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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

59:07

Best bits 2022

Planet Normal ·

2022/12/22

It’s a ho ho ho from our co-pilots this week as they embark on a very special festive voyage, strapping in for one last orbit of 2022 to look back at a year of tumultuous news.Allison had to steel herself with a glass of mulled wine before looking back at the year that's been: Three Prime Ministers, a war in Europe, soaring cost of living, the Queens' death, and a series of strikes.Amid the chaos Liam still wants to spread the festivejoy, wishing a 'happy winter closure period' to all.But as well as

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57:24

Happy winter closure period

Planet Normal ·

2022/12/15

It’s less striking action, more strike-in-action this week as England crash out of the World Cup and industrial action rumbles on. But how many strikes can the Tories take until they are down and out?Strapping into the rocket of right thinking this week is Stanford professor Dr Jay Bhattacharya. He tells our co-pilots about his private meeting with Elon Musk and why he doesn't blame the new Twitter boss for his blacklisting over the Great Barrington Declaration.'Our co-pilots also weighed in on the

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56:41

The 12 days of strike-mas

Planet Normal ·

2022/12/08

Our co-pilots are doing their best to minimise the gloom threatening to eclipse the rocket this week, by bringing a little festive cheer.Allison and Liam deliver their verdict on the week’s blockbuster releases; the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's Netflix tell-all, and Matt Hancock’s new book the 'Pandemic Diaries'.Co-pilot Pearson is shocked that the former government minister has been allowed to ‘pre-empt’ the public enquiry in his new book and thinks he should have been under oath first.Whilst Liam

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58:56

Immigration wars

Planet Normal ·

2022/12/01

The winter of discontent appearsto be in full swing, with strikes, swelling inflation and power cuts threatening to dim the Christmas lights.This week our co-pilots are wading into the immigration debate, and strapping into the rocket to help them is the Chair of Migration Watch UK, Alp Mehmet. Alp shares his concerns at the impacts increased levels of immigration are having on our country, particularly the strain on services and infrastructure like the NHS and housing.Allison thinks that the

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58:06

Are the Tories falling apart?

Planet Normal ·

2022/11/24

December is fast approaching but the mood is far from festive on the rocket, with strikes, spiralling living costs and World Cup wokery afoot - can it still come home?As a growing number of Conservative MPs announce plans to step down at the next election, our co-pilots mull over whether it might be time for a change in high office.Allison believes theTories have given up on business and growth, and they're only surviving day to day. Co-pilot Pearson is also concerned theGovernment hasn't truly

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59:27

Autumn statement stealth tactics

Planet Normal ·

2022/11/17

Tax is the word on our co-pilot’s lips this week as Chancellor Jeremy Hunt unveils the Autumn Statement. But with some bold moves expected, could there be Tory mutiny on the horizon?Liam is frustrated at the cynical use of ‘stealth taxes,’ which he worries might drive the economy into deeper recession and break already delicate bonds of trust between the public and the state.Allison thinks the Chancellor has made ‘cowardly decisions' in order to satisfy the left-wing media and opposition, and that

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57:46

Not a lot of Cop (27)

Planet Normal ·

2022/11/10

It’s Cop27 week, and as the world leaders jet in, our co-pilots digest the highsand lows from what is better known on the rocket as ‘the inverted pyramid of piffle'.The hypocrisies of the event certainly weren’t lost on either co-pilots. Liam thinks the PM should have set a better example, attending the event remotely on Zoom rather than attending by plane, whilst Allison is concerned that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s policies are unobtainable and more of a ‘green fairytale’.Also beaming into the

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59:24

A post-Halloween witch hunt

Planet Normal ·

2022/11/03

Halloween might be over but the witch hunt has only just begun, as the Home Secretary Suella Braverman is under fire over the ongoing migrant crisis haunting the UK.Allison is appalled at the treatment of the Home Secretary,who she feels has been subject to‘political parlour games’.Whilst Liam thinks that with the right support from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the Home Secretary could push past some difficult decisions that might ultimately, be best for the country.Also hopping aboard the rocket

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58:26

Can Sunak stop the perma-crisis?

Planet Normal ·

2022/10/26

Another week on the rocket, and another Prime Minister on Planet Earth. But what does the future hold for ‘dishy Rishi’ as he moves into No10? Our co-pilots have their crystal ball out.Both our co-pilots think the new PM made a strong debut at his first PMQ’s. But Allison wonders how the new PM will fare when faced with conquering the red wall.Liam is also concerned that the Tories could be giving Labour an ‘open goal’ with such an economically flush PMand Chancellor at the helm in the midst of a

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1:41:54

Lord Frost and Lionel Shriver on Braverman, budgets...

