Mark Carruthers is joined by Gareth Gordon, John Campbell, Mark Devenport and David McCann to look back on an eventful five years and 200 episodes of Red Lines.

Mark Carruthers is joined by Phillip Brett, Connie Egan, Steve Aiken, Matthew O'Toole, Claire Sugden and Mark Devenport to discuss Stormont's new Programme for Government.

Mark Carruthers chats to Denis Bradley about his political influences & inspirations.

Mark Carruthers chats to Sinn Féin's Máirtín Ó Muilleoir about his political influences & inspirations.

Mark Carruthers chats to Edwin Poots about his political influences & inspirations. This conversation was recorded before the recent trouble in south Belfast.

Mark Carruthers chats to SDLP MP Claire Hanna about her political influences & inspirations.

Mark Carruthers is joined by David McCann, Suzanne Breen and Jayne McCormack to look back at what caused the big surprises in the general election.

Mark Carruthers is joined by David McCann, Enda McClafferty and David Young to assess another three Westminster constituencies.

Mark Carruthers is joined by David McCann, Brendan Hughes and Suzanne Breen to look at the race for Westminster in four more constituencies.

Mark Carruthers is joined by David McCann, Jayne McCormack and Stephen Walker to look at the Westminster race in three more constituencies.

Mark Carruthers is joined by David McCann, Suzanne Breen and Gareth Gordon to assess the candidates running for Westminster in Lagan Valley, Upper Bann and Newry & Armagh.

Mark Carruthers is joined by David McCann, Enda McClafferty & Freya McClements the candidates running for Westminster in Foyle & East Londonderry.

Mark Carruthers is joined by David McCann, Jayne McCormack and Stephen Walker to assess the candidates running for Westminster in North Down, South Down and Strangford.

Will Rishi Sunak's Rwanda policy impact the local elections in the Republic?

DUP founding member Wallace Thompson tells Mark Caruthers about his changing political views and how other unionists have told him they agree a united Ireland is "inevitable".

Mark Carruthers is joined by Deirdre Hargey, Jonathan Buckley, Eóin Tennyson, John Stewart, Matthew O'Toole and Gerry Carroll to discuss the perilous state of Stormont finances.

Mark Carruthers asks Gareth Gordon, Suzanne Breen and David McCann for their General Election predictions.

Mark Carruthers is joined by Jayne McCormack, David McCann and MLAs Sorcha Eastwood, Mike Nesbitt and Colin McGrath to discuss Casement Park, Assembly tensions and Dublin money.

Mark is joined by Gareth Gordon & a few MLAs as Stormont gets back up and running.

First broadcast in August 2022: Mark Carruthers talks to Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill about her life in politics.

Who is actually running Northern Ireland?

Mark Carruthers reviews the year with the stars of 'The Long And The Short Of It', Tim McGarry and Dr David Hume, and Prof Deirdre Heenan, Newton Emerson and Gareth Gordon.

What would unionism look like if it realigned into two new parties? A traditional one and the other more socially liberal. Darran Marshall asks the experts.

Ahead of the party's ard fheis, the panel discuss what's next for Sinn Féin? Mark is joined by Elaine Loughlin, Brian Feeney & Newton Emerson.

Mark Carruthers asks Enda McClafferty, Suzanne Breen and Chris Donnelly if the DUP Leader has actually played a difficult political game very skilfully.

Former PSNI Chief Constable Sir George Hamilton speaks exclusively to Mark Carruthers about the crisis in policing. With analysis from Allison Morris & Dr Jonny Byrne

Mark Carruthers talks to Eamonn McCann about his influences & inspirations.

Mark Carruthers talks to actor Ciarán Hinds about his influences & inspirations.

Mark Carruthers talks to Baroness Hoey about her influences & inspirations.

Mark Carruthers talks to Joe Brolly about his influences & inspirations.

Mark Carruthers asks Suzanne Breen, Brendan Hughes and Jayne McCormack to predict the political future in Belfast, London and Dublin.

Mark and guests chat about how museums tell the stories of The Troubles.

Does Ireland's long-standing policy of neutrality remain fit for purpose in an ever-changing global landscape? Mark Carruthers is joined by John O'Brennan, Professor of European Politics at Maynooth University, Dr Karen Devine a lecturer in International Relations at Dublin City University, and Daniel McConnell, the Editor of the Business Post.

