Advertise on podcast: Afternoon Empire with Ian Collins

Alex Phillips joins us live from Israel’s Gaza envelope as the country marks the anniversary of the October 7 attacks, reporting from the area around the Gaza border and reflecting on the ongoing conflict and its impact two years on. Back at Conservative Party Conference, Charlie Rowley, Former Tory Special Adviser and Talk Presenter, joins us after Kemi Badenoch’s conference speech. We discuss her warning that the next election will be a “battle for the soul of Britain”, the Conservatives’ direction under Badenoch and the party’s relationship with Reform as the conference draws to a close. We also examine the latest developments around Reform UK after an inquiry cleared staff over an undercover donations sting, and what the row means for the wider political battle on the right. Finally, Mark Littlewood, Director of Popular Conservatism, joins us to discuss the growing benefits bill, with analysis suggesting welfare spending is increasing twice as fast as wages across much of the UK. What is driving the rise in benefits and what does it mean for taxpayers, workers and the future of the welfare system? October 7, Israel, Gaza, Israel-Hamas war, Kemi Badenoch, Conservative Party, Tory Conference, Reform UK, Reform Party, British politics, benefits, welfare, wages, taxpayers, Popular Conservatism. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charlie Rowley sits in for Ian Collins, who returns on Monday. Kemi Badenoch has predicted Andy Burnham could call a general election as early as May of next year. Jonathan Haslam, former director of communications at No.10, joins to give his thoughts on who might win, and whether the prime minister has blown his chances of being elected with his stance on the EU. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charlie Rowley sits in for Ian Collins. As Labour’s early release scheme begins, campaigners warn that victims will be left living in fear if adequate protections are not put in place. Former prison governor Vanessa Frake and rape survivor Jade Belgrove join Charlie to criticise the scheme. In other news, Andy Burnham has said a second Brexit referendum is an option for the UK. David Campbell Bannerman, former Conservative MEP, joins the show to slam the idea. And finally Sally Jones, former BBC presenter, and Caroline Dinenage, chair of the DCMS, give their thoughts on the future of the licence fee. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charlie Rowley sits in for Ian Collins. In his speech to Labour Party Conference yesterday, Andy Burnham announced a major review of the UK’s long term relationship with the EU. Today he said all options were on the table, including re-joining the bloc. Fraser Myers, deputy editor of Spiked Online, and Lance Forman, former Brexit MEP, join the show for analysis. In other news, watchdogs have warned that stalkers are being freed on bail despite repeatedly breaching their tagging orders. Danny Shaw, police and crime commentator, joins to discuss the worrying figures as Labour’s early release scheme is set to begin tomorrow. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charlie Rowley sits in for Ian Collins as the Labour Party Conference gets into full swing. Following Andy Burnham’s headline-grabbing, lectern-free speech, Benedict Spence, Sebastian Salek, Matt Vickers and Richard Tice share their reactions and analysis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charlie Rowley sits in for Ian Collins. Police are investigating an incident outside RAF Fairford after five men were arrested on suspicion of terror offences on Sunday. Charlie is joined by Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, former British Army colonel, who says the unfolding events should be a very uncomfortable wake-up call. Meanwhile, the Labour Party Conference is well under way in Liverpool, and Ryan Shorthouse from Bright Blue joins to comment on Chancellor John Healey's speech. Finally, Fred de Fossard, Director of Strategy at Prosperity Institute, blasts Sadiq Khan's demands that Burnham launch an immediate push for Britain to rejoin the EU. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duncan Barkes sits in for Ian Collins. Downing Street advisers are reportedly pushing for an early general election, while Kemi Badenoch is putting the Conservatives on notice for a possible election within months. Steve N Allen, Comedian & Broadcaster, joins us to ask whether Britain could be heading back to the polls sooner than expected. Kevin Schofield, Political Editor at HuffPost UK, joins the debate over the Government’s election strategy, the Conservatives’ preparations and whether Keir Starmer’s position is becoming increasingly difficult. We also examine Andy Burnham’s response to the continuing small-boat crisis, including his claim that the “only thing to do is to get numbers down”, alongside criticism from Nigel Farage that the Mayor is simply “dithering and waffling”. With more than 83,000 small-boat arrivals since the last general election, the number of arrivals has now surpassed the strength of the regular British Army. Cllr Linden Kemkaran, Leader of Kent County Council and Reform UK Councillor for Maidstone South East, joins us to discuss the impact of the Channel crossings on Kent, the Government’s immigration policy and whether Britain is facing a national emergency. Cllr Adrian Pascu-Tulbure, Conservative Councillor for Parsons Green and Sandford and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Hammersmith and Fulham, joins us after fury over reports that Abu Hamza’s former family home in west London received a £70,000 taxpayer-funded refurbishment. We ask how such spending can be justified and who should ultimately foot the bill. We also look at the political row over Burnham being photographed running past a homeless man, and the wider debate over Labour’s record on homelessness, immigration and public services. Early election, general election, Keir Starmer, Kemi Badenoch, Conservatives, Labour, Andy Burnham, Reform UK, Nigel Farage, immigration, small boats, Channel crossings, Kent, Abu Hamza, taxpayers, British politics, homelessness. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Andy Burnham opens the door to Britain potentially rejoining the EU, we ask whether the UK’s relationship with Europe is becoming more important than the Special Relationship with America. Matthew Bryza, former White House Official, and Mike Galsworthy, Chair of the European Movement UK, debate Britain’s future between the US and EU, the strength of the Special Relationship and whether Brexit is really being reversed. We also ask a more fundamental question: what makes someone English? Montgomery Toms, Founder of Freedom Watch GB, joins us to discuss English identity, patriotism and what it means to belong to England today. And Ben Habib, Chairman of Great British PAC, joins us after a packed migrant dinghy made the 38-hour journey from Normandy to the UK under French naval escort. We examine the latest Channel crossing, protests following the arrival and the wider debate over illegal migration — as an anti-migrant activist is accused of slashing a dinghy while a rescuer was still on board. Andy Burnham, EU, Brexit, rejoining the EU, Special Relationship, America, European Union, English identity, immigration, Channel crossings, migrant boats, France, British politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the next election already shaping the political battle lines, could tactical voting be the key to stopping the left? David Wooding, Columnist at The Sun, joins us to discuss a new poll suggesting Restore Britain could damage Reform’s election hopes — and whether voters on the right will put party loyalty aside to defeat Labour. We also examine Britain’s growing welfare bill, with official figures showing one in five working-age adults are now receiving Universal Credit. David Wooding and Charlie Rowley, former Conservative Special Adviser, discuss the rise in benefit claims and what it says about work, welfare and the state of the economy. New analysis has also found ADHD and autism benefit claims rising fastest in some of England’s wealthiest areas. We debate what is driving the increase and whether the benefits system is being stretched beyond its original purpose. Charlie Rowley also joins us to discuss the latest Channel crossings, after an unescorted dinghy reportedly evaded Border Force and landed at Folkestone, with several migrants allegedly fleeing before police arrived. We examine claims that the Government is losing control of the Channel and why £222 million in fines against firms accused of employing illegal migrants remains uncollected. Tactical voting, Reform UK, Restore Britain, Labour, Conservatives, Universal Credit, welfare, ADHD, autism, immigration, Channel crossings, Border Force, illegal immigration, Home Office, British politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham is reportedly considering an early election as he looks for a mandate for higher taxes, with claims of growing concern over the state of the public finances. We examine proposals for a potential £14 billion capital gains tax increase and what higher taxes could mean for businesses, investors and households. Andrew Allison, Head of Campaigns at Popular Conservatism, Dale Vince, Founder of Ecotricity and a Labour donor, and Kevin Byrne OBE, Founder of Checkatrade, join the debate over Burnham’s tax plans, the economy and the future direction of British politics. We also examine the latest figures showing migrant households receiving a record £12 billion in Universal Credit. Guy Dampier, Senior Researcher on Nationhood at the Prosperity Institute, discusses immigration, benefits and the impact of migrant households on Britain’s welfare system. Andy Burnham, capital gains tax, Labour, early election, public finances, UK economy, taxation, Universal Credit, migrant households, benefits, immigration, British politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the Conservatives struggling to rebuild after years of electoral turmoil, Oscar Reddrop, former No.10 Adviser, joins us to ask whether the party can claw its way back — and whether there is still a future for the Tories as the right of British politics fragments. We look at Andy Burnham’s continued popularity, whether other parties can seriously challenge Labour, and whether the Conservatives and Reform could ever unite the right. We also examine claims that Burnham has borrowed policies from Keir Starmer’s previous survival plan, despite promising a “new path for Britain”. Giles Dilnot, Editor of ConservativeHome, joins the debate on the future of the Conservative Party, Burnham’s political appeal and what the Tories need to do to win back