Afternoon Empire with Ian Collins

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.

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.

As Andy Burnham opens the door to Britain potentially rejoining the EU, we ask whether the UK’s relationship with Europe is becoming more important than the Special Relationship with America.Matthew Bryza, former White House Official, and Mike Galsworthy, Chair of the European Movement UK, debate Britain’s future between the US and EU, the strength of the Special Relationship and whether Brexit is really being reversed.We also ask a more fundamental question: what makes someone English? Montgomery Toms, Founder of Freedom Watch GB, joins us to discuss English identity, patriotism and what it means to belong to England today.And Ben Habib, Chairman of Great British PAC, joins us after a packed migrant dinghy made the 38-hour journey from Normandy to the UK under French naval escort. We examine the latest Channel crossing, protests following the arrival and the wider debate over illegal migration — as an anti-migrant activist is accused of slashing a dinghy while a rescuer was still on board.Andy Burnham, EU, Brexit, rejoining the EU, Special Relationship, America, European Union, English identity, immigration, Channel crossings, migrant boats, France, British politics.