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.
Apr 29, 2026•38 min
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.
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Episodes
Anglo-Irish Editions
Mark Carruthers is joined by British writers Iain Dale and James Hawe to discuss their views and appreciation for Ireland.
Apr 15, 2026•35 min
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.
Apr 01, 2026•37 min
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 18, 2026•37 min
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
Mar 04, 2026•37 min
Stormont on tick
Mark Carruthers discusses Stormont's financial challenges and the £400 million advance with John Campbell, Jodie Carson and Andrew Webb.
Feb 18, 2026•36 min
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.
Feb 04, 2026•35 min
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 30, 2026•25 min
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 21, 2026•34 min
Contest or coronation
Mark Carruthers weighs up the options for the UUP leadership with Gareth Gordon, David McCann, John McCallister and Linzi McLaren.
Jan 07, 2026•40 min
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 17, 2025•51 min
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?
Dec 10, 2025•37 min
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.
Nov 26, 2025•42 min
Stormont 2.0
Mark Carruthers asks Dr Sean Haughey, Professor Duncan Morrow, Chris Donnelly and Tim Cairns if Stormont must reform to survive.
Nov 12, 2025•38 min
Yellow plateau?
Mark Carruthers discusses the state of the Alliance Party with David Ford, Jayne McCormack, David McCann and Jon Tonge.
Oct 29, 2025•42 min
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.
Oct 14, 2025•40 min
Labour intensive
Mark Carruthers assesses the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool with Nick Watt, Jon Tonge, Tina McKenzie, Tom Kelly and Enda McClafferty.
Oct 01, 2025•37 min
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.
Sep 17, 2025•37 min
The Lord Alderdice Interview
The former Alliance leader speaks to Mark Carruthers about his political influences.
Aug 27, 2025•39 min
The Hilary Benn Interview
Mark Carruthers asks NI Secretary of State Hilary Benn about his political life.
Aug 20, 2025•41 min
The Colum Eastwood Interview
The former SDLP leader chats to Mark Carruthers about his political influences & inspirations.
Aug 13, 2025•41 min
The Sorcha Eastwood Interview
Mark Carruthers talks to Lagan Valley MP Sorcha Eastwood about her political life.
Aug 06, 2025•48 min
The Pat Cullen Interview
The Sinn Féin MP chats about growing up during the Troubles, leading a nurses strike, and entering politics.
Jul 30, 2025•43 min
The Angela Smith Interview
Mark Carruthers discusses her political journey with Baroness Smith of Basildon.
Jul 23, 2025•39 min
The Julian Smith Interview
Mark Carruthers speaks to former NI Secretary of State, Sir Julian Smith, about his political life and influences.
Jul 16, 2025•41 min
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.
Jul 09, 2025•41 min
The Doug Beattie Interview
Mark Carruthers speaks to former UUP Leader Doug Beattie about his political life.
Jul 02, 2025•41 min
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.
Jun 25, 2025•40 min
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.
Jun 19, 2025•29 min
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.
Jun 11, 2025•34 min
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