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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

1:30:15

Christmas Special 2024 P2

Planet Normal ·

2025/01/02

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 2024.There’s been no shortage of madness on the rocket over the past few months, the peak of which was definitely when co-pilot Pearson spearheaded a free speech campaign in wake of a shocking visit to her home on the morning of Remembrance Sunday by Essex police.There’s also been an abundance of politicians that have graced

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45:12

Christmas Special 2024 P1

Planet Normal ·

2024/12/26

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 2024.There’s been no shortage of madness on the rocket over the past few months, the peak of which was definitely when co-pilot Pearson spearheaded a free speech campaign in wake of a shocking visit to her home on the morning of Remembrance Sunday by Essex police.There’s also been an abundance of politicians that have graced

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1:24:21

No brainer with ‘Angela Raynor’

Planet Normal ·

2024/12/19

Christmas is coming but the madness on the rocket of right thinking shows no signs of slowing down. It’s time to strap in for the last voyage of 2024.In light of the latest inflation figures Liam gives his review of Labour's economic strategy which he feels has ‘talked down’ the economy.And co-pilot Pearson delivers some strong opinions on the latest approach to governing non crime hate incidents in this country.On this very special festive addition of Planet Normal the rocket is joined by none

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1:05:01

Cultural Sensitivities Can Cost Lives

Planet Normal ·

2024/12/12

A sombre journey to Planet Normal today, as Allison and Liam learn that the father of Sara Sharif has been found guilty of the 10-year-old’s murder just before recording. Co-pilot Pearson decries that a little girl could have been a victim to such violence in modern Britain, and what it says about integration in our country.Plus they discuss the events of Syria, and co-pilot Halligan notes that the 'tectonic plates of Western politics is shifting' as mainstream European politicians use events as a

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1:12:00

Labour Cleared For Re-Launch

Planet Normal ·

2024/12/05

As Prime Minister Keir Starmer celebrates a turbulent 5 months in office by eventually turning on the Downing Street Christmas lights, co-Pilot Pearson celebrates reaching new records in her weight-loss journey. But elsewhere there is less reason to be joyous with the oncoming news woes.Both your co-pilots question the need for the PM to ‘re-launch’ his government, whilst the rocket’s resident economist Halligan delivers some stark truths about the growth of the UK economy.Strapping into the rocket

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1:16:35

Fixing the foundations

Planet Normal ·

2024/11/28

The campaign for free speech on the rocket has been a runaway success with no signs of slowing down.This week your co-pilots tackle a bulging mail bag with a Planet Normal Email special reading out some of your reactions to Allison’s victory for free speech.They also deliver their verdict on Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s latest economic moves and the Labour party's most recent promises to ‘fix the foundations’.Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Read more from Liam

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1:12:06

A helluva week on the rocket

Planet Normal ·

2024/11/21

It’s been one helluva week on the rocket for co-pilot Pearson, as she describes the ‘news tsunami’ that has crashed through her life.Your co-pilots talk through the reaction to Allison’s story and discuss the principle of free speech in this country.Also boarding the rocket to discuss his new book, ‘What went Wrong with Capitalism’, is author Dr Ruchir Sharma who lays out his solution to the relationship between state support and free markets.And there is no shortage of post this week as your

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1:16:37

You have the freedom to be silenced

Planet Normal ·

2024/11/13

In wake of co-pilot Pearson’s shock visit from the police on Remembrance Sunday, the rocket reflects on the principle of free speech in our country. Allison explains what happens when the journalist becomes the story…Elsewhere Liam gives his take on why the Harris campaign failed to reach many voters in the US election after his trip across the pond last week.Also Joining your co-pilots on the rocket this week to discuss her arrest following a tweet about the Southport killings, is Bernadette

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56:42

US Election 2024

Planet Normal ·

2024/11/07

Co-pilot Pearson is off on a special mission this week so Liam is joined in the cockpit by resident part time co-pilot, Tim Stanley.As the news breaks of Donald Trump’s victory in the US Liam and Tim dissect the news tsunami from across the pond.As the rest of the world comes to terms with what just happened, Tim describes why we shouldn’t be that surprised at the result, and Liam gives his economic prognosis.Whilst back on UK soil, the Tory party welcomes a new leader but what do your co-pilots

