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PODCAST

Afternoon Empire with Ian Collins

Join Ian Collins on Talk for a lively, no-nonsense look at the day’s biggest stories, from politics and current affairs to culture and entertainment. Ian dives deep with expert guests, outspoken commentators, and compelling callers, bringing fresh angles and sharp analysis to everything making headlines. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

news & politics

All Episodes

28:22

Working People Squeezed, Energy Bailout Row & Iran...

Afternoon Empire with Ian Collins ·

2026/03/25

Is this government the enemy of working people? As the cost-of-living crisis deepens, anger is growing over plans that could see middle-income households footing the bill for targeted energy support. With Rachel Reeves’ proposed energy bailout focused on those claiming benefits, critics warn of a widening divide between working families and state support. Former Deputy Speaker Nigel Evans joins to discuss whether Labour’s economic approach is punishing the very people it claims to represent.We also

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28:57

Sleeper Cell Fears, Migrant Deal Chaos & UK Energy...

Afternoon Empire with Ian Collins ·

2026/03/24

Is Britain safe? Fears over national security are growing following reports of a potential Iranian sleeper cell operating in the UK, raising urgent questions about extremism, intelligence failures and the country’s ability to respond to emerging threats. Barak Seener from the Henry Jackson Society assesses the risk of sleeper cells, hostile state activity and what it means for Britain’s internal security.Investigative journalist David Shipley joins to discuss the latest on the small boats crisis, as

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27:03

Public Prayer Ban Row, Labour Civil War & Migration...

Afternoon Empire with Ian Collins ·

2026/03/20

Should public prayer be banned in Britain? A fierce debate has erupted over religion, free expression and public space after calls to restrict public prayer sparked political backlash. Theologian Theo Hobson and writer Jonathan Sacerdoti debate whether public displays of religion strengthen community life - or risk deepening division.The row comes as Kemi Badenoch accuses Keir Starmer of pandering for political support, while Nigel Farage faces criticism over calls to ban Muslim public prayer -

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31:25

Surveillance State Row, Migrant U-Turn & Brexit...

Afternoon Empire with Ian Collins ·

2026/03/19

Is technology making Britain safer or creating a surveillance state? As the government rolls out a major expansion of GPS tagging and live monitoring for offenders, including domestic abusers and violent criminals, we ask where the line is between public safety and personal privacy. Former Met Police detective Peter Bleksley and freedom campaigner Montgomery Toms debate whether increased surveillance is the answer to rising crime or a step too far for civil liberties.We also examine the latest

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29:36

Extremism Fears, Hamas Row, Starmer Pressure &...

Afternoon Empire with Ian Collins ·

2026/03/18

Concerns about extremism, integration and social cohesion are back in focus as new polling suggests British Muslims are significantly more likely than the general public to hold favourable views of the Iranian regime, alongside more hostile attitudes towards the US and Israel. Dr Rakib Ehsan from the Policy Exchange joins to unpack what this means for community relations, foreign policy attitudes and national security in Britain as debate grows over antisemitism, radicalisation and recent court

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37:13

Starmer vs Trump on Iran, Reform UK Energy Bills...

Afternoon Empire with Ian Collins ·

2026/03/17

Should Keir Starmer assist the Americans? With tensions escalating in the Iran conflict and the strategic Strait of Hormuz under threat, pressure is mounting on Britain to support the United States militarily. Donald Trump has criticised Keir Starmer for refusing to join operations to secure the Gulf shipping lane, raising serious questions about the UK–US alliance, NATO cooperation and Britain’s role in global security. Former NATO and Royal Navy commander Chris Parry assesses the military reality

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25:16

Starmer Under Pressure, Al-Quds March Row & heating...

Afternoon Empire with Ian Collins ·

2026/03/16

Do you believe Keir Starmer has Britain’s back? As political pressure builds on the Prime Minister, we examine whether the government is showing strong leadership at home and abroad.Writer and broadcaster Emma Trimble and Jonathan Gullis debate the fallout from the controversial Al-Quds Day march in London, where protesters were filmed praising Ali Khamenei and chanting against Benjamin Netanyahu, raising questions about extremism, policing and Britain’s response.We also look at the growing

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25:29

UK Economy Stalls, Cost of Living Crisis & Mandelson...

Afternoon Empire with Ian Collins ·

2026/03/13

How do we kickstart the UK economy? With growth stalling and fresh figures showing Britain struggling to gain momentum, questions are growing about whether the government has a credible plan to get the economy moving again.Economist Paul Johnson joins to break down the latest UK GDP figures, why growth has slowed, and what policies could realistically boost productivity, investment and wages.Campaign coordinator Conor O’Shea from Cost of Living Action discusses the pressure households are facing as

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31:57

Starmer Survival, Mandelson–Epstein Row & Britain’s...