Mark and guests assess the political landscape in Scotland.

Assessing the state of the economies in Northern Ireland & the Republic.

Mark Carruthers speaks to academic and author Aaron Edwards and former BBC NI Political Editor Mark Devenport about how unionists face up to the debate on constitutional change.

Mark Carruthers speaks to newly-returned Derry City and Strabane Councillors Ryan McCready, Lilian Seenoi-Barr and Shaun Harkin.

What impact could the local election results have on the battle for Westminster seats?

Mark Carruthers is joined by Jon Tonge, Professor of Politics at the University of Liverpool, freelance writer and broadcaster, Amanda Ferguson and BBC NI Political correspondent,Gareth Gordon

After looking at the challenges facing both nationalism and unionism in the run up to the local council election, Mark is joined by David McCann, Deputy Editor of Slugger O'Toole, Suzanne Breen, the Belfast Telegraph's Political Editor and BBC NI's Political Editor, Enda McClafferty to discuss the issues confronting the 'other' parties as they prepare to contest 462 seats across 11 council areas.

Mark Carruthers profiles the issues within nationalism with Dr David McCann, Jayne McCormack & Brendan Hughes ahead of the local government election.

Mark Caruthers profiles the issues within unionism with Dr David McCann, Sam McBride and Gareth Gordon ahead of the local government election.

World leaders past and present were at Queen's University this week to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. Mark Carruthers is joined by former Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern,Tony Blair's former Chief of Staff, Jonathan Powell, Professor Monica McWilliams,and Ireland Professor of Poetry, Paul, Muldoon, to discuss how the currently stalled process might get back on track.

Mark and guests chat about US presidential visits to Northern Ireland

There was a lot of heavy-lifting done by a lot of people to make the Good Friday Agreement happen, but some key individuals shouldered more of the burden than others. Mark Carruthers is joined by David Kerr, the former Director of Communications with the UUP, his opposite number in the SDLP, Conall McDevitt, Kate Fearon who was the Women's Coalitions's Chief of Staff and Mark Simpson, who covered the negotiations for BBC NI .

Recorded in front of a live audience as guests of the Imagine! Belfast Festival, Mark Carruthers is joined by Suzanne Breen, Political Editor of the Belfast Telegraph, Mark Devenport, former Political Editor of BBC NI and Gareth Gordon, Political Correspondent with BBC NI, to discuss the challenges of political journalism over the last 25 years.

Mark Carruthers talks to writer Owen McCafferty, director Charlie Westenra and stars Dan Gordon and Andrea Irvine.

Mark Carruthers is joined by the BBC's Disinformation and Social Media Correspondent, Marianna Spring, BBC NI's Health Correspondent, Marie-Louise Connolly and Professor Deirdre Heenan to talk about their experiences dealing with online abuse and discuss what more platforms can do to try and stop it.

Mark Carruthers assesses the Windsor Framework and whether the DUP will accept it with Gareth Gordon, John Campbell and Suzanne Breen.

Mark Carruthers is joined by Bronagh Hinds, one of the founding members of the Women's Coalition, Dawn Purvis, a former MLA and leader of the Progressive Unionist Party, Kathleen Stephens, the former US Consul General in Belfast and Liz O’Donnell, a former Progressive Democrat TD and Minister of State in the Department of Foreign Affairs plus of course Mark Simpson who was the BBC Political Correspondent covering the negotiations.

What are the big decisions facing the DUP & Sir Jeffrey Donaldson?

Mark & guests discuss the recent anti-migrant protests in the Republic.

Mark Carruthers speaks to MLAs Patricia O'Lynn, Diane Forsythe and Mike Nesbitt about what they've been doing while Stormont hasn't been sitting.

Mark Carruthers looks back on the Good Friday Agreement with journalists Mark Simpson, David Davin-Power, Martin Fletcher and former NIO official Mary Madden.

Mark Carruthers is joined by BBC NI's Economics and Business Editor, John Campbell, RTE's Europe Editor, Tony Connelly, Jess Sargeant from the Institute for Government, to discuss not the details of a potential deal but the process of getting all sides across the line.

Mark Carruthers asks Jayne McCormack, John Campbell and Marie-Louise Connolly to predict what lies ahead this year.

