Red Lines
BBC Radio Ulster
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Apr 1, 2026 • 37min
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.
Mar 18, 2026 • 37min
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.
Mar 4, 2026 • 37min
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
Feb 18, 2026 • 36min
Stormont on tick
Mark Carruthers discusses Stormont's financial challenges and the £400 million advance with John Campbell, Jodie Carson and Andrew Webb.
Feb 4, 2026 • 35min
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.
Jan 30, 2026 • 25min
The Nicola Sturgeon Interview
Mark Carruthers asks the former First Minister of Scotland about how devolution works best, the independence debate and culture wars.
Jan 21, 2026 • 34min
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
Jan 7, 2026 • 40min
Contest or coronation
Mark Carruthers weighs up the options for the UUP leadership with Gareth Gordon, David McCann, John McCallister and Linzi McLaren.
Dec 17, 2025 • 51min
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.
Dec 10, 2025 • 37min
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?
