Afternoon Empire with Ian Collins

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

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. 7h ago

    Has Immigration Put Reform Back on Top?

    Has immigration put Reform back on top? New polling suggests Reform UK has overtaken Labour once again, with immigration continuing to dominate voters’ concerns. As the Government defends its “one in, one out” migrant returns deal, is border control now the defining issue in British politics, and can any party convince the public it has a credible solution? Former No.10 adviser Oscar Reddrop discusses Reform’s resurgence in the polls, why immigration has become the country’s number one political issue, and whether Labour’s approach is failing to win over voters. Ed Shackle, Director and Head of Qualitative Research at Public First, examines what is driving public opinion, why Reform appears to be gaining support again, and whether immigration is reshaping the electoral landscape ahead of the next general election. Guy Dampier, Senior Researcher on Nationhood at the Prosperity Institute, looks at Britain’s migration policy in comparison with other European countries, asking why Spain has been able to remove far more illegal migrants than the UK and whether Britain’s legal framework is preventing effective enforcement. Finally, retired prison governor and author Vanessa Frake reacts to plans for the early release of thousands of domestic abusers, as well as the continuing legal challenge over the release of PC Andrew Harper’s killers. Is public confidence in the criminal justice system being eroded? Reform UK, Nigel Farage, immigration, small boats, opinion polls, Labour, deportations, prison reform, PC Andrew Harper and British politics. Has immigration become the issue that will decide the next election? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  2. 1d ago

    Can the Navy End the Small Boats Crisis?

    Should Britain deploy the Royal Navy to stop the boats? Reform UK has sparked a diplomatic row after proposing the use of British forces to return migrant boats and, if necessary, land troops on French beaches if France refuses to cooperate. Is this a serious solution to the small boats crisis or an unworkable political gesture? Andrew Tettenborn, writer and academic, discusses Reform’s proposals, France’s angry response, and whether stronger military action is legally and practically possible to tackle illegal Channel crossings. Mark Littlewood, Director of Popular Conservatism, examines the growing tensions between Reform UK and Restore as negotiations over a possible alliance appear to falter. Is division on the political right helping Labour, and can the parties find common ground? Finally, former barrister Helen Fields reacts to the decision to release PC Andrew Harper’s killers early despite previous promises, alongside the Government’s announcement that rapists and child sex offenders will be excluded from the early release scheme. Has the balance between justice, punishment and prison reform gone too far in the wrong direction? Royal Navy, small boats, Channel crossings, Reform UK, France, immigration, PC Andrew Harper, early release, prison reform and British politics. Should Britain take a tougher approach to border security and criminal justice? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  3. 2d ago

    Should Reform and Restore Join Forces?

    Mark Dolan sits in for Ian Collins where we ask if the political right unite? Following Nigel Farage’s latest speech, speculation is growing over whether Reform UK and Restore could work together after Restore’s leader proposed a pact to unite the “patriotic Right” under a series of policy conditions, including a burka ban and a referendum on the death penalty. Former government adviser James Price discusses whether a broader alliance on the right is politically realistic, what it would mean for the Conservatives, and whether ideological differences make any formal agreement impossible. Liam Deacon, former Head of Press for the Brexit Party, analyses the significance of Farage’s latest remarks, the growing calls for greater unity among right-wing parties, and whether a divided right risks handing an advantage to Labour. Finally, Richard Tice MP, Deputy Leader of Reform UK, reacts to Nigel Farage’s speech, addresses the latest developments surrounding Reform, and explains whether the party is open to working with other right-of-centre movements or intends to go it alone. Nigel Farage, Richard Tice, Reform UK, Restore, Rupert Lowe, Conservatives, right-wing politics, political alliances and British politics. Can the political right unite before the next general election? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  4. 5d ago

    Can the Tories Win Back the Right?

    Can the Conservatives win back the political right? With Reform UK facing internal turmoil and Kemi Badenoch pushing to reshape her party, is this the moment for the Conservatives to reclaim right-wing voters, or has British politics changed for good? Former Conservative Cabinet minister Sir David Lidington discusses whether the Conservatives have a credible route back to power, what the party must do to reconnect with voters, and whether a shift to the right is enough to reverse its fortunes. Dan Barker, Reform UK board member, explains why Reform believes it remains the natural home for right-of-centre voters and responds to growing suggestions that the Conservatives are attempting to win back supporters who have drifted away. Polling expert Sir John Curtice analyses the latest political trends, asking whether the Conservatives are genuinely recovering or simply benefiting from Reform’s recent difficulties. What do voters actually want from the political right? Finally, Ben Habib, leader of Advance UK and chairman of the Great British PAC, reacts to the growing migrant crisis on Europe’s borders after fresh crossings into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. Are European countries facing a coordinated migration crisis, and what lessons should Britain take from events across the continent? Conservatives, Reform UK, Kemi Badenoch, Nigel Farage, Sir John Curtice, immigration, Europe, Ceuta, Morocco and British politics. Can the Tories win back the political right, and is Europe losing control of its borders? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  5. Jul 29

    Can Burnham Get Tough on Immigration?

