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Society & Culture

Planet Normal

The Telegraph

The podcast that speaks your language. News and views from beyond the bubble with Telegraph columnists, Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan, every Thursday.

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  • 317 episodes
  • Updated Wednesday

Episodes317

Newest first
  • Sep 11, 2024 · 1 hr 4 min

    Winter fuel woes

    Autumn is slowly coming into view on the rocket of right thinking and the words on everyone’s lips are ‘winter fuel payments’. Labour won their round in the Commons but your co-pilots aren’t impressed with the party’s latest policy decisions. The Chancellor claims this decision is for the good of the economy, however Liam thinks that it doesn’t match up with the economy’s recent growth rate. Whilst Allison thinks the Chancellor is in danger of appearing ‘dalek like’ in the run up to the Autumn statement. And there’s an exciting stat of the week from Velma… And strapping in with a ‘clunk, click’ to give his take on the electric vehicle push, is CEO of Vertu motors, Robert Forrester, and why he thinks the UK just isn’t ready… Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ | Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/a/ak-ao/allison-pearson/ | Need help subscribing or reviewing? Learn more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ | Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk | For 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Sep 4, 2024 · 56 min

    It’s a (Tory leadership) knockout!

    It’s back to school and back to parliament so the co pilots have their news notes at the ready! Your co-pilots discuss the Tory leadership vote and analysis from the Phase 2 Grenfell Inquiry report. Liam places previous rocket stowaway Kemi Badenoch as a favourite to take over the Conservative party whereas Allison thinks the party needs to capitalise on Labour’s current position and elect a stronger more right leaning leader. Safely strapped in the rocket this week, to bring expert insight into the Grenfell Tower tragedy, is Former Chief of Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Iain Cox. And Allison spills the beans on her new weight loss ‘miracle’. Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ | Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/a/ak-ao/allison-pearson/ | Read Allison: ‘My miracle weight-loss jab has changed my life and will change the world’ : https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/09/04/mounjaro-weight-loss-jab-changed-my-life/ | Need help subscribing or reviewing? Learn more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ | Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk | For 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Aug 28, 2024 · 59 min

    Is he two tier Keir?

    As co-pilot Pearson makes a triumphant return to the rocket, sunkissed and well rested, there is no short of madness orbiting the rocket. But has the UK really gone back to the 70s? Allison thinks the PM’s Rose Garden speech was ‘tone deaf’ and with things only set to get worse, in the words of the PM, co pilot Halligan delivers some sobering economic predictions for the upcoming budget. Strapping into the cockpit this week is Director of the Free Speech Union, Toby Young who gives his take on the incoming government and why social media is not to blame for the recent riots in the UK. And there’s a triumphant return from Velma. Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ | Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/a/ak-ao/allison-pearson/ | Need help subscribing or reviewing? Learn more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ | Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk | For 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Aug 21, 2024 · 1 hr 5 min

    The rocket returns

    As co-pilot Pearson circles Heathrow waiting for clearance to land, Liam is joined by Planet Normal Cosmonaut Supreme, Baroness Claire Fox. There's been much madness to dissect since the rocket's last orbit. How is the new Labour government handling the Summer chaos? Claire is frustrated that the Tory leadership contest seems to be leaving the country without a strong opposition and that it might leave the Conservatives unable to challenge the Labour party. Whilst Liam is optimistic that new Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, has the potential to pull off the reform the National Health Service needs to get back on track. Stowing away on the rocket this week is author and Conservative Peer, Jon Moynihan who expresses his concern at Labour’s economic policies, saying they won’t create growth by ‘just cutting wages’. And there is a delve into the fumbling Planet Normal mailbag which is overflowing from the recent Summer break… Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ | Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/a/ak-ao/allison-pearson/ | Read more from Jon: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2024/08/18/uk-economy-growth-social-democracy-bankrupt-conservative/ | Need help subscribing or reviewing? Learn more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ | Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk | For 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Aug 14, 2024 · 39 min

    Best Voyages from the Rocket 2024 P3

    As summer comes to a close on Planet Normal, in this the third and final of the three part best of the rocket series, our co-pilots take a look back at some of their most explosive voyages on the rocket of right thinking from the year so far. In March, the co-pilots interviewed author and filmmaker Martin Durkin about his latest film Climate The Movie - The Cold Truth. The film takes issue with what he calls ‘climate alarmism’ - a trend which, Durkin says, does not reflect scientific reality. And finally, in April, Liam interviewed Tory Peer Dr Tony Sewell. Dr Sewell Chaired the committee which produced the highly-influential 2021 report of the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities. He joined the rocket of right thinking for a return mission again to discuss his new book Black Success. Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ | Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/a/ak-ao/allison-pearson/ | Need help subscribing or reviewing? Learn more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ | Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk | For 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Aug 7, 2024 · 37 min

    Best Voyages from the Rocket 2024 P2

    Summer continues on Planet Normal! In this, the second of the three part best of the rocket series, our co-pilots take a look back at some of their most explosive voyages on the rocket of right thinking from the year so far. In January Liam interviewed legendary former frontman of The Undertones, turned water campaigner, Feargal Sharkey. As well as discussing the state of the UK’s waterways Liam and Feargal also discussed relations between Ireland and the UK post Brexit, as well as his colourful musical career. Then, in May, just as the general election campaign was getting started Liam also spoke to Labour MP, and women’s rights advocate, Rosie Duffield. As an MP who has received abuse from some of her own colleagues for questioning trans self-identification, Rosie explains how she felt about being a member of the Labour Party after such a backlash. Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ | Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/a/ak-ao/allison-pearson/ | Need help subscribing or reviewing? Learn more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ | Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk | For 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Aug 2, 2024 · 51 min

