Planet Normal – Details, episodes & analysis

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 incoming government and why social media is not to blame for the recent riots in the UK.

And there’s a triumphant return from Velma.

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/ |

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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 Secretary, Wes Streeting, has the potential to pull off the reform the National Health Service needs to get back on track.

Stowing away on the rocket this week is author and Conservative Peer, Jon Moynihan who expresses his concern at Labour’s economic policies, saying they won’t create growth by ‘just cutting wages’.

And there is a delve into the fumbling Planet Normal mailbag which is overflowing from the recent Summer break…

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 Jon: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2024/08/18/uk-economy-growth-social-democracy-bankrupt-conservative/ |

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 |

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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 democracy.

Joining your co-pilots for a return mission on the rocket is journalist Peter Hitchens who gives his take on the political landscape in the week before the big election.

And co-pilot Pearson weighs in with her weekly update from the Euros football tournament…

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: ‘Reform puts British people first – how is that a wasted vote?’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2024/06/25/reform-britain-wasted-vote/ |

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 |

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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 Truss should ditch her notes and stick to speaking off the cuff in future.

Also entering the sanctuary of sweet reason this week is journalist and General Secretary of the Free Speech Union, Toby Young, who shares his disappointment at the fall of the Johnson premiership and his thoughts on the new Truss cabinet. Plus, Toby opens up about what it's like to be ‘cancelled’.

And finally, the debate over co-pilot Pearson’s ‘hello’ rages on…

Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/a/ak-ao/allison-pearson/ |

Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |

Book tickets for An afternoon with Allison Pearson: https://extra.telegraph.co.uk/events/live-idk-event |

Listen to Chopper’s Politics: https://www.playpodca.st/chopper |

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 |

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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. He's especially concerned about how businesses will cope this winter without any price cap on their energy bills.

Also climbing aboard the rocket this week is co-founder of FairFuel UK, Howard Cox, who tells our co-pilots what the Government should be doing to reduce fuel prices as people struggle to fill up their cars.

And co-pilot Pearson has an exciting event to announce....

Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/a/ak-ao/allison-pearson/ |

Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |

Book tickets for An afternoon with Allison Pearson: https://extra.telegraph.co.uk/events/live-idk-event |

Listen to Chopper’s Politics: https://www.playpodca.st/chopper |

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 |

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Levels of discontent have reached new highs 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 critical time. 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 in The Spectator, voicing his concerns about the Covid-19 lockdown. Liam is miffed the former chancellor is only speaking up now, but co-pilot Pearson is relieved that people who questioned lockdown have been vindicated. 

Also joining our co-pilots is oncologist Professor Pat Price, who says we are in the midst of the worst cancer crisis ever seen in the UK. Professor Price warns the backlog could cost thousands of lives, but politicians are failing to recognise the magnitude of the disaster.

And co-pilot Pearson shares her latest bathing habits in light of the cost of living crisis...

Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/a/ak-ao/allison-pearson/ |

Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |

Listen to Chopper’s Politics: https://www.playpodca.st/chopper |

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 |

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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 regardless of who wins the leadership contest, but is hopeful that delivering on levelling up could save the party at the next election.

Liam is concerned rising inflation will get much worse before it gets better, and suggests the UK economy is now feeling the effects of lockdowns as well as the conflict in Ukraine.

While co-pilot Pearson declares an unlikely allegiance to Sir Keir Starmer this week, over his plan to freeze the energy price cap. 

And the rocket crowns another ‘numpty of the week’.

Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/a/ak-ao/allison-pearson/ |

Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |

Listen to Call Bethel: podfollow.com/call-bethel 

Need help subscribing or reviewing? Learn more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |

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For 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal |

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With temperatures soaring and the energy crisis escalating, our co-pilots have run out of patience with the lack of political leadership.

Allison is 'fuming' that the focus on net zero 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 country urgently needs politicians to get on with the business of governing, as the economic rubber hits the road.

Also strapping in to the capsule of common sense this week is barrister and trainee psychotherapist James Esses, who was ejected from his university course for raising the alarm about transgender ideology being pushed onto young people.

And co-pilot Pearson's alter ego ‘Velma’ makes a welcome return to the rocket. 

Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/a/ak-ao/allison-pearson/ |

Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |

Listen to the Planet Normal with Sharon Davies: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/02/18/human-rights-females-trampled-olympic-swimmer-sharron-davies/ |

Listen to the Planet Normal with Helen Pluckrose:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/10/12/week-planet-normal-declaration-covid-lockdown-rights-society/ |

Support James Esses: https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/expelled-university-free-speech/ |

Listen to Call Bethel: podfollow.com/call-bethel 

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 |

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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 Pearson agrees that Rishi Sunak should step aside. She believes he is out of touch with the struggles most people face amidst the escalating cost of living crisis.

Also hopping aboard the capsule of common sense is Michael Jacobs, economist and former adviser to Gordon Brown. He tells our co-pilots the policies being put forward by the Tory leadership candidates are fiscally irresponsible, and suggests the Labour Party now appears to be more economically credible. 

And our co-pilots share their favourite moments from the roaring Lionesses' triumphant Euros victory.

Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/a/ak-ao/allison-pearson/ |

Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |

Listen to the Planet Normal with Gordon Wishart: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2021/12/09/planet-normal-nations-social-contract-government-has-broken/ |

Listen to Call Bethel: podfollow.com/call-bethel 

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 |

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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It's full-contact battle as Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak face off to become the next Prime Minister. 

So who better to join our co-pilots on the rocket of right thinking than Dame Andrea Leadsom, campaign manager for former front runner Penny Mordaunt, and a one-time Tory leadership contender herself. Dame Andrea takes aim at political 'black ops' and says it's painful to see candidates publicly 'taking lumps out of each other.'

Co-pilot Pearson predicts that Liz Truss will be the one to cinch victory. But Allison is concerned about the effect that a Truss premiership could have on maintaining the red wall.

Liam agrees that Sunak might lose out to Truss, arguing that his lack of political experience is coming to the fore and suggesting the former Chancellor shouldn't have run for leader at such an early point in his career.

And our listeners have their say on who they think should be the future leader of the country…

Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/a/ak-ao/allison-pearson/ |

Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |

Read Andrea Leadsom's ‘Snakes and Ladders’: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Snakes-and-Ladders/dp/178590700X |

Listen to Chopper’s Politics: Listen to Chopper's Politics: https://www.playpodca.st/chopper |

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 |

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.