Mark Carruthers asks Tim McGarry, Enda McClafferty, Deirdre Heenan and Newton Emerson to cast their minds back to the highlights of 2022.

Leo Varadkar returns as Taoiseach this weekend. Where might Micheál Martin go?

Mark Carruthers asks Sheila Davidson from Together UK, former MLA John McCallister and Prof Jon Tonge what the future holds for civic unionism.

Mark Carruthers asks Sir Malcolm McKibbin, Jayne McCormack and Newton Emerson how far civil servants can go without a government in Northern Ireland.

Mark Carruthers speaks to political editor Enda McClafferty, columnist Fionnuala O Connor and former special adviser Brendan Mulgrew about the state of the SDLP.

Mark Carruthers speaks to Sir David Sterling, Jess Sargeant & Sam McBride about the running of NI’s nine government departments in the absence of Stormont ministers.

Mark Carruthers speaks to Simon Hamilton, Grace Boyle, Chris McCracken & Sophia Campbell about Belfast city centre's future - in the atrium of the UU's new building in York St.

Mark Carruthers asks Political Editor Enda McClafferty, RTE's Northern Editor Vincent Kearney and Belfast Telegraph Political Editor Suzanne Breen if we're having an election.

Mark Caruthers is joined by Jayne McCormack, Sam McBride and Ailbhe Rea to ask if we're hurtling towards a December Assembly election.

Mark Carruthers speaks to authors Malachi O'Doherty, Claire Mitchell and Ben Collins about their recent books and views on the constitutional question.

Mark Carruthers is joined by Prof Katy Hayward from QUB, Ray O' Hanlon, Editor of the Irish Echo and Gareth Gordon to find out about Derek Chollet and what he's been doing here.

Following the Conservative Party conference, Mark Carruthers speaks to Dominic Grieve, Kate Devlin, Kelly Beaver and Enda McClafferty.

New challenges for a new party leader and a mini budget with a lot consequences

A new Prime Minister, a new Secretary of State and a new Monarch - but what's changed?

Mark Carruthers chats to ex-minister Claire Sugden about her influences & inspirations

Mark Carruthers chats to Bernadette McAliskey about her influences & inspirations

Mark Carruthers chats to NIO Minister Conor Burns about his influences & inspirations

Mark Carruthers chats to Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill about her influences & inspirations.

Mark & guests discuss the PM's resignation and what it means for Northern Ireland?

Mark Carruthers speaks to Tánaiste Leo Varadkar about the Northern Ireland Protocol, north-south relations and the battle for the Dáil.

Mark Carruthers and panel reflect on the year in politics from the Duncairn centre

Six years on from the Brexit referendum - how secure is the Union?

The former education minister chats to Mark about losing his Stormont seat & what's next.

Mark Carruthers is joined by Nick Watt, Kate Devlin, Alex Massie and Gareth Gordon to reflect on another memorable week at Westminster.

Former SDLP deputy leader Dolores Kelly chats to Mark about losing her Upper Bann seat.

3 weeks after losing his seat in North Antrim, Mervyn Storey speaks to Mark Carruthers

Boris Johnson says NI has always been a place in its own right - Mark & guests discuss

Mark Carruthers reflects on the Assembly election with David McCann, Seanín Graham and Ben Lowry. And Jayne McCormack pops in with an update on the post-election positioning.

Mark Carruthers is joined by Enda McClafferty, Jayne McCormack and Mark Simpson to look at the final stages of the Assembly election campaign.

Mark Carruthers and guests assess the four Belfast constituencies ahead of the election.

Mark Carruthers and guests assess two constituencies ahead of the Assembly election.

Mark Carruthers and guests assess three constituencies ahead of the Assembly election.

Mark Carruthers and guests assess three constituencies ahead of the Assembly election.

Mark Carruthers and guests assess three constituencies ahead of the Assembly election.

In the first of our election specials Mark Carruthers is joined by Gareth Gordon, David McCann and Dr Clare Rice to profile three Assembly constituencies.

Mark Carruthers fires the starting gun on our Assembly election coverage with Suzanne Breen, David McCann and Jayne McCormack.

Mark Carruthers asks Dr Clare Rice, former MLA John McCallister and Dr Sean Haughey if the Stormont institutions are fit for purpose?

