark Carruthers discusses Stormont's financial challenges and the £400 million advance with John Campbell, Jodie Carson and Andrew Webb.
Mrs Little-Pengelly goes to Washington
Mark Carruthers asks Paul Colgan, Shane Greer and Mark Devenport who they think will travel to Washington this year and just how important the St Patrick's Day access really is.
The Nicola Sturgeon Interview
Mark Carruthers asks the former First Minister of Scotland about how devolution works best, the independence debate and culture wars.
Does Northern Ireland need Reform?
Will Nigel Farage's Reform UK contest elections in Northern Ireland? Mark Carruthers chats to Suzanne Breen, Ben Lowry, David McCann & Anna Gross
Contest or coronation
Mark Carruthers weighs up the options for the UUP leadership with Gareth Gordon, David McCann, John McCallister and Linzi McLaren.
The Review of 2025
Mark is joined by Gareth Gordon, Suzanne Breen, Tim Cairns & Tim McGarry to look back on the political events of 2025.
Stormont: A bicker a day?
Mark chats to Jayne McCormack, David Sterling & Jodie Carson about Stormont's plan for a multi-year budget. What are relations like in the Executive and within the parties?
The One Where Rachel Increased Tax on Lattes.
Mark and guests digest the Chancellor's budget and the implications for Northern Ireland.
With Secretary of State Hilary Benn, Prof Jodie Carson, Caroline Keenan & Andrew Webb.
Stormont 2.0
Mark Carruthers asks Dr Sean Haughey, Professor Duncan Morrow, Chris Donnelly and Tim Cairns if Stormont must reform to survive.
Yellow plateau?
Mark Carruthers discusses the state of the Alliance Party with David Ford, Jayne McCormack, David McCann and Jon Tonge.
Fintan versus Sam: The united Ireland debate.
Mark Carruthers speaks to Fintan O'Toole and Sam McBride about their new book debating for and against a united Ireland.
Labour intensive
Mark Carruthers assesses the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool with Nick Watt, Jon Tonge, Tina McKenzie, Tom Kelly and Enda McClafferty.
IMF fear for Keir
Mark Carruthers discusses the Prime Minister's woes and asks if the IMF could be called in with Enda McClafferty, Andrew Webb, Anna Gross and John Rentoul.
The Lord Alderdice Interview
The former Alliance leader speaks to Mark Carruthers about his political influences.
The Hilary Benn Interview
Mark Carruthers asks NI Secretary of State Hilary Benn about his political life.
The Colum Eastwood Interview
The former SDLP leader chats to Mark Carruthers about his political influences & inspirations.
The Sorcha Eastwood Interview
Mark Carruthers talks to Lagan Valley MP Sorcha Eastwood about her political life.
The Pat Cullen Interview
The Sinn Féin MP chats about growing up during the Troubles, leading a nurses strike, and entering politics.
The Angela Smith Interview
Mark Carruthers discusses her political journey with Baroness Smith of Basildon.
The Julian Smith Interview
Mark Carruthers speaks to former NI Secretary of State, Sir Julian Smith, about his political life and influences.
The George Mitchell Interview
Mark Carruthers sits down with Senator George Mitchell at Queen's University to discuss his career and crucial role in helping bring peace to Northern Ireland.
The Doug Beattie Interview
Mark Carruthers speaks to former UUP Leader Doug Beattie about his political life.
Stormont's Report Card - Who made the grade?
Mark chats to Suzanne Breen, Deirdre Heenan, David McCann & Tim Cairns about the past 12 months in local politics.
Leo Varadkar - Unity's poster boy or unionist bogeyman?
Mark Carruthers discusses Irish unity with Leo Varadkar and how the former Taoiseach hopes to plan, persuade and pay for it.
Casement spark?
Mark Carruthers discusses the government's Spending Review and Casement Park with John Campbell, Andrew Webb, Jodie Carson and Stephen McGeehan from the GAA.
Jailhouse Unlocked
Mark Carruthers visits the courthouse & jail on Belfast's Crumlin road. He talks about their contrasting fortunes with Michael Liggett, John Kelly, Johann Muldoon & Rita Harkin
It's Show time
Marks Carruthers speaks to the Agriculture and Environment Minister, the First and deputy First Ministers and other political figures at the Balmoral Show.
The Race for the Áras
Mark Carruthers is joined by Diarmaid Ferriter, Mary Regan and Gavan Reilly to reflect on the outgoing Irish President and who might succeed him.
Trump, Tariffs and Trade deals
Mark chats about Donald Trump's tariffs tactics and what it means for us. With Jodie Carson, Martina Lawless and Will Haworth
Sting Statement
Mark Carruthers assesses the implications of the Spring Statement with John Campbell, Caroline Keenan, Andrew Webb and Enda McClafferty.
Capitol Skill
All you need to know ahead of the St Patrick's Day events in Washington. Mark chats to Caitríona Perry, Enda McClafferty & Shane Greer.
The case for the Defence
Mark Carruthers is joined by Sam McBride, Mark Hennessy, Mary Kenny and Colum Eastwood to assess how global politics are influencing the Irish question.
