Afternoon Empire with Ian Collins

Iran war, UK foreign policy, and the risk of World War 3. Is Britain on the brink of a major Middle East conflict? As tensions rise between Iran, Israel and the United States, pressure is mounting on Keir Starmer over whether the UK should join military action. After criticism from Donald Trump, we break down the political fallout, the security risks, and what this means for Britain, NATO and global stability.Former Conservative MP and military expert Dr Bob Seely explains the military reality behind the Iran crisis, US strikes on Iran, and whether escalation in the Middle East could trigger a wider global conflict. We’re also joined by Urban Coningham from the Royal United Services Institute and journalist Emily Schrader to analyse Iran’s regime, regional tensions, and the geopolitical stakes for the UK, Europe and the West.Plus, investigative journalist David Collier discusses the growing controversy on UK campuses following reactions linked to Ali Khamenei, and the wider debate around extremism, free speech, universities, and British politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should the UK get involved in Iran? That’s the question dominating the latest episode as tensions in the Middle East escalate following reports of British backing for military action and suspected Iranian involvement in attacks near a RAF base in Cyprus.Security and intelligence expert Anthony Glees joins the show to assess the risks of escalation and what UK involvement could realistically look like. Anti-regime Iranian journalist Niyak Ghorbani explains how the situation is being viewed by Iranians inside and outside the country, and whether pressure on the regime is growing.Journalist and broadcaster Peter Oborne discusses the political and media reaction in Britain, including the debate over whether the UK should support or distance itself from any widening conflict.And Iranian-British human rights activist Lily Moo gives a perspective on the human rights implications, what ordinary Iranians are facing, and what role the UK should play moving forward.We break down the latest developments, the geopolitical stakes, and the big question: should Britain get involved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Annunziata Rees-Mogg joins to discuss the surge in Channel crossings after 545 migrants arrived in a single day, the busiest of the year so far, alongside mounting criticism of the UK’s deal with France and reports that small-boat arrivals are being processed in as little as 30 minutes. Is the government losing control of the border, and what should happen next?On the NHS, former Health Minister Steve Brine and Dr Tony O’Sullivan debate claims that doubling funding has failed to improve outcomes, amid fresh warnings about waste and long-term pressures on the health service.And Matt Ridley looks at the growing backlash over Net Zero and energy costs, as households are told bills would fall but many say they’re still paying more, raising questions about the direction of Britain’s energy policy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joe Twyman (Founder of DeltaPoll) and Tatton Spiller (Founder of Simple Politics) join the show as Westminster faces a mounting political storm around Sir Keir Starmer and the fallout from the Peter Mandelson row. With reports warning of a potential constitutional showdown over the handling of sensitive files linked to the Epstein case, we ask whether this could become the biggest test of Starmer’s leadership yet.Plus, former Home Office Minister Norman Baker reacts to fresh controversy over immigration after proposals linked to Green Party leadership hopeful Zack Polanski sparked outrage, including claims illegal migrants could be granted amnesty, housing and financial support. It comes as new reports suggest French authorities are failing to stop a large share of small boats crossing the Channel, fuelling renewed criticism of the UK–France migration deal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We ask whether anyone can still trust Labour as the fallout from the Peter Mandelson story continues to dominate Westminster. After being released on bail following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct, the pressure on the government is growing - and fresh questions are being raised about transparency and standards in public life. Clark Vasey (Director, Blue Collar Conservatism) and Daniel Bruce (Chief Executive, Transparency International UK) join the conversation.We also look at law and order and the politics of public safety after calls from Zia Yusuf and Reform UK to ban face coverings such as burqas and hoods in public spaces. Former police officer Graham Wettone gives his perspective on whether tougher measures would actually improve safety.And we examine the wider failures in the mental health and justice system following the revelations surrounding the Nottingham attacks case. Julian Hendy, founder of Hundred Families, discusses what needs to change after it emerged the killer had previously been known to services. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today Ian Collins asks Is Britain still a Christian country? After a series of controversies - from churches under threat and debates about religious identity to clashes over free speech on Britain’s streets - is the country changing in ways many people didn’t expect?Missionary Bishop Ceirion Dewar and commentator Fahima Mohamed join the discussion as Reform vows to block churches from being converted into mosques, a church fire raises concerns about the future of historic places of worship, and police defend a Christian preacher’s right to speak in an area described as “a Muslim area”.Then we turn to the battle over education and special needs funding. Commentator Caroline Farrow reacts to Labour’s plans to overhaul SEND support, with critics warning the reforms misunderstand what many children with autism and complex needs actually require - and whether mainstream schooling is always the right setting.A debate on faith, identity, free speech and the direction Britain is heading. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Collins opens with the extraordinary developments surrounding Prince Andrew, after his arrest over misconduct in public office allegations. Does the latest scandal mark a turning point for the monarchy - or will the institution withstand yet another crisis? Dickie Arbiter, former Press Secretary to the Queen, historian and author, Andrew Lownie, and former Old Bailey judge, Wendy Joseph KC, assess the legal, constitutional and reputational fallout.Then, the political impact beyond the Palace. With the Right increasingly fragmented and new movements emerging, what does a divided conservative vote mean for the future of British politics? Polling expert Sir John Curtice joins Ian to break down whether splits on the Right could ultimately keep the Left in power. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Collins is back.We begin with the battle for the future of the Right after Rupert Lowe launched a new party, throwing the conservative movement into fresh turmoil. With Reform, Restore and Advance now competing for the same voters, who actually has the momentum - and who will ultimately win the fight on the right? Ian is joined by Mayuran Senthilnathan (former Reform UK candidate), Charlie Downes (Campaign Director, Restore Britain) and Paul Thorpe (Advance UK College Member) to debate whether the movement is strengthening - or splintering.Then, a dramatic development in the Royal story as reports emerge about Prince Andrew’s arrest. What does it mean for the monarchy and the wider Epstein fallout? Ian discusses the latest with royal commentator Michael Cole and writer and journalist Valentine Low. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peter Cardwell sits in for Ian Collins, asking the question on everyone’s mind: which party can actually get the cost of living under control?As Keir Starmer insists easing household pressure is his top priority, William Yarwood from the Taxpayers’ Alliance and Reform UK’s economic message are put under the microscope following Robert Jenrick’s pledge to “restore stability” to Britain’s finances.We then turn to the real-world impact on employers and workers, with Tina McKenzie from the Federation of Small Businesses and business owner Debi Heath French reacting to Labour’s new workers’ rights reforms - with critics warning they risk driving up costs, cutting jobs and hammering small firms just as youth unemployment surges.And finally, former Defence Select Committee chair Tobias Ellwood joins us as Britain faces fresh controversy over the Chagos Islands, raising wider questions about sovereignty, security and government priorities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peter Cardwell sits in for Ian Collins on the Afternoon Empire.Journalist, Nicole Lampert, expresses her anger, after a video surfaced of a group of pro-Palestine canvassers door-to-door asking locals to boycott Israeli products, accused of engaging in a 'Jew hunt'.Independent Councillor, Hilary Schan, says Labour is "making their own councillors look stupid" after abandoning plans to cancel local elections, making it the 14th U-turn from the Government.Plus Richard Tice MP, joins Peter to discuss his new role as Business, Trade and Energy Spokesman which was announced today by Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peter Cardwell sits in for Ian Collins on the Afternoon Empire. He speaks with Mark Francois MP about Keir Starmer’s decision to delay local elections and his subsequent U-turn, as well as the ongoing debate surrounding the proposed deal over the Chagos Islands.The discussion then shifts to royal controversy, with Norman Baker examining renewed scrutiny of Prince Andrew in light of developments connected to the Jeffrey Epstein files.Political commentator Laila Cunningham also joins to discuss Starmer's local election u-turn and what it signals for the months ahead, before then discussing the recent news of Matt Lucas' experience encountering pro-Palestine protesters on the London Underground. Insightful and wide-ranging, this episode offers sharp analysis and candid conversation on the issues shaping Britain today.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Collins asks a question many parents are now openly debating: should men be banned from working in nurseries?Following shocking revelations about safeguarding failures that created what one report called a “perfect hunting ground” for abusers, social commentator David Shipley argues it’s time for a hard line to protect children - while Tone Langengen from the Tony Blair Institute responds with the policy case for reform rather than blanket bans. Former Conservative peer and writer Matt Ridley weighs in on whether modern ideology has overridden common sense when it comes to child safety.We also turn to energy and climate politics, as Tony Blair urges Labour to keep drilling for North Sea oil - just as Donald Trump scraps a key climate ruling in the US - raising fresh questions about whether the green agenda is finally colliding with economic reality. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Collins takes on a government many critics say is rewriting Britain without voters’ consent.As Labour moves to give the vote to 16-year-olds, Joanna Williams, author of How Woke Won, and Darren Hughes, chief executive of the Electoral Reform Society, clash over whether this is democratic renewal — or a cynical attempt to rig the electorate in Labour’s favour.We then turn to immigration and national identity, as former Deputy Speaker Nigel Evans reacts to Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s warning that Britain is being “colonised” by mass migration — and Keir Starmer’s demand that he apologise. Are political leaders finally being forced to confront the cost and cultural impact of open borders, or still trying to silence the debate?And finally, Christine Jardine MP joins us as Labour faces another storm over alleged establishment protection and links between senior figures and convicted sex offenders — fuelling accusations that Starmer’s government is run by a closed-door elite with one rule for them and another for everyone else. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Collins asks the question many voters are now openly raising: has this government dangerously lost touch with reality?Following a series of shocking crimes, including the jailing of an Afghan migrant for raping a schoolgirl and fresh reports of teenage stabbings in London schools - Ben Habib, leader of Advance UK, and Maria Bowtell, spokeswoman for Restore Britain, discuss whether Britain is paying the price for political decisions on immigration, policing and social order.We then turn to what critics are calling the political and cultural downfall of Britain, as Labour faces mounting backlash over accusations it has abandoned the working class while obsessing over elite priorities and internal power struggles. Ralph Schoellhammer, political theorist and head of the Center for Applied History at MCC Budapest, analyses whether Britain is now entering a period of managed decline and who is really paying the cost. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Collins asks the big question shaking Westminster and beyond: has Britain become ungovernable?As Keir Starmer battles to cling on after a dramatic showdown with rebellious Labour MPs - and ministers move to give the Prime Minister a political stay of execution amid market jitters - Adam Cherry, editorial director at Guido Fawkes, and Lord Peter Lilley, Conservative peer, assess whether Britain’s political system is now permanently stuck in crisis mode.We then turn to free speech on campus, as Jack Anderton, political commentator, and Philip Kiszely, senior fellow at the New Culture Forum, react to a university debating society banning a Reform MP from giving a talk - and ask whether open debate is being quietly dismantled in Britain’s institutions.And finally, energy entrepreneur Dale Vince, founder of Ecotricity, joins us after his viral intervention on X sparked a fresh political storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Collins asks the question dominating Westminster tonight: how long can Keir Starmer hang on?With senior figures including Tim Allan stepping away and the Prime Minister’s chief of staff Morgan McSweeney leaving Downing Street - as Labour MPs openly call for Starmer to resign - Peter Cardwell, former special adviser and author of The Secret Life of Special Advisers, joins Henri Murison, chief executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership and former Labour staffer, alongside Giles Dilnot, editor of ConservativeHome, to assess whether Starmer’s leadership is now in terminal decline or if he still has a route back from the brink.We then turn to immigration, with Sarah Pochin MP, Reform UK’s member for Runcorn & Helsby, responding to new figures showing small boat crossings at record levels under Starmer - and warnings that Britain’s asylum system is becoming a conveyor belt into long-term benefits. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Collins asks the political question now gripping Westminster: if Keir Starmer went tomorrow, who should replace him?Emma Burnell, editor of Labour List, and Charlie Rowley, political commentator, debate Labour’s leadership future as rumours swirl that Angela Rayner is positioning herself for a possible challenge while pressure mounts on the Prime Minister’s handling of the Mandelson scandal. Is Labour heading for a coronation, a civil war - or a total reset?We then turn to a controversial NHS initiative in Bradford. Iram Ramzan, writer on Middle Eastern and Muslim social issues, joins us to discuss the decision to recruit a nurse specifically to work with cousin-marriage families, and whether the health service is tackling genetic risk honestly - or tiptoeing around a sensitive cultural issue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Collins asks the central political question dominating Westminster today: should Keir Starmer resign?In a head-to-head debate, Sebastian Salek, Labour councillor for Waltham Forest and commentator, goes up against Benedict Spence, political commentator, as fresh revelations emerge that the Prime Minister knew Peter Mandelson had remained in contact with Jeffrey Epstein sparking fury inside Labour and open criticism from senior figures including Angela Rayner. Is Starmer’s leadership now fatally damaged, or can he ride out the storm?We then turn to the grooming gangs inquiry, with Samantha Smith, survivor of grooming and sexual abuse, joining us as new hearings begin into institutional failures to protect vulnerable children and whether long-promised justice is finally being delivered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Collins asks whether Britain is facing a crisis of institutional trust - or simply a series of high-profile rogue figures.Rupert Bell, Talk’s Royal Correspondent, and Isabel Oakeshott, International Editor at Talk, examine the deepening Epstein fallout, from Prince Andrew’s sudden removal from Royal Lodge to fresh police assessments of abuse allegations - and the growing pressure on Peter Mandelson amid reports of potential criminal investigation. Is this evidence of a corrupt establishment protecting itself, or a system finally being forced into the open?The focus then shifts to Britain’s struggling pub trade. Rory Hanrahan, pub landlord and writer, responds to claims from the Welsh First Minister that Netflix and home streaming are to blame for closures - and asks whether politicians are avoiding responsibility for tax, regulation and rising costs crushing local pubs.Finally, former Olympic runner Mara Yamauchi joins us to debate new claims that transgender athletes hold no biological advantage over women - and what the science, policy and fairness arguments really show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Collins examines the political and cultural fallout from a rapidly escalating Westminster scandal.Mark Stephens, lawyer, and Baroness Catherine MacLeod of Camusdarach, Labour peer, join the programme to assess what the latest revelations linking Peter Mandelson to Jeffrey Epstein mean for the Labour Party - and whether the allegations, police reviews and questions over conduct threaten Labour’s credibility on ethics, transparency and power.We then turn to Britain’s classrooms. Hilary Strong, lead of the Suds in Schools initiative, discusses growing concern over declining hygiene standards in schools, asking whether this is a symptom of neglect, squeezed budgets, or the wider cost-of-living crisis now hitting families and local authorities.Finally, Samara Gill, Talk reporter, brings us coverage from the Reform press conference on saving Britain’s pubs, joined by Jamey McIvor, as campaigners warn that taxation, regulation and political indifference are pushing community pubs to the brink. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Collins leads on mounting pressure over migration, public spending and political accountability.Darwin Friend, Research Director at the TaxPayers’ Alliance, joins us to break down new research showing council spending on migrant social care has risen by £83 million in five years - and what that means for already stretched local services. Katy Bourne, Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner and APCC lead for business crime, responds as Labour MPs revolt against plans to house asylum seekers in new council properties, with ministers privately warning of unrest at army bases being used for migrant accommodation.We then turn to the deepening Epstein fallout. Former Labour MP Simon Danczuk and Alexander Larman, author and US Books Editor at The Spectator, assess renewed legal threats facing Prince Andrew, calls for the Met Police to reopen their investigation, and the political shockwaves after Lord Mandelson resigned from the Labour Party amid fresh claims linking him to Epstein - as Donald Trump insists newly released files “absolve” him. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Collins examines three disturbing fault lines in modern Britain.We begin with the shocking rise in serious violence by children. Professor James Treadwell and consultant psychiatrist Raj Persaud explore what is driving extreme behaviour in young people from social breakdown and trauma to warning signs missed by institutions and ask whether Britain is failing to confront uncomfortable truths about youth violence.The focus then turns to the BBC, as Reem Ibrahim debates claims that the corporation’s diversity agenda has drifted into box-ticking at the expense of authenticity, working-class representation and older women and whether public trust is being eroded as a result.Finally, policing and crime commentator Danny Shaw joins the programme to assess Britain’s shoplifting epidemic, with thefts now running at staggering levels, and asks what soaring crime says about law enforcement, deterrence and social order. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Collins examines mounting questions over Labour’s direction at home and abroad. Political strategist Peter Barnes reacts to growing concern that Keir Starmer is delaying meaningful welfare reform, raising doubts about Labour’s appetite for structural change.Attention then turns to foreign policy, as Chung Ching Kwong, Senior Analyst at the Interparliamentary Alliance on China and Benedict Roger’s. The co-founder of Hong Kong watch scrutinises Starmer’s warming approach to Beijing — from diplomatic symbolism to controversial cooperation on Channel crossings — and what it signals about Britain’s global posture.Finally, Iranian-British human rights activist Lily Moo assesses escalating tensions in the Middle East after Donald Trump issues stark warnings to Iran, with the risk of confrontation once again rising on the world stage. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Collins asks are we ashamed to be patriotic?As Keir Starmer signals closer alignment with the EU, Lee Rotherham examines whether Brexit is being quietly reversed and what that means for sovereignty and democratic trust.We also look at growing cultural tensions as organised campaigns target national flags in public spaces - and what this says about identity, confidence and cohesion.Major General Tim Cross CBE discusses claims of a political “witch-hunt” against Iraq veterans, while Mark Littlewood assesses whether Britain has lost control of its borders amid mounting migration failures. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Collins is back in the chair.We lead on Suella Braverman’s shock defection to Reform UK and the turmoil it has unleashed on the Right. Sarah Pochin MP (Reform UK, Runcorn & Helsby) and former Tory Cabinet Minister David Gauke debate what her move means for Reform, the Conservatives, and the future of conservative politics.We then look at growing Labour unrest over Keir Starmer’s decision to block Andy Burnham’s return to Parliament, with former Labour adviser Kevin Meagher on whether the row could cost Labour at the ballot box.Finally, Conservative peer and former Home Office minister Baroness Rachel Maclean on the fallout from the scrapped Rwanda asylum plan and the risk of a costly legal bill for taxpayers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peter Cardwell sits in for Ian Collins.We lead on the shock defection of former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who has quit the Conservatives to join Reform UK, sending fresh tremors through the Right and piling pressure on Kemi Badenoch’s leadership. What does Braverman’s move mean for the future of the Conservative Party - and does it accelerate a wider realignment of the British Right?Robert Jenrick MP (Reform UK, Newark), Jo Tanner (Political Strategist), Marco Longhi (Reform UK member and former Conservative MP) and Andrew Allison (Head of Campaigns, Popular Conservatism) debate whether Braverman’s defection is a one-off shock or the moment the floodgates open - and whether Reform is now positioning itself as the true home of the conservative movement. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Collins is joined by a heavyweight panel to unpack Labour’s internal power struggles and Britain’s stance on the Middle East.Paul Embery, writer, trade unionist and author of Despised, debates with Kevin Meagher, former Labour adviser, and Liv Ouewhand, local government commentator, as reports suggest Keir Starmer’s allies are manoeuvring to block Andy Burnham’s return to Parliament. Is Labour closing ranks - and who really holds the power?Jonathan Sacerdoti, writer and broadcaster, then turns to the Middle East after Jared Kushner unveils plans for a luxury “New Gaza” development. The panel also reacts to claims that Starmer’s security chief wants Hamas to retain some of its weapons - raising serious questions about Labour’s foreign policy judgement and Britain’s role in the region. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Collins examines Donald Trump’s dramatic Greenland deal and what it means for global security and Western power, with Admiral Mike Hewitt, retired US Navy officer, and Alan Mendoza, Reform UK’s Chief Adviser on Global Affairs, breaking down how Washington’s move reshapes NATO, the Arctic, and Britain’s strategic interests.The focus then shifts back to Britain’s migration crisis as Nigel Evans, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, and Ivon Sampson, immigration lawyer, react to plans for a 65-strong unit to hunt down 53,000 illegal migrants still at large — and the first migrants being moved into former Army barracks amid mounting public anger.Finally, Hamish de Bretton-Gordon OBE, former British Army colonel, joins Ian to warn that Sir Keir Starmer’s proposed Troubles legislation could put lives at risk, as critics accuse Labour of rewriting the past and weakening national security. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Collins asks whether Britain should align itself more closely with the EU or the United States as Donald Trump tells Sir Keir Starmer to “fix” the UK and brands London a global problem. Professor Anand Menon, Professor of European Politics and Foreign Affairs at King’s College London, examines Trump’s White House intervention, the warning over Greenland, and what it means for Britain’s place between Washington and Brussels.Author and former European Commission official Peter Wilding reacts to Trump’s headline-grabbing Davos speech and assesses how shifting US priorities could reshape Britain’s future relationship with Europe.Independent MP and Restore Britain leader Rupert Lowe joins us to discuss Labour’s welfare expansion, as new figures suggest 1.5 million more people are being placed on benefits with no requirement to work - and what that means for public trust and economic credibility.And Maurice Cousins, Campaign Director at Net Zero Watch, scrutinises Labour’s £15bn Warm Homes Plan, including the rollout of Chinese-made solar panels, the true cost of decarbonising Britain’s housing stock, and whether the policy will really cut bills or deepen dependence on Beijing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Collins unpacks another day of hot topics in the news. He is joined by former headteacher Serge Cefai to discuss Labour’s apparent U-turn on banning under-16s from social media, unpacking whether it should or shouldn't go ahead.Foreign Affairs Analyst Daniel Davis joins Ian to react to Donald Trump’s explosive criticism of the UK over the Chagos Islands and rising tensions around Greenland. Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat councillor Adrian Betteridge joins to defend controversial 20mph speed limits amid claims voters are being ignored. Plus, journalist and filmmaker Andrew Drury discusses the prospect of Shamima Begum being freed as violence escalates near her Syrian detention camp. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Collins examines the accelerating collapse of the Conservative Party as senior Tory Andrew Rosindell defects to Reform. Andrew Allison, Head of Campaigns at Popular Conservatism, and former Reform UK candidate Mayuran Senthilnathan debate whether the right is undergoing a permanent realignment, as Robert Jenrick warns that too many Conservative MPs would now feel more at home in the Liberal Democrats. The panel also discusses the backlash after Lisa Nandy branded a future Reform government “fascist”, with critics warning such language risks making British politics more volatile and dangerous.Frank Furedi, Director of MCC Brussels, joins us to explore growing public unease with global elites and democratic accountability. We look at what really happens behind closed doors at the World Economic Forum in Davos, and why distrust in political and economic institutions continues to deepen across Europe.Finally, Maria Bowtell, Pink Lady and spokeswoman for Restore Britain, reacts to renewed outrage over the asylum system. We examine cases of convicted foreign sex offenders fighting deportation on human rights grounds, alongside reports of rejected asylum seekers still receiving thousands of pounds in UK benefits - and what this means for public confidence in immigration policy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Collins is joined by Dan Hodges, Commentator at the Mail on Sunday, and Matthew Goodwin-Freeman, Conservative Councillor for Hatch End, to unpack the political shockwaves after Robert Jenrick defects to Reform, accusing the Conservatives of having “broken Britain” as Kemi Badenoch moves to contain the fallout. They discuss what Jenrick’s jump says about the future of the Tory party, the growing pull of Reform, and whether the Right is heading for a full realignment.The panel then turns to policing and public trust with Nicole Lampert, Journalist, as pressure mounts on West Midlands Police following an antisemitism row, reports of a senior police chief expected to resign, and claims that a police commissioner offered a mosque a “blank cheque” amid an Israeli football fan controversy. What does this tell us about leadership, accountability and confidence in Britain’s police?Finally, Dr Rakib Ehsan, Social Policy Expert, examines Labour’s push to rebrand “Islamophobia” as “anti-Muslim hostility”, with critics warning it could entrench two-tier policing and further chill free speech. Is the redefinition necessary protection, or another flashpoint in Britain’s deepening culture and identity wars? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Collins dissects a turbulent day in British politics as claims of democratic backsliding, Tory infighting and culture-war legislation collide. Kevin Schofield, Political Editor at HuffPost UK, breaks down the backlash after four million voters are denied a say with the cancellation of May’s local elections, and what it means for accountability and trust in politics. Maxwell Harrison, Reform UK councillor for Sheppey, reacts from the insurgent Right, arguing the move hands power to Westminster while shutting voters out.Isabel Oakeshott, Talk’s International Editor, joins to analyse the shock sacking of Robert Jenrick and what Kemi Badenoch’s decision to suspend the shadow justice secretary tells us about discipline, direction and divisions inside the Conservative Party. And Dr Daniel Allington, Reader in Social Analytics at King’s College London and Senior Associate Fellow at the Counter Extremism Group, warns Labour’s plan to rebrand “Islamophobia” as “anti-Muslim hostility” could have serious consequences for free speech, policing and the law, following a new report branding the proposals more dangerous than ministers admit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Collins examines another turbulent day in British politics as Sir Keir Starmer performs his 13th U-turn, rowing back on plans for compulsory digital ID cards after a public backlash over civil liberties and immigration control. Social and political commentator James Melville is joined by Alexander Iosad, Director of Government Innovation Policy at the Tony Blair Institute, to debate what the reversal tells us about Labour’s grip on power, digital governance, and public trust.The focus then shifts to the Chagos Islands as the government faces mounting criticism over its deal with Mauritius. Tessa Clarke, editor of Chagos Files, and Lord Daniel Hannan, Conservative peer and former adviser to the UK Board of Trade, respond to a rare House of Lords rebuke and growing demands from Chagossians for reparations - raising fresh questions about sovereignty, accountability and Britain’s global standing.Finally, Ian looks to Iran as pressure intensifies on the UK to ban the IRGC as a terrorist organisation. Iranian activist Armin Navabi reacts to Donald Trump’s message to Iranian protesters and reports of US frustration with Starmer’s reluctance to act, as protests spread and the West weighs how far it is willing to go. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Collins is joined by Jonathan Gullis, former Deputy Chair of the Conservative Party turned Reform defector, alongside Conservative councillor Zak Wagman, to ask whether Reform should actively welcome disillusioned Tories - as fresh rows erupt over defections, peerages and the future shape of the Right following claims Nadhim Zahawi “begged” for a Tory peerage before jumping ship.Former head of the UK government’s Office for AI Sana Khareghani examines mounting pressure on Elon Musk’s X, as Ofcom investigates the platform over its Grok AI being used to generate child abuse images, with ministers openly considering an outright ban and new laws set to criminalise the creation of sexualised AI imagery.Iranian-British human rights activist Lily Moo discusses growing protests against the Iranian regime in London, Nigel Farage’s controversial appearance outside the Iranian embassy, and escalating international pressure on Tehran - including Donald Trump’s announcement of new 25% tariffs on countries doing business with Iran. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Collins asks whether the West should intervene in Iran as pressure grows on Keir Starmer to proscribe the IRGC as a terrorist organisation. Matthew Syed, columnist for The Times and The Sunday Times, examines the case for branding Iran’s Revolutionary Guards terrorists amid mass protests on the streets of London and across the world against the Iranian regime - and what intervention, sanctions or restraint would really achieve.Human rights activist Gio Esfan joins us with first-hand insight into Tehran’s crackdown, the global protest movement, and fresh concerns after the UAE restricted funding for students studying in Britain over radicalisation fears. We also turn to the culture and free-speech front. Philip Kiszely of the New Culture Forum analyses the escalating row over Elon Musk’s X facing potential UK action, alongside Conservative plans to ban social media for under-16s and what this means for speech, security and state power. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Ian Collins today for a gripping episode covering two major stories.Ian speaks with James Melville about Labour’s controversial digital ID scheme. With ministers ordered to find departmental budget cuts to fund the £1.8 billion rollout, the discussion explores privacy concerns, public backlash, and political tensions in Westminster.Later, Ian talks to Goldie Ghamari about the largest anti-government protests in Iran in years. With nationwide internet blackouts, violent crackdowns, and economic hardship sparking unrest across 111 cities, they examine the human impact and wider implications of the demonstrations.From UK politics to global human rights, Ian Collins delivers expert insight on today’s most pressing stories. