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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
  • May 1, 2024 · 53 min

    Wormholes of Woke

    Election fever has reached the rocket this week as the co-pilots await the results from local polling stations up and down the country. And there’s nothing short of a tsunami of politics in Scotland. Allison thinks the progressive Left are finally being confronted by the consequences of their policies in light of First Minister, Humza Yousaf’s resignation. Whilst Liam thinks Scotland’s leadership decision will play a crucial part determining Labour’s future in the country. Strapping into the rocket this week to pay tribute to her friend the late Frank Field is Baroness Kate Hoey who also gives her take on the latest relations between Ireland and the UK And there’s an exciting announcement about the upcoming Planet Normal Event… Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ | Read Liam: ‘Frank Field’s warnings on benefits Britain went unheeded’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2024/04/28/frank-field-britain-sicknote-culture-welfare-state/ Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/a/ak-ao/allison-pearson/ | Read Allison ‘The SNP hasn’t realised that ‘socially conservative’ is actually normal’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2024/05/01/humza-yousaf-kate-forbes-snp-social-conservatism-normal/ | Read Robert Mendick: The images that show the two sides of AstraZeneca’s vaccine ‘miracle’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/04/30/astrazeneca-vaccine-jamie-scott-class-action-side-effects/ 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 | Get tickets for Planet Normal event: telegraph.co.uk/events For 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Apr 24, 2024 · 58 min

    A protest too far

    Strapping into the rocket this week and calling for the resignation of Met Police Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, is former Home Secretary and Conservative MP Suella Braverman. She also explains why she thinks it’s time we left the European Convention of Human Rights and her exasperation at her party's 'scramble for the centre-ground'. Elsewhere on the podcast, Allison is convinced the passing of the Rwanda Bill is Rishi Sunak’s desperate last trump card, while Liam asks the question: have recent protests gone too far? And both co-pilots indulge in some reminiscing of the Spice Girls, and pay tribute to the passing of former Labour MP Frank Field. 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 ‘Britain’s Jews fear for their lives because Sir Mark Rowley is a weak coward’ : https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2024/04/23/jews-dont-believe-have-future-in-uk-met-police-mark-rowley/ | Read Allison ‘The Rwanda Bill won’t stop people backing Reform – Tory voters have had enough’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2024/04/24/rwanda-bill-will-not-stop-people-voting-for-reform/ 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.

  • Apr 17, 2024 · 54 min

    The Battle of Brussels

    The Battle of Brussels With co-pilot Pearson making a triumphant return to the rocket this week there’s much madness to discuss including the Cass report, what the Office of Budget Responsibility is really about and some drama from Brussels… Joining your co-pilots to share what really happened at the explosive National Conservative Conference in Brussels is MP Miriam Cates, who explains why the events that unfolded were so chilling for our freedom of speech. Allison also reveals some exclusive extracts from her recent interview with former Liz Truss and Liam explains why the claims that the former PM ‘crashed the economy’ are simply a myth. Also hopping aboard to discuss the worrying state of Iranian relations to the West is British historian of Iranian history Daniel Rad. 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’s interview with Liz Truss: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/04/15/liz-truss-interview-ten-years-to-save-the-west/ \ 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.

  • Apr 10, 2024 · 59 min

    The case of the Cass Report

    Baroness Claire Fox straps into the cockpit this week to take the helm and tackle the madness alongside co-pilot Halligan. And there's no shortage of febrile pre-election news on the horizon. In light of the publication of the highly anticipated Cass Report, Baroness Fox celebrates the media’s balanced reaction. Liam ponders whether Reform UK could reinvigorate the debate about proportional representation, should they win enough seats in the upcoming local and general elections, whilst Claire thinks the Party will undoubtedly benefit from disillusion of the Conservative Party's core voters. Stowing away on the rocket of right thinking this week is independent economist Julian Jessop to answer the big questions: is our economy really on the up? And Claire gives an insight into what it’s really like to be a member of the House of Lords. 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 Claire: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/c/ck-co/claire-fox/ Read more from Julian: www.julianhjessop.com 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.