Weeks away from the Assembly election, what state is political nationalism in?

A feel-good memoir of a challenging time? What are the politics of Belfast - the film?

How does the government get its message across during a political crisis?

Can art catalyse political change?

What's changed since the last election? Rev Steve Stockman and Fr Martin Magill reflect

Mark Carruthers is in Dublin to talk to Daniel McConnell, Michael Brennan and Lucinda Creighton about how the rise of Sinn Féin in the Republic continues.

Mark Carruthers asks Marie-Louise Connolly, John Campbell and Enda McClafferty to predict what's going to happen in the coming year.

Mark Carruthers discusses the big stories of the year with Gareth Gordon, Deirdre Heenan, Newton Emerson and Tim McGarry.

Susan McKay, Henry McDonald & David Torrans pick their local literary highlights of 2021

Which southern stories cut through in the northern news cycle - and why?

Mark Carruthers takes to the streets with historian Colm Ó Dóghair and Gemma Reid from the Belfast Entries Project.

Assessing how the latest polls might translate on election day. Mark chats to Suzanne Breen, David McCann, and Peter Donaghy.

Mark Carruthers discusses the current state of relations between the UK and the Republic with historian Diarmaid Ferriter and former Conservative Minister, Michael Portillo.

Andrea Catherwood and Allan Little chat constitutional change in Scotland and NI

Change makers, influencers and activists who have made their mark in NI

It's time to pause, review the past few weeks & look ahead to what's coming up.

Mark Carruthers is joined by Glenn Patterson and Brian McGilloway who've written books and articles galore about the people and the politics of Ireland north and south.

Mark Carruthers is joined by the BBC's former Ireland Correspondents, Mark Simpson & James Helm, plus the New Statesman's Political Correspondent, Ailbhe Rea, to discuss the challenges of reporting the politics of this place

Mark Carruthers is joined by Gareth Gordon, Julia Langdon and former NIO Minister, Sir Richard Needham to ask whether Northern Ireland still matters to the Conserative Party.

Mark & guests discuss Northern Ireland's electoral pacts of the past and present.

Mark & guests review how the Dublin media report on stories from & about Northern Ireland

Mark Carruthers is joined by libel lawyer Paul Tweed, the Belfast Telegraph's Sam McBride and former journalist and now Ulster Unionist MLA, Mike Nesbitt, to discuss his Private Members' Bill on updating defamation law in Northern Ireland.

With a new term at Stormont and an election on the way - Mark Carruthers as is joined by Health Correspondent, Marie-Louise Connolly, Business & Economics Editor, John Campbell & Political Editor, Enda McClafferty to discuss the challenges ahead.

Mark is joined by BBC's Mark Simpson, Belfast Telegraph's Suzanne Breen & the News Letter's Sam McBride

Mark chats to Enda McClafferty, Suzanne Breen & Chris Donnelly about Sinn Féin's Stormont strategy.

Mark Carruthers asks Peter Sheridan from Co-Operation Ireland, Professor Deirdre Heenan and Washington commentator Shane Greer who best speaks for Northern Ireland in Washington.

What will Arlene Foster do next? Mark chats to the FT's Henry Mance, former MP Anna Soubry & BBC News NI's Gareth Gordon.

Mark Carruthers is joined by the Belfast Telegraph's Suzanne Breen, data analyst Peter Donaghy and Slugger O'Toole's David McCann to crunch the numbers on the latest poll.

Mark Carruthers asks BBC Political Correspondent Gareth Gordon and Political Editors, Suzanne Breen and Sam McBride - "What's just happened in the DUP?"

Mark is joined by commentator Chris Donnelly, ex-MLA Daithí McKay & the Irish Times' Mary Minihan to discuss Sinn Féin's problem in Foyle and look ahead to next year's election

Mark Carruthers discusses Unionism and Protestantism with writers Susan McKay and Claire Mitchell, a member of the Green Party.

Mark Devenport & Ken Reid join Mark to assess Arlene Foster's leadership of the DUP.

"There's as much chance of taking politics out of health as there were attempts this week to take England's top football teams out of the Premier League"

Mark Carruthers reflects on a difficult week in politics with Brian Rowan, Fionnuala O Connor and Ben Lowry.

Mark Carruthers takes the political temperature at Stormont with Stephen Walker, Jayne McCormack, Allison Morris and Tim Cairns.