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on the Ian Collins podcast, a hard-hitting line-up covering politics, public safety, national policy, defence, and health. Rupert Lowe MP joins Ian to discuss the latest Met Police controversy, where officers with serious offences reportedly joined the force after vetting checks were dropped in a rush to meet recruitment targets. They dig into the implications for policing standards and public safety.Dawn Hopkins, a pub landlord, joins Ian to share her perspective from the frontline of Britain’s pubs. With rising business rates and the end of Covid-era relief threatening thousands of community pubs, we explore what real support for the industry looks like.Sean Bell breaks down the UK’s role in supporting the US seizure of the Russian-flagged oil tanker Marinera in the North Atlantic an operation that has raised questions about sanctions enforcement, international law, and tensions with Moscow.Finally, Toni Russo, obesity nurse consultant joins the conversation about new research showing that people often regain weight rapidly after stopping weight-loss jabs, sparking debate over long-term obesity strategies and the future of weight management in the UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Ian Collins is joined by Macer Gifford to discuss the war in Ukraine and the agreements being made by Keir Starmer to put more boots on the ground. Former Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Davis then offers military and foreign affairs analysis on the UK and France committing troops under potential peace plans, and growing tensions between Europe and Donald Trump over Greenland.Later on, Edmund King joins the programme to discuss proposed changes to drink-driving laws, including lowering the legal limit, tougher penalties for offenders, and whether the measures would genuinely improve road safety or risk unintended consequences for drivers and the hospitality sector.Danny Shaw joins Ian to examine the controversy surrounding the decision to bar Israeli fans from an Aston Villa match, the intelligence cited by police, claims of anti-Semitism, and the wider implications for policing, public order, and community trust. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today’s Afternoon Empire with Ian Collins, we start with Orla Minihane, who discusses the local and national impact of migration, from the plans to house hundreds of small-boat arrivals at a nearby Army Camp to the council’s CCTV upgrades and the wider fallout from a secret Afghan asylum scheme. Then Rear Admiral Chris Parry joins the conversation to unpack the international tensions sparked by Donald Trump’s renewed talk of Greenland, exploring the implications for NATO, Denmark, and global security. Finally, Mike Neville takes us through a series of stories at the intersection of law, policing, and justice from bereaved Manchester Arena families demanding accountability from MI5, to extremism and travel bans, controversial policing decisions in football, and the government’s stance on terrorism charge limits. It’s a gripping episode covering migration, geopolitics, and the challenges facing law and order today.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Over the weekend, Donald Trump ordered a U.S. operation capturing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, sparking global backlash. He's also reviving interest in Greenland, raising questions about U.S. direction. Ian debates if Trump was right, joined by former Trump deputy campaign manager Rick Gates who is in support of Trump’s decision, and U.S. commentator Laurie Laird who discusses the UK fallout, including pressure on Keir Starmer to condemn it despite no British involvement. Later, communications consultant and ex-Brexit Party press head Liam Deacon joins Ian to criticize Keir Starmer over fresh "Brexit betrayal" accusations amid plans for closer single market ties.Finally, Ian addresses revelations that at least 30 dangerous patients released from secure hospitals have committed murders since 1993, often after secret tribunals excluding victims' families, calling for more transparency and tougher sentencing. He's joined by Emma Webber, mother of Barnaby Webber, killed in the 2023 Nottingham attacks by paranoid schizophrenic Valdo Calocane, who was deemed low-risk despite rising violence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Collins asks whether the Right should unite as fresh polling shows Kemi Badenoch closing in on Nigel Farage, but Reform UK and the Conservatives still failing to outpace a fractured Left. Green Party councillor Martin Abrams and Reform UK board member Gawain Towler debate the case for and against an election pact, as senior Tories openly discuss cooperation and questions grow about whether division is handing Labour an advantage.Later, Annunziata Rees-Mogg, Head of Communications for Popular Conservatism and former MEP, responds to the EHRC chief’s claim that migration should not be described as a threat to Britain. She also reacts to reports of an Albanian kingpin allegedly smuggling migrant criminals out of the UK, raising wider questions about enforcement, border control and whether the political establishment is refusing to confront reality. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kevin O’Sullivan sits in for Ian Collins as the show tackles the growing row over free speech and protest in Britain. Journalist Nicole Lampert joins us to discuss police moves to arrest pro-Palestine demonstrators who chant “globalise the intifada”, and whether the line between public order and political expression is being dangerously redrawn.Later, Talk international editor Isabel Oakeshott reacts to the case of a man jailed over anti-immigrant social media posts seen by just 33 people, raising fresh questions about proportionality, policing online speech, and whether Britain is drifting towards criminalising opinions rather than actions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Collins examines the mounting pressure on the NHS as junior doctors begin a five-day strike at the same time hospitals are grappling with a sharp winter flu surge. Dr Dean Eggitt, GP and CEO of Doncaster Local Medical Committee, breaks down the impact of industrial action on frontline services, staffing levels and patient safety, amid warnings that elderly patients could be left stranded in hospital over Christmas and into the New