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1:00:46

Labour’s big budget

Planet Normal ·

2024/10/31

As Labour unveils their first budget in 14 years, the rocket beams in for a bumper Budget special with not one but two stowaways! But what do the rocket’s incumbents make of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s first big fiscal challenge.Former Prime Minister Liz Truss explains why she thinks Chancellor Rachel Reeves might have ‘turbo charged taxes’ and could be about to ‘crash the car into the wall’.Chief Economist at Net Wealth and former Chief Economic Advisor to Boris, Johnson Dr Gerard Lyons, outlines

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1:22:05

Planet Normal Live Special at the Battle of Ideas

Planet Normal ·

2024/10/23

This episode was recorded live at the Battle of Ideas Festival in London on 20th October 2024In this very special episode of Planet Normal, the rocket beams in live from the Battle of Ideas Festival featuring not one, but two very special stowaways..Sociologist and social commentator, Professor Frank Furedi shares his thoughts on how we can tackle what he calls the ‘madness’ of political correctness.Writer and comedian, Andrew Doyle also explains why we need to prioritise the value of free speech in

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57:06

Rachel and the blackhole

Planet Normal ·

2024/10/16

The countdown to Labour's first Budget is on, but what do your co-pilots make of the new Chancellor's plans? Brace yourselves it's another news Tsunami…Liam isn’t convinced Labour’s plan for growth will strengthen up the public finances and believes a more prudent approach to spending is needed.Allison agrees and is concerned if they increase National Insurance on employers it will lead to less investment and fewer jobs.Joining your co-pilots for this week’s voyage is former Downing Street advisor

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1:01:07

The two Tory horse race

Planet Normal ·

2024/10/09

Fresh from a shock elimination in the Tory leadership race, your co-pilots deliver their verdict on the latest results from the now two horse race. And did co-pilot Pearson really influence the result?One year on from the shocking 7th October attack in Israel, the rocket reflects on Allison’s recent dispatch to Israel and welcomes Brendan O’Neill into the cockpit. Brendan’s new book ‘After the Pogrom: 7 October, Israel and the Crisis of Civilisation’ describes how he believes the West failed in

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1:07:59

Robert Jenrick on his Tory leadership bid

Planet Normal ·

2024/10/02

The rocket beams in live from the Tory Party Conference in Birmingham this week and there’s no shortage of melodrama to dissect as the Party gears up to elect its new leader.Fastening their seat belt alongside your co-pilots this week is leadership contender and previous stowaway, Robert Jenrick MP for Newark,who shares his hopes for the party should he win the contest.Liam gives the rocket the inside scoop from the conference as the race for Leader of the Opposition aka the conservative ‘beauty

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1:03:08

Conference season chaos

Planet Normal ·

2024/09/25

**Some of Alison's reporting contains descriptions you may find distressingWith Conference season in full swing, what do your co-pilots make of the PM’s latest speech slip up at the Party’s Conference?Liam thinks Starmer’s speech failed to set the room alight as much as previous Labour PM Tony Blair would have done.And Allison shares some moving observations from her recent trip to Israel.Also strapping into the cockpit this week is Chairman of Reform UK, Zia Yusuf, who explains the Party’s plans to

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1:16:50

Tom Tugendhat on his bid for Tory leadership

Planet Normal ·

2024/09/18

Strapping into the rocket of right thinking this week for a Planet Normal exclusive is Tory leadership hopeful Tom Tugendhat who shares the reasons why he thinks he can carry the party back to power in five years, and why he wants to get the selection process completed as soon as possible to lead an effective opposition.Whilst co-pilot Pearson is doing some on the ground reporting in Israel, temporary co-pilot Nick Timothy steps into the cockpit.On the agenda Nick ponders whether Health Secretary

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1:04:54

Winter fuel woes

Planet Normal ·

2024/09/11

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

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56:49

It’s a (Tory leadership) knockout!

Planet Normal ·

2024/09/04

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 positionand elect a stronger more right leaning leader.Safely strapped in the rocket this week, to bring expert insight into the

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59:53

Is he two tier Keir?

Planet Normal ·

2024/08/28

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

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1:05:19

The rocket returns

Planet Normal ·

2024/08/21

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

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