Afternoon Empire with Ian Collins

Should Andy Burnham face a leadership challenge? Just hours after Keir Starmer’s resignation, Labour is already facing a fierce battle over who should take control of the party, with some MPs reportedly moving to stop what they fear could become a Burnham coronation.Matthew Syed, columnist for The Times and The Sunday Times, joins us live as Westminster reacts to Burnham’s dramatic arrival in Parliament amid scenes of celebration from supporters and growing unease among critics. Does Burnham have a mandate to lead, or should Labour members and MPs have a genuine contest?Mike Galsworthy, Chair of the European Movement UK, discusses reports that Brussels is rethinking its approach to post-Brexit negotiations following Starmer’s departure, and what a Burnham leadership could mean for Britain’s future relationship with the European Union. Ten years after Brexit, has the country benefited or paid the price?Lord Matthew Elliott, former Vote Leave chief executive and author of Ten Years On: The Untold Story of Brexit, reflects on the legacy of the referendum and whether Britain has delivered on the promises of Brexit.Later, Lord Toby Young examines the growing backlash against Burnham’s rise, as well as concerns over Labour’s proposed changes to jury trials and what they could mean for free speech, civil liberties and the justice system.Andy Burnham, Labour leadership battle, Starmer resignation, Brexit at 10, EU relations, free speech and jury trials. Is Burnham the leader Labour wants, or simply the leader Labour expects?

Can any party stop the small boats crisis? With more than 700 migrants crossing the Channel in a single day, the highest daily total of the year so far, pressure is mounting on the Government as critics argue that every major party has failed to get a grip on illegal migration.Isabel Oakeshott, Talk International Editor, reacts to the latest Channel crossing figures and asks whether Labour, the Conservatives or Reform have a credible plan to stop the boats and restore control of Britain’s borders.Business Affairs Editor at The Sun James Flanders discusses controversial new figures showing a surge in Personal Independence Payment claims, including for anxiety-related conditions, with growing debate over welfare spending, economic inactivity and whether the benefits system is fit for purpose.Former Old Bailey judge Wendy Joseph KC joins us to examine plans to overhaul murder laws by introducing first and second-degree murder charges. Would the changes deliver fairer justice for victims and defendants, or risk creating greater complexity in the courts?Small boats crisis, Channel crossings, immigration, welfare spending, PIP claims, economic inactivity, murder law reform and criminal justice. Can Britain’s political class solve the problems voters care most about?

How has politics become so toxic? Ten years after the murder of MP Jo Cox, concerns are growing that political debate in Britain is becoming increasingly angry, polarised and hostile, both online and offline.Charlie Rowley, political commentator, reacts to warnings that political discourse is more poisonous than ever, with growing concerns about intimidation, abuse and the impact of social media on public debate.Former Liberal Democrat MP Tom Brake and HuffPost UK Political Editor Kevin Schofield discuss whether Britain’s political culture has fundamentally changed since the Jo Cox murder, why trust in politicians continues to decline, and whether Westminster is becoming more divided rather than more united.Meanwhile, barrister and broadcaster Chris Daw KC joins us to discuss two major criminal justice stories. First, the sentence handed to the killer of Henry Nowak is set to be reviewed by the Court of Appeal following public controversy over the case. We also examine the shocking conviction of a teacher found guilty of murdering and sexually abusing an adopted baby boy, alongside questions about whether multiple opportunities to protect the child were missed.Political toxicity, Jo Cox, online abuse, trust in politics, Henry Nowak appeal, child protection failures and criminal justice. Has Britain become a more angry and divided country?

Should under-16s be banned from social media? With Keir Starmer unveiling plans for sweeping new restrictions on children’s access to social media, Britain is facing a major debate over online safety, parental responsibility, free speech and the role of Big Tech.Harrison Allman-Varty, Leader of Reform UK on Elmbridge Borough Council, reacts to the proposed ban and asks whether the Government is right to intervene or whether parents, not politicians, should be making these decisions.In a head-to-head debate, Ben Kingsley from SafeScreens argues the restrictions are needed to protect children from harmful content, addiction and online exploitation, while Jack Coulson warns the plans could set a dangerous precedent for privacy, freedom and state control of the internet.Meanwhile, Middle East correspondent Patrick Cockburn joins us after the United States and Iran announced a deal to end military operations, with Donald Trump declaring “let the oil flow”. We’ll discuss whether the ceasefire will hold, what it means for global stability and why oil prices have fallen sharply in response.Social media ban, under-16s, online safety, free speech, Big Tech, Trump, Iran ceasefire, Middle East conflict and oil prices. Should the Government decide what children can see online?