Year.We then turn to the future of the BBC, as Labour proposals raise the prospect of free TV licences for benefits claimants, the introduction of advertising, and major programmes being placed behind a paywall. Rebecca Ryan, Campaign Director at Defund the BBC, joins the show to discuss whether the licence fee is finally becoming unsustainable, what BBC reform could look like, and how these changes would affect audiences, public trust and the broadcaster’s long-term future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Collins asks whether diversity really is Britain’s strength in the wake of the Bondi Beach massacre and the wider debate around multiculturalism and antisemitism. Philip Kiszely, senior fellow at the New Culture Forum, examines whether decades of multicultural policy have failed, while Danny Stone, CEO of the Antisemitism Policy Trust, discusses the surge in antisemitic rhetoric and activism following the attack, including protests chanting “long live the intifada” and revelations about the attacker’s radicalisation.Reform UK chairman Dr David Bull joins us as fury grows over junior doctors pressing ahead with a five-day strike despite a worsening flu outbreak, and warnings that elderly patients could be left stranded in hospital over Christmas. We also hear from Sun columnist David Wooding, as he reacts to the sentencing of Paul Doyle following the city’s parade attack. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Collins examines the Bondi Beach massacre after gunmen were revealed as a father and son who killed 15 people in an attack described as an act of pure evil at a Jewish festival. Security analyst and international terrorism expert Duncan Gardham breaks down what we know about the attackers, the ideology behind the violence, and the wider terror threat facing Jewish communities. Keith Fraser, founder of an Israel solidarity movement, joins us to discuss the impact on diaspora communities and fears of rising antisemitic violence.Later, Reform councillor in Westminster and former Crown Prosecutor Laila Cunningham analyses mounting tensions over migration policy, as thousands march in Crowborough for a sixth consecutive week against plans to house 600 migrants in army barracks. We also examine Labour’s admission that its small boats strategy is failing after 40,000 crossings this year, and the controversy over migrants citing trauma and PTSD in court to seek reduced sentences for serious sexual offences. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Collins examines whether Britain is sliding back toward pandemic-style measures after Wes Streeting warns the NHS could “collapse” under record flu hospitalisations and looming strikes. Professor Karol Sikora analyses why hospitals are overwhelmed, whether masks or lockdown-style steps could return, and what the government should be doing instead.Richard Kilpatrick from the European Movement and Gawain Towler of Reform UK debate explosive claims from leaked US documents suggesting Donald Trump wants to push four countries out of the EU as part of a “Make Europe Great Again” strategy — and what this could mean for Britain and Europe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Collins asks whether ethnicity should play any role in how Britain understands and tackles crime. Former Labour adviser James Matthewson joins us to break down the row after Labour MPs complained about a minister’s comments on race, as the Government prepares a new grooming-gangs inquiry that will explicitly examine the ethnicity and religion of offenders. Social commentator David Shipley assesses whether this marks a necessary moment of reckoning or a dangerous political shift.Later, Amy Gallagher — commentator at the New Culture Forum and former NHS nurse at the Tavistock Clinic — reacts to growing outrage over Labour’s new puberty-blocker trial for 220 children, branded “grotesque” by critics and accused of amounting to “chemical castration”. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Collins examines Sir Keir Starmer’s call to curb the powers of the European Court of Human Rights as Labour scrambles to get a grip on illegal migration. Liam Deacon, former Brexit Party Head of Press, breaks down the scale of the asylum crisis from spiralling absconding rates to a Home Office that can’t even say how many migrants have vanished. Dr Mike Galsworthy of the European Movement UK joins to challenge the premise, arguing that stripping back ECHR protections would create legal and diplomatic chaos rather than solutions.James Melville responds to extraordinary guidance from NHS leaders urging people with a common cold to wear masks in public, raising questions about public health policy, social pressure and whether Britain is drifting back towards a “new normal” without debate.Later, Dorset publican Andy Lennox, spokesman for the “No Labour MPs in Pubs” campaign, explains why hospitality bosses are banning Labour MPs over business-rates changes they say could devastate the sector, and what the industry wants Rachel Reeves to hear before it’s too late. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Collins asks whether Britain is still a Christian country after a teacher is banned for telling a Muslim pupil that the UK has a Christian heritage. Tim Dieppe, Head of Public Policy at Christian Concern, explains what this case means for free expression, British identity, and whether stating historical fact is now professionally dangerous.David Wooding, Columnist at The Sun, joins Ian in the studio to examine Sir Keir Starmer’s latest attempt to “connect with voters” on TikTok and why Labour insiders say he needed a ‘grown-up’s guide’ to using the app.Later, Susan Hall, Conservative London Assembly member, reacts to shocking claims that full footage of an Afghan asylum seeker’s attack on a schoolgirl “would start a riot” if released. She discusses public confidence, policing, transparency, and what this case reveals about Labour’s broader handling of crime and migration. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.