Explore every episode of the podcast Borderland – UK or United Ireland?
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Episode 2 – The Importance of Being British | 08 Oct 2025 | 00:45:21 | |
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 different views of the future and help facilitate discussion about them. In this second episode Ian sets out his argument against any future border poll and hears from Loyalist bandsmen who feel their sense of Britishness is being eroded. Michelle’s political outlook is Republican and she will argue for Northern Ireland becoming part of the Republic of Ireland. Get in touch: Borderland@bbc.co.uk | |||
| Episode 1 – The Importance of Being Irish | 08 Oct 2025 | 00:45:37 | |
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 podcast will include multiple views and voices, including those with no settled view on what Northern Ireland’s constitutional future should be. The series will explore and discuss the practicalities of any referendum and why it’s worth hearing and talking about. In this first episode Michelle outlines why she believes there should be a border poll and Chris takes them to meet Irish language speakers who tell them why it the language means so much to them and their sense of Irishness. Get in touch : Borderland@bbc.co.uk | |||
| Episode 3 – The Middle Ground | 15 Oct 2025 | 00:45:14 | |
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 Ireland but could be persuaded. We speak to Alliance Party leader Naomi Long and the leader of the Northern Ireland Green Party Mal O’Hara. Latest polling shows an increase in those who see themselves as Northern Irish – how would they vote in any future Border Referendum? | |||
| Episode 4 – The Price of Unity | 21 Oct 2025 | 00:45:35 | |
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 economic reality of any future United Ireland. | |||
| Episode 5 – English Nationalism and the NHS | 29 Oct 2025 | 00:43:47 | |
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 future of the health service still an issue that could sway voters in any future Border Poll? | |||
| Episode 6 – The Campaign | 05 Nov 2025 | 00:39:53 | |
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 independence referendum in 2014. | |||
| Episode 7 – Stirring Up Troubles | 12 Nov 2025 | 00:44:24 | |
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 the Belfast peace wall to get the views of former Republican and Loyalist prisoners. He also speaks to RTE broadcaster and comedian Oliver Callan. | |||
| Episode 8 - Come Together | 19 Nov 2025 | 00:50:52 | |
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 podcast journey. | |||