BBC Radio Ulster

Borderland – UK or United Ireland?

News EN ↓ 8 episodes

Borderland – UK or United Ireland ?’ podcast will ask key questions about the shape and timing of any potential referendum on Irish unity and what all of this could mean for politics and society – both locally and across these islands. The BBC’s Chris Buckler is the podcast’s lead presenter and the series will be co-hosted by two high-profile former politicians, Ian Paisley and Michelle Gildernew who will act as advocates for different views of the future and help facilitate discussion about them. The podcast will include multiple views and voices, including those with no settled view on what...

Author

BBC Radio Ulster

Category

News

Podcast website

www.bbc.co.uk

Latest episode

Nov 19, 2025

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Episodes

Episode 8 - Come Together 19.11.2025

In this final episode, the team are in Belfast and Dublin to find out if and how a united Ireland would work. Chris Buckler takes former MPs Michelle Gildernew and Ian Paisley to the Irish Parliament, where they get the views from politicians there. A panel of experts also discuss the practicalities and pitfalls of any future united Ireland. The two co-hosts reflect on the last few weeks of their...

Episode 7 – Stirring Up Troubles 12.11.2025

Chris Buckler, along with former MPs Ian Paisley and Michelle Gildernew, explores issues around the constitutional future of Northern Ireland. In this episode Chris looks at the potential risks to peace and years of political progress if a Border Poll was held. What would it mean for the fragile power-sharing Northern Ireland Assembly ? He hears from a former PSNI Chief Constable and travels to th...

Episode 6 – The Campaign 05.11.2025

The Campaign. Chris Buckler, along with former MPs Ian Paisley and Michelle Gildernew, explore issues around the constitutional future of Northern Ireland. What could campaigners from both sides of the border poll argument learn from the experiences of some of the biggest referenda of modern times. Chris brings his co-hosts to Edinburgh to find out what lessons can be learned from the Scottish ind...

Episode 5 – English Nationalism and the NHS 29.10.2025

English nationalism and the NHS. Chris Buckler, along with former MPs Ian Paisley and Michelle Gildernew, explore issues around the constitutional future and status of Northern Ireland. Chris travels to England to hear the views of people there. Would they care if Northern Ireland left the UK ? and the NHS has long been cited by unionists as one of the key practical advantages of the Union. Is the...

Episode 4 – The Price of Unity 21.10.2025

Presenter Chris Buckler along with former MP’s Ian Paisley and Michelle Gildernew explore issues around the constitutional future of Northern Ireland. In Episode 4 - The Price of Unity – Chris takes his co-hosts to Co. Offaly to hear the views of people living there on a potential Border Poll. We also hear from former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. They speak to Economists and business experts on the eco...

Episode 3 – The Middle Ground 15.10.2025

Presenter Chris Buckler along with former MP’s Ian Paisley and Michelle Gildernew explore issues around the constitutional future and status of Northern Ireland. In this episode, they look at the Middle Ground, an increasingly key group in any discussion about a potential Border Poll. We hear from a ‘Panel of Persuadables’ from the middle ground who have yet to make up their mind about a united Ir...

Episode 2 – The Importance of Being British 08.10.2025

Part Two of this new landmark series looking at the constitutional future of Northern Ireland. Presenter Chris Buckler along with two high-profile former MP’s, Ian Paisley and Michelle Gildernew, explore issues around the constitutional future and status of Northern Ireland, and discuss the shape and timing of any potential referendum on Irish unity. The two politicians act as advocates for differ...

Episode 1 – The Importance of Being Irish 08.10.2025

In this new landmark series Presenter Chris Buckler along with two high-profile former MP’s, Ian Paisley and Michelle Gildernew, explore issues around the constitutional future and status of Northern Ireland. The series will discuss the shape and timing of any potential referendum on Irish unity and what all of this could mean for politics and society – both locally and across these islands. The p...

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