Green, White House, and Orange
St Patrick's Day in Washington -under Trump 2.0
Trump Power
Mark Carruthers talks Trump, trade and tariffs with David McWilliams, Paul Colgan, Allie Renison and John Campbell.
Next year delivery
Mark Carruthers and MLAs from Stormont's five largest parties assess the performance of the Executive so far and look ahead to 2025.
The Big 2024 Review
Mark Carruthers is joined by Suzanne Breen, Newton Emerson, Deirdre Heenan, Tim McGarry and Gareth Gordon to look back on 2024.
The South Poll
Mark Carruthers is joined by Lucinda Creighton, Gary Murphy, Elaine Loughlin and Gráinne Ní Aodha in Dublin to preview the Republic's election later this month.
The Big Budget Special
Mark Carruthers is joined by John Campbell, economists Richard Ramsey and Andrew Webb, tax expert Caroline Keenan and Tina McKenzie from the FSB to discuss the Budget.
The 200th Episode
Mark Carruthers is joined by Gareth Gordon, John Campbell, Mark Devenport and David McCann to look back on an eventful five years and 200 episodes of Red Lines.
Get with the Programme!
Mark Carruthers is joined by Phillip Brett, Connie Egan, Steve Aiken, Matthew O'Toole, Claire Sugden and Mark Devenport to discuss Stormont's new Programme for Government.
The Denis Bradley Interview
Mark Carruthers chats to Denis Bradley about his political influences & inspirations.
The Máirtín Ó Muilleoir Interview
Mark Carruthers chats to Sinn Féin's Máirtín Ó Muilleoir about his political influences & inspirations.
The Edwin Poots Interview
Mark Carruthers chats to Edwin Poots about his political influences & inspirations. This conversation was recorded before the recent trouble in south Belfast.
The Claire Hanna Interview
Mark Carruthers chats to SDLP MP Claire Hanna about her political influences & inspirations.
Red Faces
Mark Carruthers is joined by David McCann, Suzanne Breen and Jayne McCormack to look back at what caused the big surprises in the general election.
The Constituency Profiles: Fermanagh South Tyrone, West Tyrone and Mid Ulster
Mark Carruthers is joined by David McCann, Enda McClafferty and David Young to assess another three Westminster constituencies.
The Constituency Profiles: Belfast North, South, East and West.
Mark Carruthers is joined by David McCann, Brendan Hughes and Suzanne Breen to look at the race for Westminster in four more constituencies.
The Constituency Profiles: North, South and East Antrim.
Mark Carruthers is joined by David McCann, Jayne McCormack and Stephen Walker to look at the Westminster race in three more constituencies.
The Constituency Profiles: Lagan Valley, Upper Bann and Newry & Armagh
Mark Carruthers is joined by David McCann, Suzanne Breen and Gareth Gordon to assess the candidates running for Westminster in Lagan Valley, Upper Bann and Newry & Armagh.
The Constituency Profiles: Foyle & East Londonderry
Mark Carruthers is joined by David McCann, Enda McClafferty & Freya McClements to assess the candidates running for Westminster in Foyle & East Londonderry.
The Constituency Profiles: N Down, S Down and Strangford.
Mark Carruthers is joined by David McCann, Jayne McCormack and Stephen Walker to assess the candidates running for Westminster in North Down, South Down and Strangford.
Stop the votes?
Will Rishi Sunak's Rwanda policy impact the local elections in the Republic?
From unionism to unity
DUP founding member Wallace Thompson tells Mark Caruthers about his changing political views and how other unionists have told him they agree a united Ireland is "inevitable".
The Stormont Insider - Money for nothing
Mark Carruthers is joined by Deirdre Hargey, Jonathan Buckley, Eóin Tennyson, John Stewart, Matthew O'Toole and Gerry Carroll to discuss the perilous state of Stormont finances.
Pact to the future
Mark Carruthers asks Gareth Gordon, Suzanne Breen and David McCann for their General Election predictions.
Casement snark
Mark Carruthers is joined by Jayne McCormack, David McCann and MLAs Sorcha Eastwood, Mike Nesbitt and Colin McGrath to discuss Casement Park, Assembly tensions and Dublin money.
Back to School
Mark is joined by Gareth Gordon & a few MLAs as Stormont gets back up and running.
Red Lines: The Michelle O'Neill interview
First broadcast in August 2022: Mark Carruthers talks to Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill about her life in politics.
Is anyone in charge?
Who is actually running Northern Ireland?
The Long and the Short of 2023
Mark Carruthers reviews the year with the stars of 'The Long And The Short Of It', Tim McGarry and Dr David Hume, and Prof Deirdre Heenan, Newton Emerson and Gareth Gordon.
Red, White and New
What would unionism look like if it realigned into two new parties? A traditional one and the other more socially liberal. Darran Marshall asks the experts.
Sinn Féin: Will their day come in 2024?
Ahead of the party's ard fheis, the panel discuss what's next for Sinn Féin? Mark is joined by Elaine Loughlin, Brian Feeney & Newton Emerson.
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