Afternoon Empire with Ian Collins

Charlie Rowley sits in for Ian Collins, joined by Leave.EU co-founder Arron Banks to discuss Nigel Farage’s bid to reunite Brexit backers against Andy Burnham’s push for closer European ties. Former Labour official Richard Power Sayeed and Conservative MP Douglas Lumsden then debate Labour’s approval of new North Sea drilling amid soaring gas prices.

Ian Collins is joined by Fred de Fossard, Director of Strategy at the Prosperity Institute, and barrister Dr S Chelvan to discuss the Energy Secretary's warning that Mahmood's immigration crackdown would threaten community cohesion.Then, the Daily Mail’s Defence and Diplomacy Editor Mark Nicol examines the row over the Troubles legacy bill, as well as warnings that relentless investigations and ‘lawfare’ could put the SAS’s future at risk.

Nigel Farage is facing fresh questions over Reform UK’s candidate vetting after reports emerged of candidates making racist and sexist jokes and calling for the execution of the King. Political commentators Ellie Hodges and Benedict Spence join us to examine the allegations, how Reform selects its candidates and what the controversy means for Farage’s efforts to present the party as a credible alternative to the Conservatives.Meanwhile, could Andy Burnham be heading for an early general election? A new mega-poll suggests Labour could win a 56-seat Commons majority, with Reform trailing the Conservatives. Sammy McDonald, Political Assistant at More in Common, joins us to discuss what the polling reveals about the political landscape and whether Labour’s position is changing.We also examine Kemi Badenoch’s rising ratings among Reform voters after her intervention in the row over whether only white people can be English. Is her approach cutting through with voters, and what does the debate reveal about national identity, patriotism and the battle for support on the right?Nigel Farage, Reform UK, candidate vetting, racist jokes, sexist comments, King Charles, Ellie Hodges, Benedict Spence, Andy Burnham, early election, Labour polling, More in Common, Sammy McDonald, Kemi Badenoch, Reform voters, English identity, British politics.

Four out of five new jobs created over the past decade reportedly went to foreign nationals, according to a new report. Ben Habib, Chairman of Great British PAC, joins us to examine why British workers account for such a small share of new payroll jobs, whether employers have become too reliant on overseas recruitment and what needs to change to put British workers first.MI5 chief Sir Ken McCallum has warned that Britain faces growing threats from Russia, Iran and the misuse of artificial intelligence. David Patrikarakos, Special Correspondent at the Daily Mail, joins us to discuss the changing national security landscape, alongside warnings that some extreme right-wing individuals are increasingly moving from anti-immigration and anti-Muslim grievances towards terrorist intent.And Andrew Rosindell MP, Reform UK representative for Romford, joins us to discuss the row over Nigel Farage’s offer to Donald Trump involving the Chagos Islands and the Falkland Islands, after Kemi Badenoch branded the proposal humiliating. What would such an offer mean for Britain’s overseas territories and its relationship with the United States?British jobs, migrant workers, immigration, employment, wages, Ben Habib, MI5, Russia, Iran, artificial intelligence, national security, terrorism, Reform UK, Nigel Farage, Kemi Badenoch, Chagos Islands, Falkland Islands, Donald Trump.

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.

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.