Afternoon Empire with Ian Collins ·

2026/03/12

How much longer can Keir Starmer survive? Pressure is mounting on the Prime Minister as new reports claim Keir Starmer ignored warnings from senior aides about the reputational risks surrounding Peter Mandelson and his links to Jeffrey Epstein. With the Mandelson controversy refusing to fade, Labour councillor Sebastian Salek and former Brexit Party press chief Liam Deacon debate whether Starmer’s leadership is now in serious danger.Author and Spectator writer Joanna Williams joins to discuss the

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30:56

Digital ID Debate, Islamophobia Law Row & Mandelson...

Afternoon Empire with Ian Collins ·

2026/03/11

Would you ever trust a digital ID? The government’s plans for a UK digital identity system are under renewed scrutiny amid warnings about privacy, surveillance and the power of the state. As Keir Starmer reportedly considers changes to digital ID proposals over privacy concerns, journalist and author Alex Klaushofer and Alexander Iosad from the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change debate whether digital ID could modernise government services or create a dangerous new level of state control.We also

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29:20

Islamophobia Law Row, Iran War Escalation & Britain’s...

Afternoon Empire with Ian Collins ·

2026/03/10

Islamophobia: is it a backdoor to blasphemy laws? The government’s new definition of anti-Muslim hatred, and the appointment of an “anti-Muslim hostility” tsar, has reignited a fierce debate about free speech, religion and the limits of criticism in Britain. Connie Shaw from the Free Speech Union joins to discuss whether the move risks chilling open debate, as schools are urged to monitor anti-Muslim hostility and ministers insist the policy will still protect freedom of expression.We also examine

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30:24

Energy Security, Iran’s New Ayatollah & Britain’s...

Afternoon Empire with Ian Collins ·

2026/03/09

How can the UK ensure energy security as war in the Middle East threatens global oil supplies? With crude prices surging toward $100 a barrel and fears growing over a potential battle for the Strait of Hormuz, we examine whether Britain is prepared for a global energy shock.Former Royal Navy commander Tom Sharpe OBE explains what a conflict in the Gulf could mean for global shipping lanes, the Royal Navy, and Britain’s ability to protect energy supplies. Gawain Towler, board member of Reform UK,

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25:04

Has Britain lost its respect on the world stage?

Afternoon Empire with Ian Collins ·

2026/03/06

As tensions with Iran escalate and the transatlantic alliance shows signs of strain, questions are growing over Britain’s global standing. With criticism mounting from Washington and concerns about the UK’s military readiness, is the country losing influence among its allies?Columnist David Wooding joins to discuss the political fallout after Donald Trump’s latest attacks on Sir Keir Starmer and claims Britain is failing to project strength internationally.Former US Army Europe commander General

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31:36

Iran War, Starmer Under Fire & Britain’s Immigration...

Afternoon Empire with Ian Collins ·

2026/03/05

Britain’s role in the escalating Iran conflict is under intense scrutiny. Former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith and former Shadow Attorney General Sir Bill Cash debate whether the UK should be standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the US and Israel, or holding back, as reports suggest Middle East allies feel Britain has “failed” them and Cabinet divisions emerge over Donald Trump’s war strategy.Former Home Office minister Norman Baker reacts to Keir Starmer’s latest speech on Iran and what

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31:18

War Leadership: Who Should Lead Britain in a Global...

Afternoon Empire with Ian Collins ·

2026/03/04

Who would best lead Britain through war? We debate the leadership question dominating UK politics as Keir Starmer faces mounting criticism from allies and opponents alike, and even jibes from Donald Trump comparing him unfavourably to Churchill.Joining us: Katy Balls, Patrick Cockburn, Daniel Hannan, and Natasha Hausdorff.We discuss the UK’s war readiness, the future of the UK-US special relationship, rising tensions in the Middle East, and Iran’s claim of control over the Strait of Hormuz, a

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27:21

Iran War, Starmer Under Fire & The Risk of World War 3

Afternoon Empire with Ian Collins ·

2026/03/03

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

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31:11

Britain and Iran: On the Brink of War?

Afternoon Empire with Ian Collins ·

2026/03/02

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

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25:03

Fight for the Right & the royal arrest

Afternoon Empire with Ian Collins ·

2026/02/19

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

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28:33

Who can fix the cost of living crisis?

Afternoon Empire with Ian Collins ·

2026/02/18

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

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36:29

No Idea Keir

Afternoon Empire with Ian Collins ·

2026/02/17

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 ofengaging 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 discusshis

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133 results

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