Afternoon Empire with Ian Collins

Would you give Andy Burnham 10 years? The Prime Minister says he needs a decade to transform Britain, but critics warn his plans could mean higher taxes, bigger government and little immediate relief for struggling families.Linda Duberley reacts after Burnham unveiled his 10-year vision for Britain, amid claims that middle-class taxpayers could be hit with fresh tax rises to fund Labour’s long-term agenda. Can Burnham deliver the change he promises, or is he asking voters for too much time?Political scientist Dr Andy Mycock and politics professor Anthony Glees assess whether Burnham has the political capital to reshape Britain, and whether the public will back a Prime Minister asking to be judged over a decade rather than a single Parliament.Meanwhile, Lucy Moreton, Professional Officer for the Immigration Services Union, discusses sweeping new plans to overhaul the asylum system after Shabana Mahmood proposed using members of the public to help decide asylum appeals. We also examine fresh figures showing a record 20,000 foreign criminals have avoided deportation, reports that thousands of deported migrants have returned to Britain, and claims that Labour has quietly dropped restrictions on illegal migrants gaining British citizenship. Has Britain lost control of its immigration system?Andy Burnham, 10-year plan, tax rises, asylum appeals, foreign criminals, deportations, illegal migration, British citizenship and border security. Would you give Burnham 10 years to change Britain? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can Andy Burnham turn our country around? Just days after Keir Starmer’s resignation, attention is turning from Labour’s leadership drama to a bigger question: is Burnham ready to govern?Giles Dilnot, Editor of ConservativeHome, reacts as Burnham and Starmer hold talks on an “orderly transition” amid reports that Burnham’s team is scrambling to prepare for power after being caught off guard by the speed of events. Is Labour ready for government, or already showing signs of chaos?Harry Cole, Editor-at-Large of The Sun, discusses growing concern in the City over reports that Burnham could hand one of the biggest jobs in government to Ed Miliband, raising questions about tax, spending, Net Zero and the future direction of the British economy. Would a Burnham government bring stability or spook investors?We also bring you the latest from the ARC Conference, where former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison warns that Western nations must regain control of immigration. What lessons can Britain learn from Australia on borders, migration and national identity?Andy Burnham, Labour transition, Ed Miliband, the economy, Net Zero, immigration, Scott Morrison and Britain’s future. Can Burnham deliver the change Britain has been promised? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you don’t support Labour: who should be the next Prime Minister? With reports of a looming Starmer–Streeting showdown, Labour infighting escalating, and fresh speculation over Keir Starmer’s future, Westminster is gripped by resignation rumours and succession plotting.Author and journalist Alexander Larman and Telegraph commentator Annabel Denham react to claims that Buckingham Palace has entered “crisis talks” with Downing Street over the King’s Speech, amid growing fears about political instability at the top of government.Labour historian Colm Murphy and Independent Political Editor David Maddox discuss whether Labour MPs are preparing for a post-Starmer future and if Wes Streeting is positioning himself as the next leader.Plus, economist Liam Halligan breaks down the latest blow to Britain’s public finances, as rising borrowing costs, pressure on gilts and market fears pile more pressure on the government’s economic credibility.Starmer resignation watch, King’s Speech crisis talks, Labour civil war, Wes Streeting leadership rumours, UK borrowing crisis, who should lead Britain now? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Keir Starmer fighting for Britain’s future, or fighting for his own survival? With reports of leadership plots, Cabinet unrest and growing Labour rebellion, pressure is mounting on Keir Starmer after his dramatic speech declaring he “won’t walk away from the battle for Britain’s soul”.Isabel Oakeshott reacts to the escalating Starmer leadership crisis, as claims emerge of moves inside Labour to force him out.Former Cabinet minister John Redwood discusses the growing split inside Labour, reports of a possible Rayner–Burnham alliance, and whether Starmer can politically survive.Meanwhile, Cambridge professor Catherine Barnard examines the Conservatives’ latest pitch on leaving the ECHR, North Sea drilling and sovereignty, as the political battle over immigration, energy and Britain’s future direction intensifies.From Labour civil war and Starmer under pressure to ECHR withdrawal, drilling in the North Sea and Britain’s political identity, we ask: is Westminster heading towards total political upheaval? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.