Afternoon Empire with Ian Collins

Is technology making Britain safer or creating a surveillance state? As the government rolls out a major expansion of GPS tagging and live monitoring for offenders, including domestic abusers and violent criminals, we ask where the line is between public safety and personal privacy. Former Met Police detective Peter Bleksley and freedom campaigner Montgomery Toms debate whether increased surveillance is the answer to rising crime or a step too far for civil liberties.We also examine the latest immigration row after Keir Starmer signals a potential migrant U-turn under pressure from Angela Rayner, alongside controversial deportation cases raising questions about the UK’s border system and legal framework. Tom Jones from The Critic reacts.And we look at the growing political push to rethink Brexit, as figures including Rachel Reeves and Sadiq Khan suggest closer ties with the European Union, while the Green Party raises the prospect of rejoining altogether. Former MEP David Bannerman gives his view on whether Britain is drifting back toward Europe.

Concerns about extremism, integration and social cohesion are back in focus as new polling suggests British Muslims are significantly more likely than the general public to hold favourable views of the Iranian regime, alongside more hostile attitudes towards the US and Israel. Dr Rakib Ehsan from the Policy Exchange joins to unpack what this means for community relations, foreign policy attitudes and national security in Britain as debate grows over antisemitism, radicalisation and recent court rulings linked to support for Hamas.We also look at the political pressure building on Keir Starmer, with Angela Rayner warning Labour is running out of time. James Heale, Deputy Political Editor at The Spectator, discusses growing divisions within the party, immigration tensions and whether Starmer’s leadership is entering a critical phase.And broadcaster Clare Muldoon reacts to Scotland’s decision to reject assisted dying legislation, examining what it means for the wider UK debate on end-of-life care, ethics and public opinion.

Should Keir Starmer assist the Americans? With tensions escalating in the Iran conflict and the strategic Strait of Hormuz under threat, pressure is mounting on Britain to support the United States militarily. Donald Trump has criticised Keir Starmer for refusing to join operations to secure the Gulf shipping lane, raising serious questions about the UK–US alliance, NATO cooperation and Britain’s role in global security. Former NATO and Royal Navy commander Chris Parry assesses the military reality and what British involvement could look like.We also examine the growing political battle over UK energy bills and the cost-of-living crisis. Robert Jenrick, Reform’s shadow chancellor, outlines plans to scrap VAT and green levies on energy bills, arguing it could save households at least £200 a year.And Professor David Nutt joins the programme to challenge claims that medical cannabis harms mental health, arguing new research ignores two decades of evidence and misrepresents the debate around cannabis policy, mental health and medical treatment.

Do you believe Keir Starmer has Britain’s back? As political pressure builds on the Prime Minister, we examine whether the government is showing strong leadership at home and abroad.Writer and broadcaster Emma Trimble and Jonathan Gullis debate the fallout from the controversial Al-Quds Day march in London, where protesters were filmed praising Ali Khamenei and chanting against Benjamin Netanyahu, raising questions about extremism, policing and Britain’s response.We also look at the growing political row over energy and the cost of living as Ed Miliband hints at a possible fuel duty U-turn amid rising economic pressure.Plus, Maurice Cousins from Net Zero Watch discusses the future of Net Zero policy, energy prices and whether Britain’s climate strategy is making the cost-of-living crisis worse.

How do we kickstart the UK economy? With growth stalling and fresh figures showing Britain struggling to gain momentum, questions are growing about whether the government has a credible plan to get the economy moving again.Economist Paul Johnson joins to break down the latest UK GDP figures, why growth has slowed, and what policies could realistically boost productivity, investment and wages.Campaign coordinator Conor O’Shea from Cost of Living Action discusses the pressure households are facing as the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite.And Dan Hodges reacts to the continuing political fallout from the Peter Mandelson controversy and what it means for Keir Starmer, Labour’s messaging, and the wider political debate about economic leadership.

How much longer can Keir Starmer survive? Pressure is mounting on the Prime Minister as new reports claim Keir Starmer ignored warnings from senior aides about the reputational risks surrounding Peter Mandelson and his links to Jeffrey Epstein. With the Mandelson controversy refusing to fade, Labour councillor Sebastian Salek and former Brexit Party press chief Liam Deacon debate whether Starmer’s leadership is now in serious danger.Author and Spectator writer Joanna Williams joins to discuss the growing debate over mental health sick notes, after hundreds of GPs said they have never refused one, raising questions about Britain’s welfare system, workplace culture and long-term economic impact.And energy markets expert Herman Wang from S&P Global explains why the UK is releasing emergency oil reserves, what it means for energy prices, and whether Britain is prepared for further shocks to global energy supply.

Would you ever trust a digital ID? The government’s plans for a UK digital identity system are under renewed scrutiny amid warnings about privacy, surveillance and the power of the state. As Keir Starmer reportedly considers changes to digital ID proposals over privacy concerns, journalist and author Alex Klaushofer and Alexander Iosad from the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change debate whether digital ID could modernise government services or create a dangerous new level of state control.We also examine the growing free speech row over Islamophobia laws after warnings that Labour’s proposed definition of anti-Muslim hostility could lead to self-censorship in schools, universities and public life. Andrew Gilligan, senior fellow at Policy Exchange, reacts to claims that children’s drawings could be considered offensive under religious guidelines and what the legal challenge to the government’s guidance could mean for free expression.Plus, the political fallout from the Iran conflict continues, with the Home Secretary banning a pro-Iran march in London and MPs calling for tougher extremism laws targeting protest groups. And Reem Ibrahim discusses the latest developments surrounding the Peter Mandelson files and what they could mean for Westminster.

Islamophobia: is it a backdoor to blasphemy laws? The government’s new definition of anti-Muslim hatred, and the appointment of an “anti-Muslim hostility” tsar, has reignited a fierce debate about free speech, religion and the limits of criticism in Britain. Connie Shaw from the Free Speech Union joins to discuss whether the move risks chilling open debate, as schools are urged to monitor anti-Muslim hostility and ministers insist the policy will still protect freedom of expression.We also examine the escalating Iran war and Britain’s role in the conflict. Defence analyst Simon Diggins reacts to reports of major airstrikes on Tehran, growing US pressure, and criticism of Keir Starmer over the speed of the UK’s military response as HMS Dragon prepares to deploy to Cyprus.And Philip Kiszely of the New Culture Forum discusses the continued push for corporate diversity targets, asking whether DEI policies are reshaping British business and culture, and whether companies are under growing pressure to meet ideological benchmarks.