Afternoon Empire with Ian Collins

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.