  • Apr 3, 2024 · 58 min

    Not a first class health service

    There’s a lot of madness orbiting the rocket this week as your co-pilots tackle the latest ghastly news from the NHS and author JK Rowling's reaction to the latest SNP legislation, not to mention the redesign of our Union Jack for the Olympics. Allison thinks we could be on the way to a ‘backdoor blasphemy’ law in light of Scotland's hate crime bill. Whilst Liam agrees and is disappointed with the Scottish media’s coverage of the law maker’s decision. Returning to the rocket for his second voyage this week is Tory peer, Dr Tony Sewell, who discusses his reaction to the most recent race report from Kemi Badenoch, as well as his latest book, Black Success: The Surprising Truth. 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 Sarah Knapton ‘Number of patients waiting four weeks to see GP soars all over England’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/04/02/patients-waiting-four-weeks-for-gp-appointment-soars-nhs/ | Read Allison ‘The new Team GB flag trashes everything that’s iconic about the Union Jack’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2024/04/03/the-team-gb-flag-rebrand-olympics/ | 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.

  • Mar 28, 2024 · 1 hr

    Tory MPs for hire

    New immigration figures will be causing another headache for Rishi Sunak and strapping into the cockpit this week is Former Minister for Immigration Robert Jenrick, who reveals the events in the lead up to his resignation and how the PM refused to acknowledge the issue of immigration. As the Tory meltdown continues with more MP’s putting themselves up for hire, could it all be over for the Country’s leading Party before the local elections in May? Allison is convinced the upcoming elections are less about swing voters and the Party needs to make ‘a Conservative plea for Conservative voters’. Whilst Liam is worried about post election and if Keir Starmer has the stamina to maintain his lead to start rolling out his policies successfully. And Velma makes a welcome return to the rocket with a brand new stat.. 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 | Read Allison: ‘Welcome to Starmer’s Britain, where class hatred will ruin our private schools’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2024/03/26/keir-starmer-labour-private-school-fee-plan-catastrophe/ | For 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Mar 21, 2024 · 56 min

    Four Prime Ministers, 1 Parliament

    With potential Conservative Party mutiny still bubbling away, there’s a rare moment of disagreement in the Planet Normal cockpit this week over a potential Tory leadership change Liam is convinced that a leadership will make an inevitable election loss much worse, whilst Allison is adamant that with a new ‘proper’ Tory party leader would persuade Conservative voters not to stay home. And co-pilot Pearson shares her outrage at the latest royal drama surrounding the Princess of Wales. All residents on the rocket are in agreement that the media should respect her privacy as she convalesces. Joining your co-pilots this week is SDP Mayor of London Candidate ‘socially right, economically left, Amy Gallagher who explains why she thinks Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby’s recent comments on politics make him sound more like an MP than a religious leader. And Bob the Bard makes a joyous return to the rocket’s mailbag… 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 Kemi Badenoch: Britain’s diversity drive has backfired: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/03/20/kemi-badenoch-britain-diversity-drive-backfired/ | Watch Amy Gallagher’s documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4v1cb04vB4 | 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.

  • Mar 14, 2024 · 54 min

    More political tremors

    There is no rest in the political news cycle this week, but are recent events enough to trigger a political earthquake or just another tremor? In light of Lee Anderson jumping ship from the Tory Party to Reform UK, Allison thinks the Conservatives won't hold onto a single Red Wall seat won in the 2019 election, and worries that everything in our country has a 'social justice agenda’. There’s also time to weigh in on the ongoing Covid Inquiry, which Liam thinks has become a ‘farce’ and wonders why it has disappeared from the news. Joining your co-pilots this week is filmmaker Martin Durkin, who straps in to chat to your co-pilots about some of the home truths revealed in his latest film 'CLIMATE THE MOVIE'. And Allison gives her take on Cillian Murphy’s eyes in wake of the latest Academy Awards. 'The Climate Movie' (A Cold Truth) is released on 21st March on Youtube and other platforms Allison Pearson is a board member of The Global Warming Policy Foundation, a think-tank that wants open debate on climate policy. 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:’Lee Anderson was right: We want our country back’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2024/03/12/i-know-why-britain-is-so-miserable-lost-minority-nonsense/ | 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.

  • Mar 7, 2024 · 53 min

    A Spring Budget haunted by the OBR

    The Chancellor has revealed his Budget but the rocket of right-thinking has spotted a shadowy figure on the horizon heading towards Mr Hunt - the Office for Budget Responsibility. Strapping into the rocket to help navigate the nuances is Helen Thomas from Blonde Money, a former advisor to then-Chancellor George Osborne. Helen thinks that the ghost of ignoring the OBR in the now infamous Autumn Budget of 2021 is haunting the current government, and making them over cautious. Liam thinks the OBR is at loggerheads with the Treasury as the Chancellor wanted to give a big cut to grab headlines but he had to compromise with a cheaper option. And Co-Pilot Pearson, aka Velma, also has some concerns about these spooky shenanigans - namely that the government has missed the mark by not addressing first time buyers and social mobility. Plus, as ever, we delve into the bulging PN mailbag. 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: 'Stop being scared of Islamophobia. Start worrying about Anglophobia' https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2024/03/05/the-government-new-extremism-laws-needs-engage-muslim-women/ 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.

  • Feb 29, 2024 · 38 min

    The Army up in arms over housing

    As co-pilot Pearson is away this week Liam is joined by special guest Telegraph Defence Editor Danielle Sheridan, to discuss the issue of the military housing plan that has barracks up and down the country up in arms, and how Allison and Danielle's reporting sparked a huge response from the Ministry of Defence. Danielle explains to Liam why military personnel are so fed up with their standard of accommodation and why she thinks this issue might be affecting military retention at a time when presenting a united military front to face ongoing conflict across Europe is so vital. And there’s also time for a quick glimpse into the bulging PN mailbag. 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 Danielle Sheridan: ‘Army housing plan that caused revolt among military wives paused for fear of losing ‘good people’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/02/27/military-wives-mod-housing-army-james-cartlidge/ | Read Allison’ Watch out MoD, you take away an Army wife’s home at your peril’ :https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/02/23/army-wives-lives-military-families-torn-up-new-conditions/ | 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.

  • Feb 22, 2024 · 58 min

    Don't Panic!

    This episode was recorded before the evening's events in the House of Commons. You can read more here on the Telegraph's live blog: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/02/21/rishi-sunak-latest-news-atkins-labour-snp-gaza/#comment It was a double by-election blow for the Conservative Party as Labour claimed victory in Wellingborough and Kingswood. In what is now a common occurence the third by election next week in Rochdale sees your co-pilots welcome standing candidate George Galloway onto the rocket to hear his fighting talk. He argues the Labour Party have brought ‘disgrace’ to the constituency and that his party is ‘ready to punish them’. He also puts forward his case for bringing Boris Johnson back as leader of the Conservatives… Liam thinks that despite the polls predictions, we might see a closer General Election result than people expect. And Allison, who has taken umbrage with Party Leader Penny Mordaunt’s politics in the past, still champions her as a better leader than the current PM. And your co-pilots salute the genius that was Dad’s Army and take a march down memory lane... 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.

  • Feb 15, 2024 · 1 hr 2 min

    Stick to the plan

    Give children brick phones, not smartphones, says this week's guest on the rocket of right thinking, Sophie Winkleman. The Peep Show star gives an insight into her plea to promote screen free learning for children and finds time to share a sprinkling of showbiz gossip on the rocket… Plus your co-pilots experience some déja-vu, as the Tories demonstrate another set of 'barely managed meltdowns.' But is the Prime Minister really ‘sticking to the plan?’ Liam gives his take on the latest stagnant inflation figures, but warns that if the PM doesn’t change his plan we could be headed for economic woe and a recession. And weighing into the latest drama from the Labour Party, Allison thinks the party might be being eaten by its own ‘diversity dragon', and has also found time to invent a new game: introducing ‘Rishi Bingo’. 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 Liam: "The issue that could decide the election - and it's not the economy"https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2024/02/11/immigration-not-economy-key-election-success/ | Read Allison: ‘Greedy universities don’t seem to care about white middle-class British kids’https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2024/02/14/britain-white-middle-class-teenagers-greedy-universities/\ Sophie Winkleman: "Screens in schools are harming our children" https://www.politicshome.com/thehouse/article/screens-schools-harming-children | 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.