Planet Normal ·

2022/10/20

The beloved rocket gains a few extra passengers this week as our second Planet Normal live event is broadcast from the IET in London.Allison has been gone for a mere two weeks and the country has descended into what she calls a ‘post apocalyptic mad max wasteland’. Can things come back from the brink or will co-pilot Halligan have to step in as the next Chancellor? Anything could happen!In the wake of Suella Braverman’s departure as Home Secretary, our co-pilots reflect on the circumstances

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47:40

Caught in the doom loop

Planet Normal ·

2022/10/12

Another week, another dose of economic woe to digest on the rocket. Honorary Planet Normal citizen Nick Timothy is back to give his take on what the Labour Party have dubbed ‘the crisis made in Downing Street’.Nick thinks the Government rushed into their budget, and that theTruss camp have been slow to switch gears from campaigning to governing. Liam thinks the Chancellor and PM might be stuck in a 'doom loop,' in part thanks to the political tactlessness of their mini-Budget.Also strapping into the

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51:51

Tory Party Psychodrama

Planet Normal ·

2022/10/05

The lights have come down on another Conservative Party conference, but it hasn't been without its political psychodrama.Co-pilot Halligan beams in from the heart of the action in Birmingham, and joining him in the cockpit whilst co-pilot Pearson takes a well-earned rest is columnist and former Chief of Staff to Theresa May, Nick Timothy.Underwhelmed by the turnout and the mood at conference, Nick thinks the party may have underestimated the consequences of the recent 'botched budget'. But Liam saw

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57:37

Mini-budget, big problem

Planet Normal ·

2022/09/28

Strap in foran economic rollercoaster on the rocket thisweek. Fresh from his perch outside the Bank of England, co-pilot Halligan is here to break down why the mini budget has caused such big waves.Liam thinks that the markets have overreacted, but the decision to cut the top rate of tax during a cost of living crisis was ‘venal’ and 'indulgent.' Allison agrees the move was anact of 'dumbfounding stupidity' so close to the Labour Party conference. She's frustrated that the new PM has been 'hiding

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1:00:01

End of an Era

Planet Normal ·

2022/09/21

After a momentous period in which we lost our beloved Queen, the co-pilots are back to reflect on the historic turn of events.Allison was moved by scenes of peoplequeueing to view the late Queen's lying-in-state, and shares her thoughtson the seismic sense of change the country is experiencing. Liam reveals the surprising warmth towards Her Majesty that he witnessed in Ireland, of all places, after the news of her death.But the tsunami of news rolls on with a major announcement on energy and a mini

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56:20

Trussonomics

Planet Normal ·

2022/09/07

It’s the dawn of a new era on the rocket as Liz Truss takes the throne as Prime Minister. But do our co-pilots think she's got what it takes?Co-pilot Halligan predicts Truss will grow into the role, but warns she will have to be a 'shape-shifter' in order to tackle the toughest in-tray of any peace-time PM.Allison wasn't blown away by Truss' debut speech, comparing her performance to that of a nervous head girl, but thought her first showing at PMQs was a vast improvement.Both our co-pilots agree

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59:52

Lights out for Boris

Planet Normal ·

2022/08/31

The curtain is finally falling on the Tory leadership contest. The spectacle might be nearly over - to the relief of our co-pilots - but the madness is just beginning for Boris' successor.As we bid farewell to the Johnson premiership, co-pilot Pearson is adamant we need more of a ‘realist’ at the helm.She warns the incoming PM must put dealing with the cost of living crisis ahead of the green agenda.Co-pilot Halligan agrees the push towards net zero must not come at the expense of ordinary people

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57:37

Anyone seen the Government?

Planet Normal ·

2022/08/24

Levels of discontent havereached newhighs on the rocket this week, with crisis brewing in the NHS and the economy.Co-pilot Halligan is frustrated that the Government remains 'leaderless, rudderless and hopeless' at such a criticaltime. While Allison is concerned the country could descend into 'third world Britain.'Plus, our co-pilots deliver their verdict on Rishi Sunak’s revelatory interview inThe Spectator, voicing his concerns about the Covid-19 lockdown.Liam is miffed the former chancellor is

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56:00

Cost of lockdown crisis

Planet Normal ·

2022/08/17

It’s A-level results day, and it’s not just the grades that are up for scrutiny on the rocket this week.Both our co-pilots lament the cost of lockdown on this year’s A-level recipients, with Allison also taking aim at social engineering schemes that are replacing traditional entry requirements into UK universities.Climbing aboard the capsule of common sense for his second voyage is Conservative Mayor of Teesside, Ben Houchen. He warns the Tories will face backlash for ousting Boris Johnson

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59:25

An entirely captainless ship

Planet Normal ·

2022/08/10

With temperatures soaring and the energy crisis escalating, our co-pilotshave run out of patience with the lack of political leadership.Allison is 'fuming' that the focus on netzero has led to a 'grotesque' failure of energy security, and warns we are on-board a ‘captainless ship’ at the mercy of the elements and heading towards an iceberg as winter approaches.Co-pilot Halligan takes aim at the 'indulgent' Tory leadership 'psychodrama', and argues the countryurgently needs politicians to get on with

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1:00:05

End of the road for Rishi?

Planet Normal ·

2022/08/04

The political psychodrama rumbles on, but both our co-pilots think it's time for a curtain call on the leadership showdown.So will Rishi Sunak throw the towel in?Co-pilot Halligan climbs aboard the rocket from his holiday to deliver some hard truths, warning the former chancellor to ‘bow out’ if he wants to save his future in politics. Liam argues the political class needs to turn its focus to the energy emergency, rather than infighting.Fresh from declaring her allegiance to Liz Truss, co-pilot

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