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Artwork for Red Lines
Northern Ireland
Sinn Féin
Brexit
Donald Trump
DUP
Stormont
Good Friday Agreement
Ulster Unionist Party
United Ireland
Alliance Party
Public Services
SDLP
Rwanda Policy
UK Economy
U.s.-Ireland Relations
Northern Ireland Assembly
Tariffs
Ireland
Democratic Unionist Party
European Union

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.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes245Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Government

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Red Lines

Latest Episodes

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

What impact might three nationalist first ministers have on UK politics? Mark Carruthers talks to Tom Kelly, Prof Jon Tonge and Prof Ailsa Henderson.

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.

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

Key Facts

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Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

David McCann
Dr David McCann, commentator, podcaster and politics lecturer
Independent commentator; BBC NI contributor
Episode: Talking ballots
Suzanne Breen
Suzanne Breen, political editor
Belfast Telegraph
Episode: Talking ballots
Jayne McCormick
Jayne McCormick, political correspondent
BBC Northern Ireland
Episode: Talking ballots
Tom Kelly
Former Downing Street insider, Tony Blair's official spokesman (2001-2007)
Public Affairs / UK politics
Episode: Celtic fringe benefits?
Jon Tonge
Professor, University of Liverpool
University of Liverpool
Episode: Celtic fringe benefits?
Ailsa Henderson
Professor, University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
Episode: Celtic fringe benefits?
Tim Cairns
Former DUP special adviser
DUP (former)
Episode: Come on Arlene
James Hawes
Author of The Shortest History of Ireland
British publisher (as discussed)
Episode: Anglo-Irish Editions
Iain Dale
Author/editor of a book on Irish political leadership
British political commentator
Episode: Anglo-Irish Editions

Host

Mark Carruthers
Host of Red Lines

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 146 ratings
  • Essential, but skewed

    Fascinating pod both for what it covers and the revealing things it leaves out. Want establishment gossip about the sf and dup? You got it. Fun from the fringe? They’ll always find a way to talk about the tuv. But as alliance has crept up over the years that is always kept to the margins as not fitting the sectarian mindset of the show.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    softandfruity
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • George Mitchell interview

    This was fantastic. Mark you did a great job bringing out the best in George Mitchell with your questions, your respect and your ability to touch on what could be awkward topics without trying to score points. It was refreshing and genuinely moving. Thank you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    anniehs1
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Constituency Profiles ? Irregular Episodes

    With only 8 days to the 2024 UK general election you have only covered 8 of the 18 constituencies. There also seems to be very long time gaps between podcast episodes lately. Is the show being wound down? Will all 18 constituencies be reviewed before polling day in 8 days time?

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Patmartin
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • A “progressive” unionist party?

    At times this podcast could be accused of naval gazing, especially regarding seemingly endless discussions about unionist identity and strategy. That hit new highs this week with an attempt to sort current unionist politicians into two hypothetical, realigned new “progressive” and “traditional” unionist parties. To my mind, this completely missed the rationale behind the idea, which would be to make way for new genuinely progressive unionist politicians by sweeping aside many of the overwhelming... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    mhooton
    United Kingdom3 years ago
  • Eamon McCann interview

    A real trick missed here, half the I/v devoted to Bloody Sunday…there’s far more to the man and his life than that disaster…which has been comprehensively covered elsewhere…poor..

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    pokey marley
    United Kingdom3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

A thoughtful, well-sourced take on NI politics with strong, respectful interviewing.
Strong analyst-driven content; some listeners crave more coverage of fringe voices.
High-quality questions that bring out insider perspectives without sensationalism.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#29
United Kingdom/Government
Apple Podcasts
#45
Canada/Government
Apple Podcasts
#188
Australia/Government
Apple Podcasts
#50
Ireland/Government
Apple Podcasts
#90
Philippines/Government
Apple Podcasts
#91
Singapore/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Come on Arlene
Q: Suzanne, Tim, looking back, was Geoffrey Donaldson the right choice at the time after the Foster years and the Putsch period?
Tim Cairns and Suzanne Breen discuss that Donaldson was the only feasible option to broker the post-Foster landscape, but emphasize that his leadership faced serious test in rebuilding trust and delivering policy traction.
Unionists for Unity?
Q: Do you think this is John Taylor's last interview?
The interviewer suggests it may be, given Taylor's age and the weight of what he said, while the guest commentator notes it may be his final in-depth discussion with this interviewer but hopes for more in the future.
The Nicola Sturgeon Interview
Q: What advice would you have for those on both sides of that conversation in this place?
You either have to decide whether you are a supporter of minority rights and dignity for people, or not.
The Nicola Sturgeon Interview
Q: Are you concerned, I wonder, about that strategy? Because a failure to hit that high bar could effectively kill off independence for the foreseeable future, could it not?
Independence won't die as long as a substantial portion of the Scottish population wants it, and the debate will only settle when the people have their say.
The Nicola Sturgeon Interview
Q: Does that make independence a more difficult sell?
No, I believe that during uncertain times, gaining more control over one's destiny as a country is more important than ever.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Red Lines

What is Red Lines about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Hard-edged political analysis focused on Northern Ireland and the broader UK–Ireland relationship. Episodes routinely dissect unionist and nationalist dynamics, Brexit fallout, intergovernmental coordination, and strategic messaging from key players in government, media, and academia. The show stands out for its insider-style scrutiny, use of guest experts, and a consistent emphasis on constitutional questions and cross-border cooperation, making it a likely go-to for listeners who want clarity on complex NI politics and its UK-wide implications.

Noteworthy aspects include a steady roster of high-profile guests (political insiders, ministers, ambassadors, and scholars) and a commitment to unpacking not just headlines but underlying incenti... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Red Lines?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Red Lines:

1. The BelTel
2. Inside Politics with Hugh Linehan
3. Stormont Sources
4. Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning
5. The State of Us

How many episodes of Red Lines are there?

Red Lines launched 7 years ago and published 245 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Red Lines?

Recent guests on Red Lines include:

1. David McCann
2. Suzanne Breen
3. Jayne McCormick
4. Tom Kelly
5. Jon Tonge
6. Ailsa Henderson
7. Tim Cairns
8. James Hawes

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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