Skip to content
Red Lines podcast artwork

Red Lines

by BBC Radio Ulster

Government

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.

From the show's RSS feed, refreshed Oct 28, 2026. Source feed.

Subscribe Bookmark

Episodes

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. Drumcree: The Winners?

    Who are the political winners and losers from the Drumcree dispute? Mark Carruthers chats to Gareth Gordon, Sam McBride & David McCann

  4. 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.

  5. The Adrian Dunbar Interview

    Mark Carruthers chats to Line of Duty's Adrian Dunbar about growing up in Northern Ireland and his political influences.

  6. The Kate Nicholl Interview

    Mark Carruthers speaks to Alliance MLA Kate Nicholl about her political influences.

  7. The Martina Anderson Interview

    Mark Carruthers asks former Sinn Féin MEP and IRA member Martina Anderson about her political life and experiences.

  8. The Emma Little-Pengelly Interview

    Mark Carruthers sits down with the deputy First Minister to talk about her political inspirations & influences.

  9. Donaldson's downfall

    Mark Carruthers is joined by Gareth Gordon, Suzanne Breen and Tim Cairns to discuss the disgraced former DUP Leader.

  10. 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

  11. Talking ballots

    Mark Carruthers is joined by Suzanne Breen, David McCann and Jayne McCormick to look ahead to the Assembly election next year.

  12. 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.

  13. 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.

  14. Anglo-Irish Editions

    Mark Carruthers is joined by British writers Iain Dale and James Hawe to discuss their views and appreciation for Ireland.

  15. 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.

  16. 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.

  17. 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

  18. Stormont on tick

    Mark Carruthers discusses Stormont's financial challenges and the £400 million advance with John Campbell, Jodie Carson and Andrew Webb.

  19. 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.

  20. The Nicola Sturgeon Interview

    Mark Carruthers asks the former First Minister of Scotland about how devolution works best, the independence debate and culture wars.

  21. 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

  22. Contest or coronation

    Mark Carruthers weighs up the options for the UUP leadership with Gareth Gordon, David McCann, John McCallister and Linzi McLaren.

  23. 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.

  24. 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?

  25. 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.

  26. Stormont 2.0

    Mark Carruthers asks Dr Sean Haughey, Professor Duncan Morrow, Chris Donnelly and Tim Cairns if Stormont must reform to survive.

  27. Yellow plateau?

    Mark Carruthers discusses the state of the Alliance Party with David Ford, Jayne McCormack, David McCann and Jon Tonge.

  28. 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.

  29. Labour intensive

    Mark Carruthers assesses the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool with Nick Watt, Jon Tonge, Tina McKenzie, Tom Kelly and Enda McClafferty.

  30. 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.

  31. The Lord Alderdice Interview

    The former Alliance leader speaks to Mark Carruthers about his political influences.

  32. The Hilary Benn Interview

    Mark Carruthers asks NI Secretary of State Hilary Benn about his political life.

  33. The Colum Eastwood Interview

    The former SDLP leader chats to Mark Carruthers about his political influences & inspirations.

  34. The Sorcha Eastwood Interview

    Mark Carruthers talks to Lagan Valley MP Sorcha Eastwood about her political life.

  35. The Pat Cullen Interview

    The Sinn Féin MP chats about growing up during the Troubles, leading a nurses strike, and entering politics.

  36. The Angela Smith Interview

    Mark Carruthers discusses her political journey with Baroness Smith of Basildon.

  37. The Julian Smith Interview

    Mark Carruthers speaks to former NI Secretary of State, Sir Julian Smith, about his political life and influences.

  38. 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.

  39. The Doug Beattie Interview

    Mark Carruthers speaks to former UUP Leader Doug Beattie about his political life.

  40. 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.

  41. 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.

  42. 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.

  43. 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

  44. 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.

  45. 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.

  46. 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

  47. Sting Statement

    Mark Carruthers assesses the implications of the Spring Statement with John Campbell, Caroline Keenan, Andrew Webb and Enda McClafferty.

  48. 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.

  49. 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.

  50. Green, White House, and Orange

    St Patrick's Day in Washington -under Trump 2.0

View all 255 episodes →

Topics in this show

BBC commentary Current affairs Government policy Northern Ireland Political analysis Political satire Satirical puns

Click any topic to search every transcript on PodParley for moments someone mentioned it.

About this show

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.

Hosted by

BBC Radio Ulster

Produced by BBC

Categories

Government

Frequently asked questions

How many episodes does Red Lines have?

Red Lines has 255 episodes on PodParley. The most recent episode was published on October 28, 2026.

What is Red Lines about?

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.

How often does Red Lines release new episodes?

Red Lines publishes every two weeks, based on its 255 episodes since September 2019.

Who hosts Red Lines?

Red Lines is created and hosted by BBC Radio Ulster.
Link copied