North, east and south Antrim are the three constituencies under the microscope.

In this latest Red Lines conversation ahead of May's Assembly election, this is the third podcast of six, in which we're looking in detail at some of the big-name candidates and the issues in all 18 constituencies.

With me today, our resident number cruncher David McCann from Slugger O'Toole, our political

correspondent Stephen Walker and the Belfast Telegraph and Irish Independence Northern Ireland editor

Sam McBride. Welcome to all of you, David. First of all, let's start with North Antrim.

And this constituency offers the prospect of a pretty fascinating intra-unionist battle for votes.

Yes, absolutely. So it is one of the most solidlyist battle for votes. Yes, absolutely.

So it is one of the most solidly unionist constituencies in Northern Ireland.

The DUP have consistently since 2011 taken north of 40% of the first preference vote.

So again, it has been traditionally very strong for them.

Also, it's a bit unique amongst

constituencies in that the TUV are actually the second unionist party in the constituency

at the last election. The TV pulled 16% to the Ulster Unionist 12.5%. So it'll be fascinating

to see some of the big beasts up there. So you've got Robin Swan, who last time we were talking about him potentially being under threat in North Antrim. No one is saying that this time.

He's had a massively enhanced profile during his time as health minister and the Austrianists

are incredibly confident in expecting him to pull incredibly well. But on the other side of that,

outside the DEP fold, you've got Jim Alster, who is running up there as well. TV leader, again, through the protocol. He's always had a high profile, but again, he's had an enhanced one over the last two years and has been buoyed by recent polls. The Austroenists are running two candidates this time. Bethany Ferris is running with Robin Swan, and Matthew Armstrong is running with Jim Alistair so they are both trying to make up

ground mostly at the expense of

the DUP who are only running two candidates

this time. They ran three. They had three incumbent

DEMLA's last time. Paul for a Mervyn story

are seeking re-election but it'll be fascinating to see where the votes go

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