voters. And with Burnham reaffirming his commitment to reaching net zero by 2050, Ben Pile, Co-Founder of Climate Debate UK, examines the future of Britain’s net zero strategy and whether the economic and environmental case for the policy stands up. Conservatives, Tory Party, Reform UK, Andy Burnham, Keir Starmer, Labour, British politics, unite the right, net zero, climate policy, Conservative Party, UK politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Piddington: Is this the turning point on migration? Villagers in Piddington are mounting a growing revolt over plans to house migrants in their community, with campaigners warning that the fightback could spread across the country. Reform and the Conservatives have backed calls for a local referendum, while residents are demanding answers over the impact of migrant accommodation on their communities. Charlie Rowley, former Conservative Special Adviser, joins us to discuss the growing anger in Piddington and whether this could mark a wider turning point in Britain’s immigration debate. Joy Morrissey MP, Shadow Minister for Women & Equalities, examines concerns raised by local women about the proposed migrant camp, including claims that female Labour MPs have failed to respond to residents asking for help. Should women living near migrant accommodation have greater protection and a stronger voice in decisions affecting their communities? We also discuss whether the Piddington campaign could become a national movement, and what it means for Reform, the Conservatives, Labour and the future of Britain’s asylum policy. Finally, Alan Miller, co-founder of the Together Declaration, joins us to discuss proposals for digital ID checks for pubgoers buying alcohol. Would digital ID make the system safer, or is Britain heading towards unnecessary surveillance and restrictions on everyday life? Piddington, migrant camps, immigration, asylum seekers, migrant accommodation, Reform UK, Conservatives, Labour, women’s safety, ECHR, digital ID, pubs, alcohol and British politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reform Conference Special: Can Farage really deliver? Peter Cardwell hosts. Reform UK is gathering for its conference amid fresh controversy over claims the party breached foreign donor rules, with aides standing down as questions mount over its finances and internal discipline. Alex Deane, political commentator, examines the latest Reform scandal and the growing questions around the party’s funding, as Nigel Farage prepares to make the case that Reform is ready for government. Farage is expected to promise to declare a national emergency on his first day as Prime Minister, sack ministers who fail to deliver and stop the boats within 100 days. We examine whether Reform’s plans to tackle illegal immigration, slash benefits and cut taxes are actually achievable. Duncan Barkes, Talk presenter and host of Prick With a Fork, joins us from the Reform conference to bring us the atmosphere, arguments and personalities on the ground. Alex Phillips, Talk presenter, also joins us for our Reform Conference Special Part 1, ahead of the second part of the conference coverage on the show that follows. Is Reform genuinely ready to govern, or are the latest funding allegations exposing a party that still has serious growing pains? Reform UK, Reform conference, Nigel Farage, Reform scandal, foreign donations, foreign funding, political donations, funding rules, national emergency, stop the boats, immigration, benefits, tax cuts, Reform government and British politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is more public ownership the answer to Britain’s economic problems? Andy Burnham is calling for greater public control of key parts of the economy, arguing that a bigger role for the state is necessary to deliver growth. But would more public ownership actually improve Britain’s economy, or simply leave taxpayers picking up the bill? David Buik, financial adviser and markets commentator at Aquis Exchange, examines Burnham’s economic agenda and what greater state intervention could mean for investment, businesses, taxpayers and Britain’s already stretched public finances. Fraser Myers, Deputy Editor of Spiked, joins us to debate Burnham’s push for more public ownership and whether Labour’s economic direction represents a return to the politics of the big state. We also examine the latest Conservative shadow cabinet reshuffle. With Kemi Badenoch attempting to rebuild the party and put her stamp on the Conservatives, which figures have been promoted, who has been pushed aside, and can the Tories finally find the ruthlessness needed to take on Reform UK? Jake Wallis Simons, author and columnist, joins us to discuss the reshuffle and his argument that Kemi Badenoch needs to show the ruthlessness required to revive the Conservative Party. Andy Burnham, public ownership, nationalisation, state control, British economy, economic growth, taxpayers, Labour, Conservatives, Kemi Badenoch, Tory reshuffle, Reform UK and British politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reform UK is calling for restrictions on voting rights for people who cannot speak English, while Kemi Badenoch has vowed to deport all illegal immigrants. Meanwhile, Green Party gains in Dover highlight how a divided right-wing vote could benefit the Greens. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.