Afternoon Empire with Ian Collins

Talk
  • 4.8 (20)
  • News Commentary
  • Updated Weekly

Join Ian Collins on Talk for a lively, no-nonsense look at the day’s biggest stories, from politics and current affairs to culture and entertainment. Ian dives deep with expert guests, outspoken commentators, and compelling callers, bringing fresh angles and sharp analysis to everything making headlines. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 3d ago

    Reform Party Conference Special Part 1: Is Farage Ready to Govern?

    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.

  2. 6d ago

    Should the State Own More of Britain?

    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.

  3. Aug 28

    Fight on the Right?

    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.

  4. Aug 27

    What is the appropriate age to start using social media?

    For years, experts have warned about the impact social media can have on young minds. Now, Big Tech is facing the consequences. Meta has agreed to an $18 billion settlement over lawsuits involving Facebook and Instagram, leading to new limits on screen time for millions of teens. Ian Collins is joined by tech journalist Guy Cocker to discuss the issue, followed by child safeguarding consultant and former detective Jonathan Taylor, who spent 15 years investigating child abuse cases, to further assess the dangers of children being exposed to social media. Later, Ian is joined by Ryan Shorthouse, Founder and Chair of Bright Blue, to discuss a leading think tank's suggestion that Andy Burnham should start charging pensioners National Insurance, arguing that it is the fairest way to protect working people from further tax hikes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  5. Aug 26

    Is Britain Covering Up the True Scale of Migrant Crime?

    Is Britain covering up the true scale of migrant crime? Victims are demanding answers as claims emerge of a migrant crime wave being hidden from the public. We examine the latest allegations and the growing political pressure to publish more data on crimes committed by foreign nationals. Orla Minihane, from Restore Britain and a member of Pink Ladies, discusses the campaign for greater transparency around migrant crime and the impact of immigration on communities. Laila Cunningham, Reform UK’s Mayoral Candidate for London, joins us at 13:40 to discuss the issue and the findings from the latest undercover investigation into the Channel crossings. We also look at the Talk undercover documentary, following the extraordinary investigation in which a journalist posed as a migrant and crossed the Channel in a dinghy, uncovering claims that French police were giving people smugglers lifts back towards migrant camps. Maurice Cousins, Campaign Director at Net Zero Watch, examines the growing cost of Britain’s pursuit of net zero. With claims that the drive has failed to reduce household energy bills and warnings that households could face hundreds of pounds in additional costs, is net zero making energy more expensive for ordinary families? Finally, Nuriyah Khan, broadcaster and podcast host, discusses Labour’s decision to open the door to a potential ban on cousin marriage. What is driving the debate, and could legislation restricting cousin marriage have wider consequences for British society? Migrant crime, immigration, small boats, Channel crossings, undercover investigation, Reform UK, London, net zero, energy bills, climate policy, cousin marriage, Labour and British politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  6. Aug 25

    Talk Exclusive: Inside the Migrant Dinghy Heading for Britain

    Talk International Editor Isabel Oakeshott reveals the extraordinary undercover operation arranged by Talk which saw a journalist trick his way onto a migrant dinghy preparing to cross the Channel from France to Britain. The Telegraph has today published its write-up of the exclusive. What did the investigation uncover about the smugglers, the migrants attempting the crossing and the dangerous journeys being made across the Channel? And what does it tell us about the scale and reality of Britain’s small boats crisis? We also speak to David Shipley, investigative journalist and former prisoner, following claims that Muslim gangs are forcing white prisoners to convert to Islam. What is happening inside Britain’s prisons, how organised are these gangs, and are prison authorities doing enough to tackle intimidation, religious extremism and gang culture? Talk International exclusive, Isabel Oakeshott, migrant dinghy, small boats, Channel crossings, illegal immigration, asylum seekers, France, Britain, people smugglers, migrant crisis, prisons, Muslim gangs, forced conversion, Islam, extremism and prisoner safety. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  7. Aug 24

    Is Britain Wasting £500,000 a Day on Illegal Migrants?

    Is Britain wasting £500,000 a day on illegal migrants? The Government is facing fury over the reported cost of detaining migrants and moving them around the country, as Shabana Mahmood comes under pressure to push ahead with tougher migration reforms despite opposition from Labour MPs. Is the asylum system becoming an unsustainable burden on taxpayers? Matthew Syed, columnist for The Times and The Sunday Times, examines the staggering cost of the UK’s migration system, the political battle surrounding Mahmood’s reforms and whether Labour MPs opposing tougher immigration measures are out of step with the public. Sir Peter Fahy, former Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police and former National Lead of Prevent, reacts to calls from the Greens for police to lose access to Tasers and pepper spray. Would removing these powers make policing safer or put officers and the public at greater risk? Finally, Nick Wallis, broadcaster and journalist, discusses claims that another Tavistock-style scandal is developing in Wales, examining concerns surrounding gender medicine, hormones and surgery and asking whether lessons have been learned from previous controversies. Illegal immigration, asylum seekers, £500,000 a day, Shabana Mahmood, migration reform, Labour, Reform UK, policing, Tasers, pepper spray, Green Party, Tavistock, gender medicine, Wales and British politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  8. Aug 21

    Is Britain Heading for a £3 Trillion Debt Crisis?

    David Bull sits in for Ian Collins.  Britain’s soaring welfare bill is pushing national debt towards the £3 trillion mark, while the political right remains divided over whether Reform UK should work with the Conservatives or Restore. We examine whether Britain’s spending and welfare system can continue on its current trajectory. Steve N Allen, comedian and broadcaster, looks at Reform UK’s refusal to make deals with Restore or the Conservatives, the latest immigration chaos in Europe, and the growing pressure on Britain’s public finances. We also examine the extraordinary case of Infected Blood victims being told to return compensation. Annunziata Rees-Mogg, Head of Communications at Popular Conservatism, reacts to claims from Equalities Minister Bridget Phillipson that racism and sexism have become normalised in Britain. Is the country genuinely becoming more prejudiced, or has the language around discrimination become increasingly politicised? We also discuss the welfare bill and national debt, the latest clashes between French police and migrants attempting to launch Channel boats, and the continuing divisions between Reform UK, Restore and the Conservatives. Reform UK, Suella Braverman, Nigel Farage, Restore, Conservatives, welfare, national debt, £3 trillion debt, immigration, migrants, Channel crossings, France, racism, sexism, Infected Blood compensation and British politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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4.8
out of 5
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About

Join Ian Collins on Talk for a lively, no-nonsense look at the day’s biggest stories, from politics and current affairs to culture and entertainment. Ian dives deep with expert guests, outspoken commentators, and compelling callers, bringing fresh angles and sharp analysis to everything making headlines. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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