Episode 1 – The Importance of being Irish

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

Om Podcasten

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 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.