Afternoon Empire with Ian Collins

Will Andy Burnham save Britain? Following the dramatic resignation of Keir Starmer, Labour is entering a new era as attention turns to who will lead the party, and the country, next.Martin Beckford, Policy Editor at the Daily Mail, reacts to Starmer’s emotional departure from Downing Street after months of political turmoil, Cabinet infighting and mounting pressure from Labour MPs. What finally brought down a Prime Minister who entered office with a huge majority?Jonathan Gullis, Leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, gives his verdict on Labour’s leadership crisis and whether Andy Burnham represents a genuine change of direction or simply a continuation of the same policies that helped force Starmer out.Former Labour adviser Patrick Diamond assesses Burnham’s prospects after reports that he wants three months to prepare for No.10. Can the Greater Manchester Mayor reunite Labour, win back voters and restore confidence in government?Economist Liam Halligan examines what a Burnham premiership could mean for Britain’s economy, taxes, spending and growth, as markets and businesses prepare for a potentially significant shift in direction.Starmer resigns, Andy Burnham, Labour leadership race, No.10 battle, Reform UK, the Conservatives, economic policy and Britain’s future. Is Andy Burnham the answer to Britain’s problems? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Keir Starmer’s premiership entering its final days? With reports of Cabinet unrest, leadership manoeuvring and almost 80 Labour MPs allegedly urging him to quit, the pressure on Keir Starmer has reached boiling point.Former No.10 adviser Oscar Reddrop reacts to the growing Labour civil war, the battle over Starmer’s future, and what’s happening behind closed doors in Downing Street.Meanwhile, Angela Rayner is reportedly pushing for Andy Burnham to return to Westminster fuelling speculation over possible successors and deepening tensions inside the party.Tatton Spiller breaks down the political chaos and asks whether Labour is now tearing itself apart in public.Plus, businessman and Conservative peer Mark Marland joins to discuss the wider implications for business confidence, investment and Britain’s political stability as Westminster descends into crisis.From Starmer resignation rumours and Labour infighting to Rayner, Burnham and leadership plotting, we ask: is this the beginning of the end for Keir Starmer? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should voting be compulsory in Britain, and would it fix a broken political system? Giles Dilnot makes the case against forcing people to the ballot box, as turnout, trust and engagement in UK politics come under scrutiny.Meanwhile, speculation grows over a potential leadership challenge to Keir Starmer, with claims of a “Trojan Horse” plan to bring Andy Burnham back to Westminster. John Power reacts and argues that Starmer’s replacement could be even worse.Plus, ahead of VE Day, historian James Holland discusses new figures showing two-thirds of Gen Z don’t know what VE Day marks, raising questions about education, national identity and historical awareness.From compulsory voting and political reform to Labour infighting and historical literacy, we ask: is Britain losing both civic engagement and its sense of history? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Britain’s welfare system spiralling while borders remain out of control? New figures suggest one million children could soon be claiming disability benefits, raising urgent questions about welfare dependency, public spending and long-term sustainability.Andrew Allison and Callum McGoldrick debate the benefits surge, economic impact and whether the system is being stretched too far.At the same time, the small boats crisis continues to escalate with arrivals projected to hit 200,000, while deportations lag far behind. Border expert Henry Bolton assesses immigration control, enforcement failures and what needs to change.And as Keir Starmer pushes for closer ties with the EU including potential £1bn-a-year commitments and defence cooperation Annunziata Rees-Mogg reacts to the growing backlash over Brexit, sovereignty and Britain’s financial obligations to Brussels.From welfare crisis and disability benefits to migration, small boats and EU relations, we ask: is Britain losing control of its borders, spending and direction? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Dolan sits in for Ian Collins this bank holiday Monday. He is joined by Liam Deacon and Dr Mike Galsworthy to discuss Keir Starmer telling European leaders that the UK’s “national interest” lies in deeper EU ties - even as the bloc demands £1 billion a year for greater access to the single market.Then political power couple Neil and Christine Hamilton break down the shocking new figures showing welfare now pays more than work for 600,000 UK households.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Britain on high alert: the terror threat level has been raised to “severe” following the Golders Green attack, with warnings the risk of further attacks is high and the public urged to stay vigilant.Former Head of Counter-Terrorism at the MoD Chip Chapman joins alongside social cohesion expert Fiyaz Mughal and extremism specialist Paul Stott to assess the security response, terror threat, and risks facing the UK.With police now considering a ban on pro-Palestine marches, Claire Fox reacts to the growing row over public safety, protest rights and free speech.From the Golders Green terror attack and rising threat level to extremism, policing powers and civil liberties, we ask: how serious is the threat and how far should Britain go to respond? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Keir Starmer’s leadership collapsing as Britain faces a growing terror threat? Allies of Angela Rayner are reportedly turning on Keir Starmer, with the Mandelson–Epstein scandal fuelling a full-blown crisis inside Labour.In the studio, Alex Dyke is joined by Hull East MP Karl Turner to ask whether Starmer can survive and what comes next for the party.Meanwhile, Nigel Farage opens the door to a Reform–Tory coalition, signalling a potential realignment on the Right.And breaking news: police have declared a terrorist incident after two Jewish men were stabbed in London. Security expert Will Geddes and journalist Nicole Lampert react as concerns grow over antisemitism, extremism and public safety in the UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Britain facing a demographic tipping point and a growing security crisis? New projections warn of millions more migrants, a falling birth rate, and deaths set to outnumber births, putting pressure on the UK economy, housing and public services.Laurie Wastell and economist Paul Johnson break down the migration surge, population growth and economic impact.Meanwhile, the political pressure ramps up on Keir Starmer, with a deepening Mandelson scandal, Labour MPs in revolt, and fresh accusations of a cover-up at the top of government. Former adviser Kevin Meagher reacts.And breaking news: Alex Hearn joins with the latest on the Golders Green stabbing, as counter-terror police investigate, raising urgent questions about public safety, extremism and policing in London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.