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The Julia Hartley-Brewer Show
Andy Burnham vows to be “relentless” as 2,000 Channel migrants arrive — plus Reform’s Royal Navy plan, police urged to fast for Ramadan and the Cambridge professor facing extraordinary questions over his life story’
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Andy Burnham has promised a “relentless” new approach to the Channel crisis — but critics are asking what his plan actually involves after around 2,000 migrants arrived in a fortnight.
Julia Hartley-Brewer and former Conservative adviser Claire Pearsall examine Reform UK’s proposal to deploy the Royal Navy and return migrant boats to France, as well as the practical, diplomatic and military obstacles it could face.
They also discuss the mass crossing into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, fears over Europe’s borders and Rupert Lowe’s proposed pact between Restore Britain and Reform UK.
Plus: West Midlands Police invites non-Muslim officers and staff to fast during Ramadan in solidarity with colleagues.
Boy George parts company with his manager after recording a song honouring the victims of the October 7 attacks.
A controversial clinical trial involving puberty blockers for children is set to proceed after a High Court challenge fails.
And Cambridge professor Jason Arday faces further scrutiny over a series of remarkable claims about his childhood, academic career, fundraising and sporting achievements — including an assertion that he appeared in a BBC Up documentary.
Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10am to 1pm.
Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker.
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King Charles Hits Back at Earl Spencer’s Explosive Diana Claim
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36:26|Piddington villagers vote 91.6% to symbolically leave the UK, protesting government plans to house 1,250 migrants next to their only playing field. Julia Hartley-Brewer hears from Crowborough Shield chairwoman Kim Bailey on the antisocial behaviour plaguing her town since migrants moved in under cover of darkness, plus Talk's Charlie Rowley, reporting live as residents unveil the "Principality of Piddington." Political commentator Benedict Spence joins to unpack record disability benefit claims, rising inflation, and Labour's welfare bill blowout. Also: fury over the Lucy Letby inquiry findings, and outrage as a Dutch activist is cleared of vandalising Churchill's statue.Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker.Piddington’s vote to leave the UK: village revolts over migrant camp plans
38:52|Piddington residents stage an extraordinary vote to “leave” the UK in protest against plans to house 1,250 asylum seekers beside their Oxfordshire village. Campaigner Ian Darby explains why locals fear for public safety, overstretched services and the loss of their community. Julia also tackles Labour’s proposed restrictions on political donations, accusations that Reform UK is being targeted, Nicola Sturgeon’s latest controversy and nationalist demands from the SNP, Sinn Féin and Plaid Cymru.Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker.Reform's £72m crypto donation storm — is Labour's opposition hypocrisy?
29:27|Julia Hartley-Brewer tackles the row engulfing Westminster after two crypto billionaires handed Reform UK £72 million, triggering Labour fury and fresh claims of hypocrisy given the party's own record of accepting huge individual donations. Mail on Sunday commentator Dan Hodges argues all big money should be stripped from British politics, while Reform MP Danny Kruger insists the donations are entirely legal, unconditional, and free from any quid pro quo. Also on the show: nationalist leaders from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland meet in Cardiff, and new school dinner rules spark debate over deep-fried food bans and healthy eating in English schools.Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker.Labour branded 'the welfare party' as Burnham gaffe sparks incredulous response
38:48|Andy Burnham stuns Westminster at PMQs, declaring that "national security can't come at the expense of social security" — seeming proof that Labour has become the welfare party. Former senior military intelligence officer Philip Ingram MBE explains why Burnham's grasp of national resilience is dangerously wrong, as defence budgets are raided to fund the Chagos deal.Plus: Mail on Sunday's Dan Hodges on Reform UK's escalating donations scandal, the police investigation engulfing Nigel Farage's closest aides, and whether this is the beginning of the end for his leadership. Also: Trump's astonishing $5,000 election promise, and the Miliband-Israel sanctions row.Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker.Labour’s Israel sanctions spark furious and immediate backlash
25:23|Julia Hartley-Brewer delivers her verdict on Labour’s sanctions against Israel, accusing Ed Miliband of virtue signalling while British Jewish leaders warn of rising antisemitism. Political editor Henry Hill examines the policy’s impact on Britain’s relationship with Israel and the United States. Also: anger grows over plans to house thousands of migrants near Piddington, RNLI volunteers face abuse for Channel rescues, and air traffic control failures leave passengers stranded across Britain. Plus, pressure mounts on NATS boss Martin Rolfe after another costly aviation shutdown.Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker.Britain's border crisis boils over after Portsmouth protests
35:40|As a mega-dinghy carrying 260 migrants lands in Portsmouth, masked protesters clash with police while locals demand answers. Julia Hartley-Brewer is joined by Spiked editor Tom Slater to unpack the unrest, Andy Burnham's push for Israel sanctions, and claims the UN's own refugee agency says most asylum grants are unlawful. Pink Ladies organiser Orla Minihane reveals the fear driving grassroots protests against asylum hotels, citing an 800% rise in sexual assaults linked to migration. Plus: Labour MP Stella Creasy's gender-segregation row, and why Britain's borders — not Russia or China — may be the biggest threat facing the country.Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker.Portsmouth migrant protests erupt after a mega-dinghy arrives
33:24|Chaotic scenes unfold in Portsmouth after more than 130 migrants arrive by boat from Cherbourg, prompting protests and a police response. Reform UK councillor George Madgwick describes what he witnessed and condemns the Government’s handling of Channel crossings. Julia also examines a Home Office whistleblower’s claims of widespread asylum fraud, the AfD’s historic gains in Germany and mounting pressure on Reform UK over alleged discussions about funnelling foreign money into the party. Former Conservative adviser Claire Pearsall warns the controversy could deter crucial floating voters.Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker.Falklands veteran: Britain’s defences ‘need money’ as threat returns
26:18|Falklands War veteran Simon Weston CBE warns Britain lacks the leadership, investment and military readiness needed to confront Russia and protect the Falkland Islands. He condemns wasteful MoD procurement, questions the Chagos Islands deal and backs the Falklanders’ right to remain British amid renewed pressure from Argentina. The Argentinian president is due to make an announcement on the Falklands Islands tonight. Former military intelligence officer Philip Ingram then scrutinises national security adviser Jonathan Powell’s influence. Plus, Julia Hartley-Brewer clashes with former Labour adviser Paul Richards over Andy Burnham’s PMQs performance, welfare cuts, defence spending and Zack Polanski’s chances in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election.Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker.