Planet Normal

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.

  1. Spring Statement Special

    2 DAYS AGO

    Spring Statement Special

    As Chancellor Rachel Reeves unveils her first ‘Spring Statement’ your co-pilots are joined on the rocket by not one but TWO very special incumbents. Calculators and spreadsheets at the ready… Co-pilot Pearson is less than impressed with what she calls the ‘nothing to do with me guv', Budget. Stowaway economist Roger Bootle was both ‘depressed’ and 'amazed’ by the Statement but reveals an overwhelming feeling that the Labour Party aren’t actually doing anything all that bad… And after watching the Budget co-pilot Halligan is concerned the Labour front bench is lacking in business and economic knowledge.  Also on the podcast, Mike Calvey straps in for a very special interview to discuss his new book ‘Odyssey Moscow’ which details his harrowing ordeal as a prisoner of the Russian State. And co-pilot Pearson has won an award… 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 Roger: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/r/rk-ro/roger-bootle/ | Read Allison: ‘If Rachel Reeves were Conservative she’d have been turfed out long ago’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03/25/if-reeves-were-conservative-shed-have-been-turfed-out/ | Buy Mike’s book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Odyssey-Moscow-Westerners-Encounter-Russian/dp/1803997303 | 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 | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 2m
  2. The Burgeoning Benefits Bill

    20 MAR

    The Burgeoning Benefits Bill

    As Prime Minister Keir Starmer strays further Right in his policy decisions on defence spending and benefit cuts, your co-pilots strap into the rocket once more to journey into the madness orbiting Planet Earth. Are Labour finally talking sense when it comes to reforming the welfare system? After breaking down the figures Liam thinks the cuts from Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Liz Kendall won’t even touch the sides, whilst Allison reveals some shocking truths about so-called ‘benefit influencers’... Cashing in on a return fare to the rocket is economist Julian Jessop, who gives his predictions ahead of the upcoming Spring Statement, and just how ‘nasty’ things could be… And co-pilot Pearson isn’t short of words for the Shakespeare birthplace trust after their recent decision to ‘decolonise’ the playwright's birthplace. 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: ‘Radical welfare reform is the bitter medicine Britain needs’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03/18/radical-welfare-reform-bitter-medicine-britain-needs/ | 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 | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 14m
  3. Ructions in Reform

    13 MAR

    Ructions in Reform

    As the internal ‘punch up’ in Reform UK rumbles on, your co-pilots give their take on the latest fumblings. But whose corner are they fighting for? Allison is unimpressed and thinks the last thing the country needs is to see one of its newest parties in a ‘willy wanging contest’. Whilst Liam thinks the fractions could be due to possible ego inflation happening in line with the party’s expansion.  And both co-pilots ponder if Reform can really reform itself? Strapping in for a return voyage on the rocket is investigative journalist Charlotte Gill who explains all about her campaign to clean up ‘‘woke waste’ and why the taxpayers in this country are ‘funding their own demise’… And Liam shares more from his recent journey… up a chimney! 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’s alpha males need to shut up and get on with the job’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03/11/reforms-alpha-males-need-to-shut-up-and-get-on-with-the-job/| Read Liam: ‘Trump’s economically illiterate bravado could do very serious damage’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/03/09/trumps-economically-illiterate-bravado-could-do-damage/ | Read Allison and Molly Kingsley: ‘Five years on, British officialdom remains blind to the Covid catastrophe’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03/08/british-officialdom-remains-blind-to-the-covid-catastrophe/ | Read more from Charlotte: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/c/cf-cj/charlotte-gill/ | Read Charlotte’s substack: https://www.charlottecgill.co.uk/ | 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 | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 14m
  4. The Lockdown Legacy of Covid

    6 MAR

    The Lockdown Legacy of Covid

    It’s geopolitics stupid.The issue at the forefront of the rocket’s orbit today as there’s certainly no shortage of global madness to contend with. Both your co-pilots reflect on the explosive meeting between President’s, Trump and Zelenskyy. Co-pilot Pearson thinks the latter may have ran out of cards to play when embarking on potential negotiations. Whilst co-pilot Halligan is concerned Donald Trump is underestimating the economic power of the Chinese when raising tariffs. Strapping into the cockpit this week for a return voyage on the rocket is leading epidemiologist, Professor Carl Heneghan who expresses his concerns of the economic and social implications of the ongoing covid19 inquiry. And Allison gives her take on Meghan Markle’s latest television project… 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: ‘Starmer’s sabre rattling over Ukraine is dangerous nonsense. We’re in no state to fight a war’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03/04/starmers-sabre-ukraine/ | Read Allison: ‘I hate to think what the late Queen would have made of ‘With Love, Meghan’:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2025/03/05/meghans-netflix-show-late-queen/ | Read Carl’s substack: https://trusttheevidence.substack.com/ | 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 | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 16m
  5. Allison  Pearson defends free speech against police

    27 FEB

    Allison Pearson defends free speech against police

    Co-pilot Pearson has a huge announcement this week as she launches legal action against Essex police after her traumatising experience last year. In this episode she explains what has led her to take a stand against such ‘Orwellian’ behaviour… As Prime Minister Keir Starmer jets to Washington for a meeting with President Trump, your co-pilots ponder whether the Labour Party has changed its tune on defence spending to meet the President’s demands or if it is all statistical smoke and mirrors… Also boarding the rocket this week is author of ‘Far from Eutopia: How Europe is failing – and Britain could do’, political commentator Ross Clark who reflects on the recent elections in Germany and why the events illustrate a seismic change for Europe. There’s certainly no shortage of madness stirring your co-pilots juices this week… 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: ‘Why I’ve decided to take legal action against the police’:  https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/25/why-ive-decided-to-take-legal-action-against-police/ | Read Ross’s book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Far-Eutopia-Europe-failing-Britain/dp/0349146969 | 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 | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 15m
  6. Reeves’ nation inflation

    20 FEB

    Reeves’ nation inflation

    There’s more woe on the horizon this week with the delivery of less than positive inflation figures.. But no fear, your co-pilots are at the helm to guide you through this economic morass. Co-pilot Pearson has strong feelings about her new ‘boyfriend’ Vice President JD Vance’s speech at the security summit this week, whilst Liam takes a closer look at the latest economic figures. Spoiler alert; there is an ‘I told you so’ on the horizon. Also stepping into the cockpit this week to discuss her recent documentary, ‘Heresies: Britain’s Silent Rape Explosion’, is broadcaster Alex Philips. And your co-pilots have had a very exciting photoshoot…. 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 Alex: https://www.thatalexwoman.com/ | Watch Alex’s documentary:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJ58WG3hd2g | Watch clip of Alex: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3XaIYx2hII | Read Allison: ‘JD Vance’s courageous lecture on migration has shamed our gutless elites’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/18/jd-vances-hard-truths-migration-shamed-europe/ | 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 | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 23m
  7. The final nail in the agricultural coffin

    13 FEB

    The final nail in the agricultural coffin

    Rule by law or rule by lawyers, that's the question your co-pilots are posing from the rocket today as they ponder the week’s events on Planet Earth, and there’s certainly no shortage of madness! Liam thinks the political state of the UK is less about supporting parties and more about being for or against the Whitehall 'blob’. Whilst Allison is frustrated at the attitude of the Tory party based on her interactions with members of the electorate. The co-pilots bring you a very special interview deep from the Welsh Hills from Gareth Wyn Jones who attended the recent farming marches and gives the rocket an exclusive glimpse from the outside. But do your co-pilots think Keir Starmer broke his promise to farmers? Elsewhere there is a bulging mail bag to contend with and one lucky reader has won Allison as a prize… 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: ‘Lefty lawyers like Starmer and Hermer have poisoned our children against Britain’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/11/hermer-starmer-lawyers-poisoning-children-against-britain/ | Read Allison: ‘Pregnant people’? Even rail chiefs have bowed to the woke god of inclusivity’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/05/the-death-of-the-formal-train-announcement-is-a-tragedy/ | Read post referenced by Allison: https://x.com/chishol92148373/status/1889322433875787943?s=48&t=OPk5GiE2zJCmmPkPDAnuTg | 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 | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 11m
  8. The Rise and Rise of the Reform Polls

    6 FEB

    The Rise and Rise of the Reform Polls

    Is the country falling apart? It’s starting to feel like it this week on the rocket as your co-pilots lament the latest shortcomings from the Labour Party, questions over lockdown rule breaks, Trump’s tariff wars and the return of the dreaded ‘Brexit’ talk… What do your co-pilots make of Reform leader Nigel Farage’s rising popularity? Resident rocket economist Liam also gives his take on President Trump’s recent tariff turbulence. Beaming into the rocket this week is Baroness Tina Stowell who explains more about the sale of the Telegraph and where there are opportunities, and dangers, in the revolution of artificial intelligence. And Allison has some questions for network rail, who have sent her on a one way ticket to the latest woke war of woe this week… 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: On Islamophobia and migration, Labour are asking us to believe the impossible’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/04/islamaphobia-migration-labour-impossible/| Read Allison: ‘The death of the formal train announcement is a tragedy’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/05/the-death-of-the-formal-train-announcement-is-a-tragedy/ | Read: ‘Abu Dhabi fund ‘must be forced to sell The Telegraph by Easter’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/01/30/abu-dhabi-fund-must-be-forced-sell-the-telegraph-by-easter/ | Read Tina’s report: https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld5901/ldselect/ldcomm/71/71.pdf | 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 | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 11m

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    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.

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