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PODCAST

Planet Normal

The podcast that speaks your language. News and views from beyond the bubble with Telegraph columnists, Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan, every Thursday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

society & culture news commentary

All Episodes

53:58

A Spring Budget haunted by the OBR

Planet Normal ·

2024/03/07

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

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38:06

The Army up in arms over housing

Planet Normal ·

2024/02/29

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, andhow Allison and Danielle's reportingsparked 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 whenpresenting a

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58:23

Don't Panic!

Planet Normal ·

2024/02/22

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/#commentIt 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

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1:02:03

Stick to the plan

Planet Normal ·

2024/02/15

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

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1:03:33

The rise of Reform and 'Pop Con'

Planet Normal ·

2024/02/08

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

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55:06

The Business of Brexit

Planet Normal ·

2024/02/01

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

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1:01:30

Talk of a Tory regicide

Planet Normal ·

2024/01/25

Just when the UK has finished surviving a battering from storm Isha Talk ofTory regicide is blowing its way in with storm Jocelyn. It’s safeto sayyour 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

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1:14:06

Exclusive Interview with Fujitsu insider

Planet Normal ·

2024/01/17

This episode was recorded before The Rwanda Bill cleared the Commons Strapping into the rocket alongside your co-pilots this week is former Fujitsu employee ‘Robin’ who gives an exclusive inside take on what really went on to cause such a huge miscarriage of justice.Plus, it’s official: the Conservative party has gone full ‘Tonto’ but is Britain's once most reliable party really heading for a breakup?Allison thinks the country is crying out for a more right-wing Conservative Party, and that Reform

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56:09

New Year, Old Scandals

Planet Normal ·

2024/01/11

It’s business as usual this week as the rocket launches back into action after its Christmas hiatus.And your co-pilots are not short of opinions on the latest scandal.The political and media class are finally waking up to the Post Office Scandal, drawn attention to by the airing of a recent ITV drama and your co-pilots are naturally incensed at the rife injustice of the situation.Allison questions if this could be the UK’s Watergate moment whilst Liam thinks that it's worse because this scandal

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37:22

Best voyages from the festive Rocket 2023: Part 2

Planet Normal ·

2024/01/04

In this the second of a two part series, co-pilots Pearson and Halligan dig into the data files for some of their most explosive voyages on the rocket of right thinking, from 2023.The rocket featured many unique interviews from stowaways from many different worldly professions. In September the rocket also had a visit from former PM Liz Truss who stopped by to tell our co-pilotswhy current PM Rishi Sunak needs to ditch the 2030 Net Zero target in favour of more traditional conservative policies,

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34:21

Best voyages from the festive Rocket 2023: Part 1

Planet Normal ·

2023/12/28

In this the first of a two part series, co-pilots Pearson and Halligan dig into the data files for some of their most explosive voyages on the rocket of right thinking, from 2023.The rocket featured many guest appearances from big names in politics including previous Home Secretary, Priti Patel, live from the Conservative party Conference in October. She shared her thoughts on the ‘woke blob’ running Whitehall, and her hopes for a Tory victory in 2024.Throughout 2023 your co-pilots have prided

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54:54

Jingle Bell Rocket

Planet Normal ·

2023/12/21

The bells are ringing, the Christmasspirit has well and truly hit the rocket. Joining your co-pilots in looking back at the highs and lows of 2023 as well as giving their predictions for 2024 is Telegraph columnists Con Coughlin and Tim Stanley. Was 2023 the year of immigration? Is the Tory party as we know it finished? And what’s on the cards for European politics and elsewhere across the world next year? Only this rocket has the answers.Co-pilot Pearson has her gongs at the ready but who will be

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59:20

When Tory Tribes Go To War

Planet Normal ·

2023/12/14

The Tory tribes are at war over the Rwanda Bill, but who will emerge victorious?One thing is for sure, these party politics aren’t very festive at all…Co-pilot Pearson has polished her crystal ball and is ready to predict which way the party is going to swing in the immigration debate. She thinks there is a huge gulf between the ruling class and the rest of the Country which could allow opportunity for the smaller new parties to thrive.Whilst Liam questions the Country’s movement to the Centre Left

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58:13

Ineptitude masking as progress

Planet Normal ·

2023/12/07

This episode was recorded before the resignation of Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick.The lettuce has returned, could PM Rishi Sunak be heading for a similar demise as his predecessor Liz Truss? And would the Conservative party be mad enough to change leader AGAIN before the next general election? Both your co-pilots place their bets.Meanwhile the Tory Cabinet has snapped into action to reduce the immigration figures following last week’s shock figures. Allison thinks it could be a little too late

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1:01:27

Busy getting on with ‘just delivering’

Planet Normal ·

2023/11/30

It's been a calamitous week for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, at least that’s what our co-pilots think with the latest immigration figures hitting a record high. So is he really ‘busy delivering’ as he claims?In light of the shocking riots happening in Ireland, Liam weighs in on the rising concerns about immigration now coming to the forefront in his homeland. He feels the views of the people are not being reflected fairly in the UK media.Whilst Allison’s frustration at the ongoing covid enquiry grows

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54:17

Autumn Statement Special

Planet Normal ·

2023/11/22

It’s budget week on the rocket and the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has some sizeable tax cuts to pull out of his fiscal stocking. But what do your co-pilots make of the Country’s pre-christmas giveaway?Joining us to navigate this autumn budget is associate editor for the Telegraph Ben Wright, who gives his take on the Chancellor’s statement.Liam thinks the Conservatives have buckled under pressure from the right of the party with sizable tax cuts, and questions where the fundingfor these cuts is coming

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59:55

A controversial Cabinet reshuffle

Planet Normal ·

2023/11/16

It’s been a busy week at No10 withSuella being shown the door and the surprise recycling of David Cameron returning as Foreign Secretary. Could this be the most controversial of all recent cabinet reshuffles to date?Both co-pilots question Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s decision, wondering whether he has abandoned the faithful Red Wall in favour of appealing to the swing voters and picking up some of the Lib Dems fans.Liam thinks the PM has made a grave error in surrounding himself with politicians

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51:28

The Power and Pain of the Protest

Planet Normal ·

2023/11/09

To protest or not to protest? The question on everyone's mind this week as the conflicts between Remembrance weekend commemorations and pro- Palestine marches reach a heated conclusion. Your co-pilotsweigh in on the power and the pain of both arguments.Liam and Allison are both opposed to the protest going ahead on Saturday with Liam questioning whether the law is being ‘circumvented’. Whilst Allison thinks we could be reaching a tipping point between sensitivity towards different groups and a full

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1:00:49

The Inquiry

Planet Normal ·

2023/11/02

With the Covid Inquiry reaching boiling point, your co-pilots dissect the political finger pointing and blame shifting amongst the witnesses.Allison is feeling infuriated and disgusted at the events unfolding, whilst Liam feels it’s simply 'political theatre' and a show trial for people that dislike former PM Boris Johnson.In light of said inquiry, strapping into the rocket this week is Professor of Epidemiology at Oxford University, Carl Heneghan who reveals how he felt ‘ambushed’and subject to a

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1:01:31

365 days on Planet Rishi

Planet Normal ·

2023/10/25

It's a whole year since Rishi Sunak took the reinsat No10 but has it been more annus horribilisor steady as she goes for Planet Sunak's Premiership?In light of the historic by-election in Tamworth and Mid Bedfordshire, Allison thinks the government have abandoned Conservative voters, and that the Reform party could be poised to steal those disillusioned.Whereas Liam questions whether the outcome will be the same at the next General Election and voters will continue to stay at home when the stakes

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