Is Keir Starmer losing control of Britain? With a Cabinet resignation, growing unrest in Northern Ireland and fresh divisions on the Right, pressure is mounting on the Prime Minister from every direction.Former Conservative MP and military expert Bob Seely reacts after Defence Secretary John Healey resigned in a major blow to the Government, raising serious questions about Labour’s handling of defence, military spending and national security.Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Alex Burghart discusses the fallout from the Belfast unrest, after fresh scrutiny of how migration has transformed parts of the city and renewed debate over integration, asylum policy and community tensions.Meanwhile, political commentator Liam Deacon examines growing fractures on the Right after claims that divisions involving Rupert Lowe could split anti-Labour voters and make it easier for Labour to remain in power.John Healey resignation, Starmer under pressure, Belfast unrest, migration, Northern Ireland, Rupert Lowe, Reform divisions and the future of the Right. Is Britain becoming harder to govern?

How do Britons make their voices heard, and what happens when people feel nobody is listening? Following a second night of disorder in Belfast, questions are being asked about public anger, political representation and whether Britain’s institutions are responding to the concerns of ordinary people.Political commentator Chloe Dobbs reacts to the fallout from violent unrest after masked rioters set fires and targeted properties following the Belfast knife attack, as tensions over immigration, policing and community relations continue to escalate.Journalist Adam James Pollock, reporting from Northern Ireland, brings the latest from the ground as authorities struggle to restore order and politicians search for answers.We’ll also hear from Jamie Bryson, editor of Unionist Voice, and Mick Fealty, founding editor of Slugger O’Toole, on what is driving the unrest, whether political leaders have lost touch with public concerns, and how people can make their voices heard without violence.Belfast riots, migrant housing attacks, immigration, public anger, political representation, Northern Ireland, policing and civil unrest. Why do so many people feel unheard?

Is Britain in complete economic decline? And what does the horrific Belfast attack say about the state of the country? As fresh warnings emerge that unemployment could soar towards two million, Britain is facing growing questions over economic competence, public safety and government accountability.Samara Gill reacts to explosive claims that billions of pounds in taxpayer-backed Covid loans and foreign aid funding ended up in the hands of terrorists, organised criminals and hostile states. She also discusses the shocking attempted murder investigation in Belfast, after a man was arrested following what police described as a brutal attack that has sparked widespread concern.Economists Ewen Stewart and Christopher Snowdon examine fresh warnings from the CBI that growth is set to slow and unemployment could rise sharply. Is Britain heading towards another economic crisis, and who is responsible?Meanwhile, policing, crime and justice commentator Danny Shaw takes a deeper look at the Belfast attack, the attempted murder investigation, and what the case reveals about violent crime, policing and public confidence in the justice system.Billions to terrorists, Covid loans scandal, foreign aid waste, unemployment crisis, economic decline, Belfast attack, attempted beheading investigation, crime and public safety. Is Britain losing control?

Should the United States stay out of British politics? After a public row between senior British and American politicians over the Henry Nowak case, questions are growing about whether US figures are increasingly shaping political debates in the UK.Ameer Kotecha and Freddy Gray react after J. D. Vance weighed in on the Henry Nowak case, prompting David Lammy to reveal he personally called the US Vice President to challenge his comments. Is this healthy transatlantic debate or foreign interference in domestic politics?We also discuss comments from US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, who used a D-Day speech to warn Europe about mass migration, reigniting arguments over borders, sovereignty and the future of the West.Meanwhile, consultant paediatrician Sanjiv Nichani joins us as the Government considers tougher restrictions on children’s access to social media, with proposals reportedly being examined to extend bans and protections for young people online.Plus, Middle East expert Emily Schrader analyses the rapidly escalating conflict after Israel launched strikes on targets in Iran, raising fears of a wider regional confrontation.JD Vance, Henry Nowak, David Lammy, US influence, migration, social media bans, Israel-Iran tensions. Should America be shaping Britain’s biggest political debates?