Planet Normal

It’s official the interparty name calling has began, a sure sign that a general election is in the offing. And what’s all this about the triple lock and picking on pensioners? Only your co-pilots have the answers.  Allison thinks we should be focusing less on the triple lock and more on the ‘hair-raising’ pay to pensions in the public sector while ignoring those in the private sector without...

The heatwave is on, the sun is hot but Westminster is hotter as the politicians return, and there’s no shortage of issues on the new term agenda. Allison thinks the Conservatives are making their own concrete boots, and Liam is on hand to break down what exactly RAAC concrete is and why it could be the final nail in the coffin for the Tories. Allison is struggling to find a single politician...

There’s a chill in the air and the schools are back, which means Planet Normal is ready to blast off again, and there’s been no shortage of madness to contend with. Both our co-pilots are digesting the conviction of neonatal nurse, Lucy Letby, for the shocking murder of seven babies and question the bureaucratic issues that might have led to such an unthinkable crime. As we steam towards the party...

In this the final of the four 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 May, we heard from Planet Normal listener, and professional rowing coach Jane, who shared her despair at the lack of regulations with trans athletes competing against women, specifically in rowing eve...

In this the third of the four 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 March, co-pilot Pearson travelled to Sweden for a Planet Normal exclusive interview with ‘pandemic hero’ and state epidemiologist for Sweden during the pandemic, Anders Tegnell. The co-pilots also welcomed...

In this the second of the four 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 February, co-pilots Halligan and Pearson welcomed Telegraph Science Editor, Sarah Knapton who explained why she felt 'bruised' by her experiences reporting on Covid and why she pushed back against the mai...

In this the first of a four 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 the year so far. The rocket blasted into the year with a special guest appearance from podcaster and comedian Konstantin Kisin. He shared his thoughts on how the UK could tackle the ever growing problem of illegal immigration...

In the latest episode, before the rocket blasts off for a brief summer break, it’s Allison vs Alison as co-pilot Pearson takes on Dame Alison Rose in the still brewing Coutts Bank versus Nigel Farage war. But who will emerge victorious? Allison thinks things have taken a sinister turn and demonstrates the dark side of the diversity , and equality industry invading big corporations and businesses....

There’s something in the air this week, but what is causing the temperature to rise in the rocket of right thinking this week? Is it the woke banks telling you how to think before depositing your money or is it the 'Nudge Unit' colouring in all the maps in a sea of climate change red? Only your co-pilots have the answers. Both co-pilots are worried that climate alarmism has gone completely be...

Note: this episode was recorded before Huw Edwards was named by his wife as the presenter at the centre of the BBC scandal.  There are no shortage of crises on the rocket this week, in-between the economic and immigration rows and a sex scandal threatening to rock the BBC, our co-pilots have got their hands full.  Allison’s disgust with the government’s immigration policies are growing b...

It’s the 75th birthday of our National Health Service but your co-pilots are feeling far from ready to celebrate… Allison thinks it’s less of a national health service and more of a national disaster, and Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak is too busy with a 15 year workforce plan to fix anything quickly. Liam thinks the PM will struggle to meet his targets across the board including the NHS, whilst...

Following the Bank of England increasing interest rates, a mortgage crisis is looming. A week on, at Prime Minister's Questions, Sir Keir Starmer is appealing to the traditional "red wall" seats, saying Labour is now the party of homeownership. Liam quickly points out that while inflation is a global phenomenon, the political costs for the Conservatives could be 'catastrophic'. Allison agrees, rec...

With the ‘media froth’ surrounding the economy building, bond yields spiking and interest rates set to soar, can our economy keep defying gravity? Special guest co-pilot Nick Timothy is on hand to explain why interest rates are set to feel incredibly painful during this the Bank Of England’s 13th interest rate rise. However, Liam thinks that there is a ‘policy crunch' on the way with the...