    Kemi Badenoch on her Conservative Party leadership bid

    Joining Liam for a very special Planet Normal exclusive interview is the front-runner in the race to succeed Rishi Sunak as Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch. Fresh from announcing her bid, the MP for North West Essex joins Liam to discuss immigration, trade deals and how she thinks she can take the party forwards as leader of the opposition. Also joining them is former Tory MP for Bournemouth Conor Burns who discusses his experience in light of the recent bullying allegations against Kemi. Watch full length video with Kemi: https://youtu.be/kTmXlNHheXo Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ | Read: Kemi Badenoch Interview https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/08/02/kemi-badenoch-interview-integration-tory-leadership/ | Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/a/ak-ao/allison-pearson/ | Need help subscribing or reviewing? Learn more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ | Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk | For 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Jul 31, 2024 · 57 min

    Best Voyages from the Rocket 2024 P1

    It’s summer on Planet Normal so in this the first of the three part best of the rocket series, our co-pilots take a look back at some of their most explosive voyages on the rocket of right thinking from the year so far. Back in January, just after the realities of the Post Office Scandal had come to the fore courtesy of a hard-hitting ITV drama, Allison spoke to an anonymous insider from Fujitsu, the Japanese company that designed and managed the Horizon online accounting system that had caused so many problems for Post Office Sub-Postmaster trying to balance their books. “Robin” - not their real name - worked at Fujitsu in the mid 2000s and filled Allison in on what they experienced. And then, in April, Planet Normal listeners were joined by former Home Secretary Suella Braverman who told us about the barriers she faced when trying to tackle the surge in UK immigration - and her frustration with then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Two very revealing interviews! Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ | Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/a/ak-ao/allison-pearson/ | Need help subscribing or reviewing? Learn more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ | Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk | For 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Jul 17, 2024 · 57 min

    The King’s (Labour) Speech

    Joining Liam in the cockpit this week for a very special extended interview is Professor Matthew Goodwin.

  • Jul 3, 2024 · 46 min

    To the Polls!

    This episode was recorded on Wednesday the 3rd July before the polls opened for the general election

  • Jun 26, 2024 · 58 min

    Heat Wave of Politics

    Is the election shade being thrown threatening to spoil your co-pilots fun in the sun?

  • Jun 19, 2024 · 57 min

    The Anti-incumbency trend

    With the rocket hurtling towards the election, what do its inhabitants make of the latest manifesto madness? In light of the latest inflation figures Liam thinks the Conservatives need to be more honest about tax hikes, whilst Allison thinks that Reform’s policies are what should have been in the Conservative Party Manifesto, and might help pull back some disillusioned voters. Also joining your co-pilots for a return mission to the rocket is journalist and the Social Democratic Party candidate for Middlesbrough South, Rod Liddle, who gives the co-pilots an update on his campaign and the ‘soft’ deal his party has struck with Reform UK. And is it coming home? Allison gives her take on the Euros… Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ | Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/a/ak-ao/allison-pearson/ | Read Allison ‘Watching England with my menfolk introduced me to some odd rituals – and Gary Lineker’s Next range’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2024/06/19/england-euro-2024-gary-lineker-next-range-bbc/ | Need help subscribing or reviewing? Learn more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ | Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk | For 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Jun 5, 2024 · 1 hr

    Debating the debate

    Whilst co-pilot Pearson takes a well earned break from the rocket Liam is joined by a temporary co-pilot and fellow right thinker, Baroness Claire Fox.

  • May 22, 2024 · 59 min

    A cacophony of woe

    **Today's episode was recorded before the General Election announcement** There’s not one but two scandals to comment on this week as both the infected blood and Post office inquiries are front and centre. And both co-pilots share impassioned views about the latest ‘cacophony of woe’ coming from both. Allison thinks that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s response was unacceptable in the face of a ‘state sponsored massacre’. Whilst Liam says more eyes should be on the civil service in these inquiries who he thinks have been very good at ‘wriggling out of blame’. Also strapping into the rocket this week is MP for Canterbury, Rosie Duffield who gives her thoughts on the current Labour Party and why NHS maternity services have been letting down women for decades. And the countdown is on for the upcoming Planet Normal live event to celebrate the 200th orbit of the rocket… Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ | Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/a/ak-ao/allison-pearson/ | Read Allison ‘Horizon, maternity, infected blood – what other scandals await corrupt Britain?’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2024/05/21/infected-blood-scandal-horizon-maternity-corrupt-britain/ | Need help subscribing or reviewing? Learn more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ | Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk | For 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • May 8, 2024 · 55 min

    A Tory hammering

    With the local elections across England and Wales all over, who were the real winners and losers? And did the Tories really get hammered? Only your co-pilots have the answers. Liam ponders whether the Tory Party can hold it together long enough to get some sort of bounce back from potential impending economic uplifts. Whilst Allison thinks Tory mutiny is no longer a threat and that the plotters have given up all chance of a potential new leader. And what about Reform’s Nigel Farage? Will he? Won't he? Also hopping aboard to chat about the local election results, and what it means for his Party, is Conservative MP for Romford, Andrew Rosindell. Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ | Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/a/ak-ao/allison-pearson/ | Read Allison ‘I’m not a Covid conspiracy theorist. I was right’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/05/02/im-not-a-covid-conspiracy-theorist-i-was-right/ | Need help subscribing or reviewing? Learn more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ | Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk | For 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.