Assessing the debate around a united Ireland & a border poll - from the Republic.

Enda Kenny & Sir Christopher Meyer reminisce about US St Patrick's Day celebrations.

Mark Carruthers speaks to the BBC's former Head of TV News, Roger Mosey about the difficulties journalists face in maintaining neutrality.

What makes a good Troubles drama?

Mark Carruthers speaks to Jayne McCormack, Sam McBride and behavioural economist Prof Pete Lunn about different strategies to move out of lockdown.

Time to catch our political breath...?

Mark Carruthers is joined by former BBC presenter Gavin Esler, Scottish journalist Alex Massie and Irish writer Mary Kenny to ask how successfully the UK is holding together.

Mark & guests discuss the fallout from the EU's decision to trigger Article 16

How has the relationship between Stormont & Dublin impacted on the battle with covid19?

Mark Carruthers speaks to Ambassador Richard Haass, Prof Clodagh Harrington, Shane Greer and Chris Buckler about how Donald Trump has changed the US Presidency.

Mark Carruthers asks three of the newest faces at Stormont how they have coped with an almost virtual parliament.

Has the DUP fired the starting gun on its 2022 election campaign?

Mark Carruthers is joined by Health Correspondent, Marie-Louise Connolly, Jayne McCormack and Enda McClafferty to look back on what a global pandemic has changed in 2020.

Mark Carruthers discusses deal-making in Brussels and Belfast with Gareth Gordon, columnist Mary Kelly and former Number 10 spin doctor Tom Kelly.

Mark Carruthers is joined by former Victims' Commissioner Judith Thompson, Rev Dr Lesley Carroll from the Eames Bradley Group, and Alan McBride from the WAVE Trauma Centre.

Mark Carruthers is joined by Professor Pete Shirlow, columnist Andrée Murphy and Professor Duncan Morrow to discuss marking the centenary of Northern Ireland.

Mark Carruthers is joined by Sam McBride, Suzanne Breen and John Manley to ask if the system of government at Stormont makes fighting a global pandemic impossible.

Mark Carruthers is joined by Fintan O'Toole, Norman Houston and Brendan O'Neill to discuss the new man heading to the White House.

Mark C is joined by Lesley Riddoch, David Maddox & Patrick Maguire.

Mark Carruthers chats to Suzanne Breen, Chris Donnelly and Newton Emerson.

Gareth Gordon, Enda McClafferty, Jayne McCormack and Stephen Walker join Mark Carruthers to interrogate and tease the outgoing BBC NI Political Editor, Mark Devenport.

Polly Toynbee, John Sergeant & Alex Massie assess 6 months of Boris Johnson's leadership

Mark speaks to Shane Greer, Fintan O'Toole and Marion McKeone about the American election

Mark Carruthers asks John Campbell, Jess Sargeant, Newton Emerson and Naomi O'Leary if the Brexit talks are approaching crunch time.

Mark Carruthers speaks to former President of Ireland, Mary McAleese about her time in office, her wish to see reform in the Catholic Church and sexism in politics.

Mark Carruthers is joined by Suzanne Breen, Nichola Mallon and Sorcha Eastwood to discuss how women in politics still face sexual harassment.

Mark is joined by columnists Mary Kenny, Fintan O'Toole & BBC's John Campbell.

Mark speaks to Sir Declan Morgan, NI's Lord Chief Justice

Mark chats to the former NI Secretary Julian Smith

A chance to listen to the full extended version of Mark's interview with the Taoiseach

Mark Carruthers is joined by Mary Kelly, Stephen Grimason and Mark Simpson to compare Stormont's latest crisis with some of the big stories of the past.

The Good Friday Agreement is his "guiding star".

Michael Portillo talks to Mark Carruthers and UCD historian, Prof Diarmaid Ferriter about his new RTE series 'Hawks and Doves', examining the Irish War Of Independence.

The end of Civil War politics in the Republic of Ireland?

Mark and guests discuss Brexit, Barnier & a return of Crazy Prices.

Mark Carruthers is joined by Gareth Gordon, Suzanne Breen, Sam McBride and Brendan Hughes, to rate the Stormont Ministers' performance during the coronavirus crisis.

Mark is joined by Lesley Riddoch, Alex Massie & Martin Kettle.