    Is Andy Burnham being naive on immigration? Just one week into his premiership, the Prime Minister insists Labour’s plan to stop small boat crossings is working, despite more than 900 migrants crossing the Channel during his first week in office. With questions also being raised over French authorities’ response at sea and claims the Home Office relied on flawed AI evidence in asylum decisions, is the Government’s approach fit for purpose? John Vine CBE, former Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration, assesses Burnham’s immigration strategy, whether ministers are being too optimistic about tackling the small boats crisis, and what practical changes are needed to restore confidence in the asylum system. Former Health Minister Steve Brine discusses the growing pressure on Britain’s health and social care system, and whether reform can be delivered without placing an even greater burden on taxpayers. Professor David Paton, industrial economist at the University of Nottingham, examines reports that workers could face a new tax to fund social care as Burnham invites opposition parties to cross-party talks. Is another tax rise inevitable, or are there better ways to tackle the crisis? Finally, Gawain Towler, Reform UK governing board member, reacts to the row over social media posts appearing to threaten Nigel Farage following the murder of Ann Widdecombe. Has political discourse become dangerously inflammatory, and should there be tougher consequences for those accused of inciting violence against public figures? Andy Burnham, small boats, Channel crossings, immigration, asylum, AI, social care, taxation, Nigel Farage, Ann Widdecombe and political violence. Is the Government underestimating the scale of Britain’s biggest challenges? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  6. Jul 28

    Has University Failed a Generation?

    Has university failed a generation? Andy Burnham has announced a major shake-up of England’s education system, signalling the end of the Blair-era ambition of sending 50% of young people to university and placing greater emphasis on technical and vocational education from the age of 14. Political commentator Charlie Rowley discusses what the changes mean for young people, employers and Britain’s economy. Is Burnham right to move away from a university-first approach, or does the country risk lowering educational aspirations? Rose Stephenson, Director of Policy and Strategy at the Higher Education Policy Institute, argues that the reforms are about expanding opportunities for the half of young people who do not go to university, rather than limiting those who do. Can a stronger technical pathway finally give vocational education the status it deserves? Executive Headteacher Mark Lehain questions whether steering pupils towards technical education from the age of 14 risks entrenching inequality, with children from disadvantaged backgrounds potentially being channelled into lower-quality vocational routes too early. Finally, former Ofsted Chief Inspector Baroness Spielman assesses whether Burnham’s plans can succeed in practice. With high-quality technical education significantly more expensive to deliver, is the Government prepared to invest enough, or is this simply an ambitious vision without the funding needed to make it work? Andy Burnham, university, apprenticeships, technical education, vocational education, schools, Ofsted, higher education and skills. Has Britain finally moved beyond the university-first model? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  7. Jul 27

    Has the Welfare State Gone Too Far?

    Is Britain rewarding welfare over work? As Andy Burnham prepares to crack down on sickness benefits for young people, a wider debate is growing over welfare, social care, policing and whether Britain is becoming too dependent on the state. Ben Gregg, Head of Welfare at the Centre for Social Justice, discusses Burnham’s plans to tighten eligibility for youth sickness benefits amid concerns that too many young people are being signed off work with anxiety and other mental health conditions. Is the welfare system helping people back into work, or trapping a generation on benefits? Author and sociologist Frank Furedi examines Britain’s deepening social care crisis after calls for the Prime Minister to rule out tax rises to fund reform. Can the sector be fixed without asking taxpayers to shoulder an even greater burden, and is a market-led approach the answer? Former Metropolitan Police Detective Chief Inspector David Spencer, now Head of Crime and Justice at Policy Exchange, reacts to reports that police forces have spent £630 million on anti-racist policies. Has the focus shifted too far away from frontline policing and crime prevention? Finally, Dr David Klemperer, Research Assistant at the Institute for Policy Research at the University of Bath, discusses proposals for compulsory voting as Andy Burnham considers electoral reform. Would mandatory voting strengthen British democracy, or undermine personal freedom? Andy Burnham, welfare reform, youth sickness benefits, social care, tax rises, policing, anti-racism, compulsory voting, electoral reform and British politics. Is Britain becoming too reliant on the state? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  8. Jul 22

    Is Andy Burnham Dividing Britain?

    Is Andy Burnham creating a two-tier Britain? Just days into his premiership, the Prime Minister is facing criticism over a growing North-South divide, a string of expensive spending promises, and mounting questions about how his government will pay the bill. Journalist and author Michael Crick discusses claims that Burnham’s agenda risks deepening regional divisions, why his government is already under pressure over a raft of uncosted pledges, and reports that ministers have now been ordered to find savings despite announcing major new spending commitments. Robert Bates, Research Director at the Centre for Migration, examines the continuing row over asylum accommodation after a village voted on plans to leave the UK over migrant housing proposals, the legal challenge surrounding the use of an army base to house asylum seekers, and his own campaign to force the Government to publish data on serious crimes committed by migrants. Finally, former police officer and Fair Cop founder Harry Miller reacts to the planned early release of PC Andrew Harper’s killers and the backlash after Wes Streeting and Shabana Mahmood apologised for joking about early prisoner releases. Has prison reform gone too far, and is public confidence in the justice system being undermined? Andy Burnham, North-South divide, Labour spending, asylum seekers, immigration, migrant crime, PC Andrew Harper, early prisoner release, criminal justice and British politics. Is Britain becoming more divided under the new government? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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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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