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Across the Red Line

Anne McElvoy is joined by two figures on opposing sides of a political issue. Working with conflict resolution expert Gabrielle Rifkind, she invites them to listen to each other.

Radio 4,37 episodes

Episodes

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Series 8
Anne McElvoy explores rising UK defence spending with military and anti-nuclear voices in sharp disagreement.
Do rising defence costs secure Britain's future or threaten its values?
21 Aug 2025,28 mins
Series 8
Anne McElvoy hosts a debate on chemical castration: justice reform or ethical overreach for offenders
Anne McElvoy explores chemical castration for sex offenders. Is it ethical or necessary?
14 Aug 2025,28 mins
Series 8
Cousin marriage: tradition or risk? Anne McElvoy explores this divisive issue with two expert guests.
Cousin Marriage - its cultural roots, medical risks and legal future with Anne McElvoy.
07 Aug 2025,28 mins
Series 7
Should national service be reintroduced? - with former defence minister Tobias Ellwood and president of the NUS Amira Campbell
Former defence minister Tobias Ellwood & NUS president Amira Campbell on national service.
22 Aug 2024,28 mins
Series 7
Transgender athletes in sport with Olympian Sharron Davies & racing driver & trans activist Charlie Martin
Sharron Davies and Charlie Martin discuss their red lines on trans athletes in sport
15 Aug 2024,28 mins
Series 7
Should obesity be classed as a disease? with oncologist Karol Sikora and obesity campaigner Sarah Le Brocq
Karol Sikora and Sarah Le Brocq negotiate their red lines on whether obesity is a disease.
08 Aug 2024,28 mins
It can be necessary to be a public nuisance in pursuit of a higher cause
Anne McElvoy invites figures on opposed sides of a political issue to listen to each other
25 Jul 2023,28 mins
The Boomers have had it too good
Anne McElvoy invites figures on opposed sides of a political issue to listen to each other
18 Jul 2023,28 mins
Immigration is good for British society
Anne McElvoy invites figures on opposed sides of a political issue to listen to each other
11 Jul 2023,28 mins
Is having a public profile rewarding?
Anne McElvoy invites figures on opposed sides of an issue to listen to each other.
30 Aug 2022,42 mins
Is private education divisive?
Anne McElvoy invites figures on opposed sides of an issue to listen to each other.
23 Aug 2022,42 mins
Can going on strike any longer be justified?
Anne McElvoy invites figures on opposed sides of an issue to listen to each other.
16 Aug 2022,42 mins
Series 6
Does society need elites?
Anne McElvoy and two guests, opposed on a major issue, explore each other's perspective.
12 Aug 2021,28 mins
Series 6
Does consumerism rot the soul?
Anne McElvoy and two guests, opposed on a major issue, explore each other's perspective.
05 Aug 2021,28 mins
Series 6
When the Queen's reign ends, should we abolish the monarchy?
Anne McElvoy and two guests, opposed on a major issue, explore each other's perspective.
29 Jul 2021,28 mins
Series 6
Are the BBC's flaws a price worth paying?
Anne McElvoy invites two guests, opposed on a major issue, to explore each other's views.
22 Jul 2021,28 mins
Series 6
Can we trust the police?
Anne McElvoy invites figures on opposed sides of a political issue to listen to each other
15 Jul 2021,28 mins
Series 6
Has Centrist Dad had his day?
Anne McElvoy invites figures on opposed sides of a political issue to listen to each other
01 Jul 2021,28 mins
Series 5
Are American approaches to combating racism worth trying in Britain?
Anne McElvoy invites figures on opposed sides of a political issue to listen to each other
04 Nov 2020,42 mins
Series 5
Do we need to learn to live with more risk?
Anne McElvoy invites those on opposing sides of political issues to listen to each other.
28 Oct 2020,42 mins
Series 5
Does impartiality impede good journalism?
LBC presenter James O'Brien and ex-Head of BBC TV News Roger Mosey debate impartiality.
21 Oct 2020,42 mins
Series 5
Should politicians stop worrying about 'hard-working families'?
Ex-ministers Caroline Flint and Rory Stewart debate the focus on 'hard-working families'.
14 Oct 2020,42 mins
Series 4
Does identity politics cause more problems than it solves?
Douglas Murray and Nesrine Malik debate, and ask each other about what drives their views.
18 Sep 2019,43 mins
Series 4
Is Discipline the Enemy of Learning?
Katharine Birbalsingh and Dr Debra Kidd debate whether discipline is the enemy of learning
11 Sep 2019,43 mins
Series 4
Does profit corrupt?
FT editor Lionel Barber and Blue Labour founder Lord Glasman debate profit and corruption.
04 Sep 2019,43 mins
Series 3
Is individualism a virtue?
Anne McElvoy invites Sarah Ditum and Kate Andrews to explore each other's perspective.
22 May 2019,43 mins
Series 3
Are referendums good for democracy?
Anne McElvoy invites Isabel Oakeshott and Matthew Parris to explore each other's views.
15 May 2019,43 mins
Series 3
Is the mainstream media a force for good in society?
Anne McElvoy invites Emma Tucker and Richard Seymour to explore each other's perspective.
08 May 2019,43 mins
Series 3
Should cultural artefacts be returned to their country of origin?
The return of the series that invites two opposed public figures to listen to each other.
01 May 2019,43 mins
Series 2
Is Tax a Burden?
Anne McElvoy, with Gabrielle Rifkind, invites two opposed figures to listen to each other.
22 Aug 2018,43 mins