Mark Carruthers chats to the new US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland With analysis from Mark Devenport.

Mark Carruthers is joined by regulars Gareth Gordon and John Campbell, BBC NI Health Correspondent Marie-Louise Connolly, and former political advisers Tom Kelly and Guto Harri.

Mark Carruthers is joined by former British Ambassador to the US and Germany, Sir Christopher Meyer, and the Former Irish Ambassador to the UK and Italy, Bobby McDonagh and the BBC's Europe Editor, Katya Adler.

Mark Carruthers is joined by John Sergeant, Polly Toynbee and Guto Harri to talk communicating with the public during a pandemic.

Mark & his guests discuss how politicians are reacting to the coronavirus pandemic.

Mark Carruthers is joined by regulars Mark Devenport, John Campbell and Enda McClafferty, along with RTE's Legal Affairs turned Covid 19 correspondent, Orla O'Donnell.

Mark Carruthers is joined by RTE's Miriam O'Callaghan, writer Declan Lawn and BBC NI Political Editor Mark Devenport to look at how society and is dealing with lockdown.

Discussing the interactions between media & politicians during the coronavirus outbreak

Mark is joined by Conor Macauley, Mary Kelly & Stephen Grimason to examine the RHI report

Mark, Gareth, Enda & Mary chat St Patrick's Day trips to the USA.

Irish News columnist Mary Kelly, Green Party Leader Clare Bailey and Wendy Blundell from the Institution of Civil Engineers look at women in public life with Mark Carruthers.

Mark Carruthers talks trade and customs with Economics and Business Editor John Campbell, Patrick Maguire from the New Statesman and international trade expert Dr Anna Jerzewska.

Mark, Gareth & Jayne are joined by Julian Smith's former special adviser.

Mark Carruthers is joined by columnist Mary Kelly, Irish News political correspondent John Manley and unionist commentator Sarah Creighton.

Mark Carruthers is in Dublin to talk about the election with Mary Minihan from the Irish Times, Mary Regan from RTÉ and Virgin Media's Gavan Reilly.

Mark Carruthers is joined by John Campbell in Belfast and the BBC's Europe Editor Gavin Lee and Shona Murray of Euronews from Brussels.

Mark Carruthers is joined by Mary Kelly, John Campbell and Mark Devenport to look at Special Advisers, revenue raising and an MLA pay rise.

Mark Carruthers is joined at Stormont by freelance journalist Amanda Ferguson, Economics and Business Editor, John Campbell, and Political Correspondent Stephen Walker.

Mark Carruthers is joined by Gareth Gordon, Jayne McCormack and the Press Association's Ireland Editor, David Young.

Mark Carruthers is joined by Tara Mills, William Crawley and Enda McClafferty to look back at a remarkable General Election.

Mark Carruthers is joined by the Belfast Telegraph's Suzanne Breen, John Manley from the Irish News, Gareth Gordon - who left the News Letter 28 years ago - and Mark Devenport.

Mark Devenport, Jayne McCormack and Mary Kelly join Mark Carruthers to look at the Alliance Party's election profiles.

Mark Devenport, Stephen Walker and Mary Kelly join Mark Carruthers to look at the DUP's election prospects.

Mark Devenport, Enda McClafferty and Suzanne Breen join Mark Carruthers to look at Sinn Féin's election prospects.

Mark Devenport, Enda McClafferty and Freya McClements join Mark Carruthers to look at the SDLP's election prospects.

Mark Devenport, Gareth Gordon and Sarah Creighton join Mark Carruthers to look at the UUP's election prospects.

Mark Carruthers is joined by regulars Mark Devenport and Enda McClafferty and BBC Scotland Editor, Sarah Smith.

After a memorable - but brief - return to Stormont we discuss the day's events and other big moments on the hill.

A special Red Lines episode on the day the UK and EU agree a Brexit deal. But can it get through parliament without the DUP?

Mark and three top journalists and authors on writing a bestseller, nailing the story and getting the scoop.

The double-edged sword of social media

Marmalade madness as Enda makes it to Belfast.

The Champions League final for constitutional lawyers

A bridge over troubled political waters? Red Lines looks at the connections between Northern Ireland and Scotland and asks whether a bridge is the obvious next step.

Barnier, bigfooting and, as ever, the backstop.