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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

39:04

Best Voyages from the Rocket 2024 P3

Planet Normal ·

2024/08/14

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

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37:04

Best Voyages from the Rocket 2024 P2

Planet Normal ·

2024/08/07

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

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51:53

Kemi Badenoch on her Conservative Party leadership bid

Planet Normal ·

2024/08/02

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

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57:45

Best Voyages from the Rocket 2024 P1

Planet Normal ·

2024/07/31

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

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59:45

Silly Season Kicks Off

Planet Normal ·

2024/07/24

The rocket blasts off for a final voyage before its summer break but there’s no shortage of madness to navigate before then.What did your co-pilots make of Keir Starmer’s first outing at Prime Minister’s Questions? Not to mention the political developments from across the pond..Allison isn’t impressed with the front runners in the Conservative party leadership contest. Nor the Labour party’s two child benefit cap which Liam believes the implications of which could potentially hamper growth.Strapping

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57:01

The King’s (Labour) Speech

Planet Normal ·

2024/07/17

Joining Liam in the cockpit this week for a very special extended interview is Professor Matthew Goodwin.As the rocket blasts into a new political era with a Labour government at the helm, Matthew explains why he thinks Keir Starmer’s party could be unpopular very quickly, and debates with Liam how the Conservative Party could pull back a vital share of voters that they lost to Reform UK.Our popular analyst also gives his take on the political antics happening across the pond, and why he thinks

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1:03:21

Labour and their Starmtroopers

Planet Normal ·

2024/07/10

After a Labour landslide win (as predicted by your co-pilots) the rocket orbits into a new political galaxy, but is it the same old madness?Allison delivers some hard truths to the Conservative party whom she thinks deserve ‘oblivion’ should they fail to come to the ‘correct conclusion’ on their new leader.Whereas Liam thinks the Tories need to take their time when deciding their next leader and think carefully about the rules of the contest.Joining your co-pilots on the rocket this week is former

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46:51

To the Polls!

Planet Normal ·

2024/07/03

This episode of Planet Normal was recorded on Wednesday the 3rd July before the polls opened for the general election.Six weeks of election campaigning have come to an end and what a campaign it has been, with no shortage of political gaffes on either side of the Channel as the first round of voting in France has National Rally, formerly headed by Marine LePen, on the cusp of power and Macron’s gamble backfiring.Meanwhile across the pond the co-pilots give their thoughts on the debate between

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58:46

Heat Wave of Politics

Planet Normal ·

2024/06/26

The temperature is heating up on the rocket this week, as the whole country basks in a heatwave but is the election shade being thrown threatening to spoil your co-pilots fun in the sun?Allison spills the beans on her trip to the campaign trail with Reform UK Leader, Nigel Farage and claims that, in her view, a vote for the party isn’t a wasted one.Whilst Liam is worried about the potential judiciary changes an incoming Labour government might make and the effect they could have on our

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57:41

The Anti-incumbency trend

Planet Normal ·

2024/06/19

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

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1:33:14

Co-pilots barrage Nigel Farage

Planet Normal ·

2024/06/12

In this very special episode of Planet Normal, your co-pilots strap into the rocket with Leader of Reform UK, Nigel Farage. In a true rocket grilling Nigel reveals if the Party is actually racist, how many votes he expects to win at the upcoming election, and if he really would stand down candidates in Tory marginal seats.Also on this episode with Labour heading for a big majority, what do your co-pilots make of the party manifestos hitting the headlines this week?Liam thinks the Tory manifesto is

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1:00:01

Debating the debate

Planet Normal ·

2024/06/05

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.Political fur is flying in wake of the first election television debate,but who do Claire and Liam think came out on top?Claire thinks that the competing parties are underestimating theneeds of the electorate in their mandate material. Whilst Liam thinks the parties aren’t doing enough to convince the public of their long term economic security, post

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1:38:07

The 200th voyage on the rocket

Planet Normal ·

2024/05/29

This special anniversary episode was recorded live in front of an audience of Planet Normal citizens, from Cadogan Hall in London.The beloved rocket gains a few extra passengers this week as our third Planet Normal live event takes off!Your co-pilots give their thoughts on the upcoming election alongside some very special guests.The first revered stowaway on the rocket this week is Lord David Frost, who reveals how he tried to save the Conservative Party from themselves.Also strapping in for

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59:30

A cacophony of woe

Planet Normal ·

2024/05/22

**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 bloodand 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

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1:04:57

How long before Kevin Spacey is allowed to be...

Planet Normal ·

2024/05/15

In an exclusive interview with co-pilot Pearson, Academy Award winning actor Kevin Spacey straps into the rocket to give his response to the recent Channel 4 documentary with allegations about inappropriate sexual conduct.Elsewhere Rishi Sunak’s political plight is as unpredictable as the British weather. But what do your co-pilots make of his latest stream of policies?Allison ponders whether the country has ever gone into a general election with two such unpopular potential leaders which she claims

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55:47

A Tory hammering

Planet Normal ·

2024/05/08

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

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53:27

Wormholes of Woke

Planet Normal ·

2024/05/01

Election fever has reached the rocket this week as the co-pilotsawait the results from local polling stations up and down the country.And there’snothing 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

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58:55

A protest too far

Planet Normal ·

2024/04/24

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

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54:52

The Battle of Brussels

Planet Normal ·

2024/04/17

The Battle of BrusselsWith 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

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59:54

The case of the Cass Report

Planet Normal ·

2024/04/10

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’sbalancedreaction.Liam ponders whether Reform UK could reinvigorate the debate about proportional representation, should they win enough seats in the upcominglocal andgeneral elections, whilst Claire thinks the

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