Planet Normal

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 2023. The rocket featured many guest appearances from big names in politics including previous Home Secretary, Priti Patel, live from the Conservative party Conference in October. She shared her thoughts on the ‘woke blob’ run...

The bells are ringing, the Christmas spirit has well and truly hit the rocket. Joining your co-pilots in looking back at the highs and lows of 2023 as well as giving their predictions for 2024 is Telegraph columnists Con Coughlin and Tim Stanley. Was 2023 the year of immigration? Is the Tory party as we know it finished? And what’s on the cards for European politics and elsewhere across the w...

The Tory tribes are at war over the Rwanda Bill, but who will emerge victorious? One thing is for sure, these party politics aren’t very festive at all… Co-pilot Pearson has polished her crystal ball and is ready to predict which way the party is going to swing in the immigration debate. She thinks there is a huge gulf between the ruling class and the rest of the Country which could allow opp...

This episode was recorded before the resignation of Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick. The lettuce has returned, could PM Rishi Sunak be heading for a similar demise as his predecessor Liz Truss? And would the Conservative party be mad enough to change leader AGAIN before the next general election? Both your co-pilots place their bets. Meanwhile the Tory Cabinet has snapped into action to reduce...

It's been a calamitous week for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, at least that’s what our co-pilots think with the latest immigration figures hitting a record high. So is he really ‘busy delivering’ as he claims? In light of the shocking riots happening in Ireland, Liam weighs in on the rising concerns about immigration now coming to the forefront in his homeland. He feels the views of the people are n...

It’s budget week on the rocket and the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has some sizeable tax cuts to pull out of his fiscal stocking. But what do your co-pilots make of the Country’s pre-christmas giveaway? Joining us to navigate this autumn budget is associate editor for the Telegraph Ben Wright, who gives his take on the Chancellor’s statement. Liam thinks the Conservatives have buckled under pressure fr...

It’s been a busy week at No10 with Suella being shown the door and the surprise recycling of David Cameron returning as Foreign Secretary. Could this be the most controversial of all recent cabinet reshuffles to date? Both co-pilots question Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s decision, wondering whether he has abandoned the faithful Red Wall in favour of appealing to the swing voters and picking up...

To protest or not to protest? The question on everyone's mind this week as the conflicts between Remembrance weekend commemorations and pro- Palestine marches reach a heated conclusion. Your co-pilots  weigh in on the power and the pain of both arguments. Liam and Allison are both opposed to the protest going ahead on Saturday with Liam questioning whether the law is being ‘circumvented’...

With the Covid Inquiry reaching boiling point, your co-pilots dissect the political finger pointing and blame shifting amongst the witnesses.   Allison is feeling infuriated and disgusted at the events unfolding, whilst Liam feels it’s simply 'political theatre' and a show trial for people that dislike former PM Boris Johnson. In light of said inquiry, strapping into the rocket this week is P...

It's a whole year since Rishi Sunak took the reins at No10 but has it been more annus horribilis or steady as she goes for Planet Sunak's Premiership? In light of the historic by-election in Tamworth and Mid Bedfordshire, Allison thinks the government have abandoned Conservative voters, and that the Reform party could be poised to steal those disillusioned.  Whereas Liam questions w...

N.B This episode contains content that some listeners may find distressing As the shocking events in the Middle East continue, the rocket reflects on the impact of Israel’s declaration of War on Hamas, and how that can affect the UK and the rest of the world. Liam draws shocking parallels to the Yom Kippur War and thinks there could be a danger of the conflict having a significant impact on o...

It’s an 'alright' from Liverpool this week as the rocket orbits the Labour Party Conference. So, as the glitter settles around Keir Starmer’s speech, and jacket, what do your co-pilots make of the opposing Party’s speeches? Liam thinks the Labour Party leader delivered a ‘blinder’ and is impressed by the Party’s focus on issues such as housing and the cost of living crisis. Allison agrees but pond...

The rocket beams in live from the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester this week, at the last conference before the next election. And with strikes, and policy gloom on the horizon the mood is surprisingly upbeat. The unexpected jovial mood at the conference isn't swaying Allison who is adamant that voters will be staying home in the upcoming by-elections, and that its leaders and decision...

As the Conservative Party conference fever grows, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak appears to be changing his tune with some big amendments in the Party's manifestos. But will it change the state of play in the polls? Staring down the barrel of a potential election whitewash Allison is questioning after thirteen years of rule what the Conservative Party have actually done for the country. Whilst Liam ma...

There’s a sweet taste of retribution on the rocket this week as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak rows back on the green policies that have been intensely scrutinised on the rocket. However, with the smell of burning tyres still fresh in the air is it a rocky road ahead for the Tory Party? Both co-pilots welcome the U-turn but Liam is concerned about who will be paying for net zero, and the economic...

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...