Leaving political office is never going to be easy, but being unceremoniously dumped in full public lair has to be a bit of a nightmare. And so it is for Arlene Foster, the now former leader of the DUP, though still for the time being anyway, First Minister of Northern Ireland. She's made it clear she intends to leave the DUP and active politics, but at just 50, she could well have a second

career ahead of her in the public eye if she wants it. So how might she choose to fill her time

in the years ahead? And what are the challenges that go with the shift from public figure to private

citizen? Gareth, how's she coping? Well, from the conversations I conversations I've had with her, all the colours of the rainbow, really, shocked, angry, sad, relieved, a bit mischievous, optimistic, wistful, pessimistic, frustrated, fearful, but also intrigued about what the future may bring for her. Just a little bit of everything.

Yeah, and that's what we're going to talk about a little bit more in this podcast. Henry,

again, we're going to talk about this in more detail. You had lunch with her recently for an article you wrote.

What's your impression of how she's approaching the challenge?

Yeah, I agree with Gareth that she's torn. I mean, I think she can rationalise it to herself as, you know, one door closes and another opens. But I think that that doesn't really help in the short term when you feel pretty bitter about the way you've been treated and where you still feel like you have things to say on the career you're leaving.

Anna, what's your take on the challenge Arlene Foster is

facing? I think she's got an awful lot more to offer, especially in these really difficult

times for the union. And I hope she's not leaving the stage completely. Well, it's a transition

that few people have to make, but Arlene Foster is right in the

middle of it at the moment, and that's what we're discussing on this week's red lines with our

political correspondent, Gareth Gordon, the Financial Times Chief Features writer Henry Mance,

and the former MP Anna Subrey. Welcome to you all. Garret, let's just, if we can,

rattle through the substantial list of possible opportunities now open to Mrs Foster.

A lot of these have been in the public square already.

You can sort the sublime from the ridiculous.

The most prevalent one is that she'll end up in the House of Lords.

Yes, Arlene Foster has always eyed Westminster.

I think she would have preferred to go there as an MP.

One problem she had there, of course, is that for Manas South Turone is a marginal,

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