  • Feb 8, 2024 · 1 hr 3 min

    The rise of Reform and 'Pop Con'

    As inflation drops, anger on the rocket rises, at the issue of illegal immigration and asylum seekers in light of the shocking chemical attack in London. Plus, where do your co-pilots stand on Liz Truss' ‘Pop Con’? Liam thinks that immigration could well overtake the economy as the number one issue for voters in the upcoming election and closely impending by-elections. Allison feels the rise in smaller groups such as Reform and the new ‘Pop Con’ is merely a reflection of mass frustration at the failing of the Conservative Party. Strapping into the cockpit this week is former Secretary of State for Scotland Lord Michael Forsyth, who presents his defence for the recent criticism of the House of Lords, as well as his grave take on the state of the current Conservative Party. And Allison is outraged that the home nation of her beloved cat, Didi, Turkey, has been deemed 'unsafe' by Home Office officials. 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: ‘When will we stop men from barbaric cultures acting out their evil ideologies on British soil?’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2024/02/06/chemical-attacks-barbaric-cultures-evil-acts-british-soil/ 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.

  • Feb 1, 2024 · 55 min

    The Business of Brexit

    This week your co-pilots are busy celebrating the anniversary of Brexit and the subsequent birth of Planet Normal. But aside from a hit podcast, what does the country really have to show from the referendum? Liam thinks that the people talking down the economy since the referendum often underestimate UK, and that our GDP growth is actually on par with other countries in the EU. Allison meanwhile is seething at another scandal afoot with British universities, which she believes is causing an ‘apartheid’ between UK and International students, by favouring the former. This week the rocket welcomes 'Amy' and 'James' onto the rocket to share their daughter's story. A classmate of their child joined the Church of England school as a girl, while being born a boy. 'Amy' and 'James' say the child’s sex was hidden from classmates, like their daughter, who were traumatised to learn the truth. 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: ‘Universities should want brilliant British minds, not dumbed-down foreign cash cows’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2024/01/30/top-british-universities-international-students-oxbridge/ Read Allison: 'Four-year-old boy allowed to join school as a girl is no Grimm fairytale but a real-life nightmare': https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/01/26/boy-four-join-school-a-girl-grimm-nightmare-mental-health/ 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.

  • Jan 25, 2024 · 1 hr 1 min

    Talk of a Tory regicide

    Just when the UK has finished surviving a battering from storm Isha Talk of Tory regicide is blowing its way in with storm Jocelyn. It’s safe to say your co-pilots are in for a turbulent week on the rocket. Allison is still in favour of Conservatism which she thinks a leadership change could help encourage, whilst Liam thinks that talk of a possible revolt be put to bed until after the general election, to ‘save the Country’s nervous system’. Will the upcoming by-elections in Wellingborough and Kingswood resolve this Tory leadership tussle? Strapping into the rocket this week to give his take on the state of Irish / English relations is musical legend Feargal Sharkey. He also shares his thoughts on environmental policies, a cause which he feels passionately about. And it’s the news we’ve all been waiting for as Allison’s furry friend makes her final descent to UK shores… 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: ‘You think this is cold? Try living through the winter of 1963’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2024/01/17/you-think-this-is-cold-weather-dream-on/| Read Allison: ‘Port Talbot has been sacrificed to the angry god of net zero’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/01/19/port-talbot-has-been-sacrificed-to-the-angry-god-of-net-zer/ | 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.