Afternoon Empire with Ian Collins

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

Charlie Rowley sits in for Ian Collins.Andy Burnham’s cabinet: Built to win or to fail? On his first full day as Prime Minister, Andy Burnham has unveiled a dramatically reshaped Cabinet, appointing John Healey as Chancellor, Wes Streeting as Defence Secretary, bringing Angela Rayner back into government after her resignation over a tax scandal, and handing senior roles to key allies as he promises the biggest political changes in decades.Sam Lister, Associate Editor at the Express, assesses Burnham’s new top team, the political winners and losers, and whether the Prime Minister has assembled a Cabinet capable of delivering his ambitious agenda or one that risks deepening divisions within Labour.Economist Professor Jonathan Portes examines the economic challenges facing the new Chancellor, with UK public debt nearing £3 trillion and difficult decisions looming over borrowing, spending and the possibility of future tax rises.Former Conservative Defence Minister Sir Gerald Howarth gives his verdict on Wes Streeting’s appointment as Defence Secretary, asking whether he has the experience to oversee Britain’s armed forces at a time of growing international instability.Finally, James Heale, Deputy Political Editor at The Spectator, analyses Burnham’s sweeping Cabinet reshuffle, the return of Angela Rayner, the appointment of John Healey as Chancellor and whether this is a government built for long-term success or political turmoil.Andy Burnham, Cabinet reshuffle, John Healey, Wes Streeting, Angela Rayner, Chancellor, public debt, tax rises, Labour government and British politics. Has Burnham built a Cabinet to win or one destined to fail?

Can Andy Burnham unite Britain? The Prime Minister has unveiled his 10-year plan for the UK, promising to tackle the cost of living, rebuild public services and reshape the economy. But with critics warning of a new era of big government and polling suggesting many southern voters question his legitimacy, can Burnham win over the whole country?Alex Deane, political commentator, breaks down Burnham’s first major policy agenda, the promise to ease the cost of living, concerns over expanding the state, and whether the Prime Minister has secured a genuine mandate for change.Peter Cardwell, Talk presenter, and former Labour official Richard Power Sayeed debate whether Burnham’s programme represents a fresh direction for Britain or simply a return to traditional Labour politics.Finally, Lord Matthew Elliott, founder of the TaxPayers’ Alliance and former Vote Leave chief executive, gives his verdict on Burnham’s economic vision, the implications for taxpayers and business, and Boris Johnson’s latest intervention on Brexit, Partygate and the advice he says he would give the new Prime Minister.Andy Burnham, 10-year plan, cost of living, big state, Labour government, legitimacy, Brexit, Boris Johnson and Britain’s future. Can Burnham bring the country together behind his vision?