The summer silly season isn’t yet upon us but already things have descended into circus mode, with Boris Johnson’s resignation as MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip. But did he jump or was he pushed? And will he go down without a fight? Allison thinks Boris Johnson is being hung out to dry in a ‘witch hunt’ and doesn't believe any former Prime Minister deserves.  Whilst Liam is quick to i...

There’s a lot to discuss this week; the latest lockdown report, Sir Keir Starmer taking on the Unions and some High Court action. Your co-pilots are strapped in ready to give their take. It's a big week for the covid misinformation brigade as the latest lockdown report lands in the rocket. Is retribution in the air? As for the country's own inquiry, it all seems to be taking an awfully long t...

Where are all the grown ups? This is the burning question our co-pilots are asking today. Amongst the latest drama at Westminster not to mention the This Morning sofa, our co-pilots feel as if they’re now  living through the looking glass. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer’s energy strategy is under (a carbon emitting) fire, which Allison describes as an act of ‘national suicide’ too r...

Inflation has slowed but the latest bombshell immigration figures are in. Could the Conservative party be heading for a possible 1997-style landslide election defeat? Liam thinks the latest immigration figures could give Labour the leg up they need, but only if they start ‘talking tough’ and stop trying to appease their most Left leaning voters. Joining the rocket this week is Nigel Farage, who bu...

We saw two mini conferences this week from Tory Land: both the National Conservative conference and the Social Conservative Democratic Organisation had speakers from across the party both claiming they know what is best for members going forward. Are we about to see a full blown Tory identity crisis? Allison predicts the last nail in the Conservative coffin might be on the horizon w...

The local elections results are in and your co-pilots are on hand to deliver their verdict. But who won the all important sweepstake, Allison or Liam? Liam thinks the Conservatives should be quietly confident with the results, but suggest they should reframe the threat of an anti-Tory coalition as a ‘coalition of chaos’. Allison however, is doubtful that the governing party can hold...

NB: This episode was recorded on Wednesday May 3rd 2023 It’s a big week on the rocket, as England faces local elections and The Coronation in one orbit. But will the pomp and circumstance be enough to distract from potentially troublesome poll results for the Tory party? Your co-pilots have their predictions ready. Allison thinks Rishi Sunak might have to pull off a miracle to help the C...

With concerns about the London marathon and FA cup final due to protests, our co-pilots weigh in on the latest protest psychodramas dominating the news this week. Allison thinks public patience with these sorts of protests is wearing thin and that more realistic net zero targets need to be set. Whilst Liam is optimistic that the renewable energy debate is shifting towards a bigger focus on technol...

As the country’s junior doctors hit the picket lines, your co-pilots hit the rocket of sweet reason to dissect what’s really going on in our ‘first class' National Health Service. Allison thinks the NHS might have finally kicked the bucket and questions whether we should start sending patients abroad for treatments, whilst Liam thinks the strikes represent bigger failings of our politica...

The campaign starting gun has been fired and the race to the local elections has begun. But which horse is the current front runner in the eyes of our co-pilots? Allison believes the Conservatives are heading for a huge election defeat and a chasmic ideological party split. However Liam doubts that Keir Starmer lacks the charisma to achieve a 1997 style landslide.  Also on the podcast, our co...

In the second of this two-part lockdown retrospective, your co-pilots welcome back onto the rocket some of their heroes from the pandemic, those they feel that have spoken out against the mainstream. Previous stowaways Sir Graham Brady, Professor Pat Price, Laura Dodsworth, Lord David Frost, Luke Johnson, Lord Jonathan Sumption and the infamous 'George' all strap in to share where they were in Mar...

In the first of this two-part lockdown retrospective, your co-pilots look back at the events of March 2020, that unexpectedly led to them being at the helm of a ‘covid podcast’. Both are in no doubt that the pandemic has changed them. Allison feels she has lost a trust in authority as a result, whilst Liam feels he’s become steelier at arguing his opinion, after speaking out against mainstream&nbs...