This episode was recorded before the evening's events in the House of Commons. You can read more here on the Telegraph's live blog: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/02/21/rishi-sunak-latest-news-atkins-labour-snp-gaza/#commentIt was a double by-election blow for the Conservative Party as Labour claimed victory in Wellingborough and Kingswood. In what is now a common occurence the third by election next week in Rochdale sees your co-pilots welcome standing candidate George Galloway onto the rocket to hear his fighting talk.He argues the Labour Party have brought ‘disgrace’ to the constituency and that his party is ‘ready to punish them’. He also puts forward his case for bringing Boris Johnson back as leader of the Conservatives…Liam thinks that despite the polls predictions, we might see a closer General Election result than people expect.And Allison, who has taken umbrage with Party Leader Penny Mordaunt’s politics in the past, still champions her as a better leader than the current PM.And your co-pilots salute the genius that was Dad’s Army and take a march down memory lane...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/ |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.

Give children brick phones, not smartphones, says this week's guest on the rocket of right thinking, Sophie Winkleman. The Peep Show star gives an insight into her plea to promote screen free learning for children and finds time to share a sprinkling of showbiz gossip on the rocket… Plus your co-pilots experience some déja-vu, as the Tories demonstrate another set of 'barely managed meltdowns.'But is the Prime Minister really ‘sticking to the plan?’Liam gives his take on the latest stagnant inflation figures, but warns that if the PM doesn’t change his plan we could be headed for economic woe and a recession.And weighing into the latest drama from the Labour Party, Allison thinks the party might be being eaten by its own ‘diversity dragon', and has also found time to invent a new game: introducing ‘Rishi Bingo’.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 Liam: "The issue that could decide the election - and it's not the economy"https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2024/02/11/immigration-not-economy-key-election-success/ |Read Allison: ‘Greedy universities don’t seem to care about white middle-class British kids’https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2024/02/14/britain-white-middle-class-teenagers-greedy-universities/\Sophie Winkleman: "Screens in schools are harming our children"https://www.politicshome.com/thehouse/article/screens-schools-harming-children |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.

As inflation drops, anger on the rocket rises, at the issue of illegal immigration and asylum seekers in light of the shocking chemical attack in London. Plus, where do your co-pilots stand on Liz Truss' ‘Pop Con’? Liam thinks that immigration could well overtake the economy as the number one issue for voters in the upcoming election and closely impending by-elections. Allison feels the rise in smaller groups such as Reform and the new ‘Pop Con’ is merely a reflection of mass frustration at the failing of the Conservative Party.Strapping into the cockpit this week is former Secretary of State for Scotland Lord Michael Forsyth, who presents his defence for the recent criticism of the House of Lords, as well as his grave take on the state of the current Conservative Party.And Allison is outraged that the home nation of her beloved cat, Didi, Turkey, has been deemed 'unsafe' by Home Office officials. 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: ‘When will we stop men from barbaric cultures acting out their evil ideologies on British soil?’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2024/02/06/chemical-attacks-barbaric-cultures-evil-acts-british-soil/ 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.

This week your co-pilots are busy celebrating the anniversary of Brexit and the subsequent birth of Planet Normal. But aside from a hit podcast, what does the country really have to show from the referendum?Liam thinks that the people talking down the economy since the referendum often underestimate UK, and that our GDP growth is actually on par with other countries in the EU. Allison meanwhile is seething at another scandal afoot with British universities, which she believes is causing an ‘apartheid’ between UK and International students, by favouring the former.This week the rocket welcomes 'Amy' and 'James' onto the rocket to share their daughter's story. A classmate of their child joined the Church of England school as a girl, while being born a boy. 'Amy' and 'James' say the child’s sex was hidden from classmates, like their daughter, who were traumatised to learn the truth. 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: ‘Universities should want brilliant British minds, not dumbed-down foreign cash cows’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2024/01/30/top-british-universities-international-students-oxbridge/Read Allison: 'Four-year-old boy allowed to join school as a girl is no Grimm fairytale but a real-life nightmare': https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/01/26/boy-four-join-school-a-girl-grimm-nightmare-mental-health/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.

This week your co-pilots are busy celebrating the anniversary of Brexit and the subsequent birth of Planet Normal. But aside from a hit podcast what does the country really have to show from the referendum?Liam thinks that the people talkng down the economy since the referendum often underestimate UK and that our GDP growth is actually on par with other Countries in the EU/Allison meanwhile is seething at another scandal afoot with British universities, which she believes are causing an ‘apartheid’ between UK and International students, by favouring the former.This week the rocket welcomes 'Amy' and 'James', on board to share their distressing story of how their child suffered physical bullying at the hands of another child who was allowed to join a Church of England school as a transgender girl.And Pearson Towers welcomes a new Queen, as Allison shares insights from the new reign of Didi the cat.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: ‘Universities should want brilliant British minds, not dumbed-down foreign cash cows’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2024/01/30/top-british-universities-international-students-oxbridge/Read Allison: ‘Port Talbot has been sacrificed to the angry god of net zero’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/01/19/port-talbot-has-been-sacrificed-to-the-angry-god-of-net-zer/ |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.

Just when the UK has finished surviving a battering from storm Isha Talk of Tory regicide is blowing its way in with storm Jocelyn. It’s safe to say your co-pilots are in for a turbulent week on the rocket.Allison is still in favour of Conservatism which she thinks a leadership change could help encourage, whilst Liam thinks that talk of a possible revolt be put to bed until after the general election, to ‘save the Country’s nervous system’.Will the upcoming by-elections in Wellingborough and Kingswood resolve this Tory leadership tussle?Strapping into the rocket this week to give his take on the state of Irish / English relations is musical legend Feargal Sharkey. He also shares his thoughts on environmental policies, a cause which he feels passionately about.And it’s the news we’ve all been waiting for as Allison’s furry friend makes her final descent to UK shores…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: ‘You think this is cold? Try living through the winter of 1963’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2024/01/17/you-think-this-is-cold-weather-dream-on/|Read Allison: ‘Port Talbot has been sacrificed to the angry god of net zero’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/01/19/port-talbot-has-been-sacrificed-to-the-angry-god-of-net-zer/ |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.

This episode was recorded before The Rwanda Bill cleared the Commons Strapping into the rocket alongside your co-pilots this week is former Fujitsu employee ‘Robin’ who gives an exclusive inside take on what really went on to cause such a huge miscarriage of justice.Plus, it’s official: the Conservative party has gone full ‘Tonto’ but is Britain's once most reliable party really heading for a breakup?Allison thinks the country is crying out for a more right-wing Conservative Party, and that Reform UK could really make waves in the next General Election.Whilst Liam questions whether Reform's policy of abolishing the 'first past the post' approach would be beneficial for the country, as it can lead to endless coalitions and very little being actioned.But both agree that the issue of small boats and the Rwanda plan currently splitting the party will be a deciding factor in the next election.And the mailbag is bursting with reader’s response to the Post Office Scandal.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: ‘’The only thing shocking about a 1997-style wipeout is that Sunak might keep 169 seats’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2024/01/16/conservative-election-1997-wipeout-sunak-government-voters/|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.

It’s business as usual this week as the rocket launches back into action after its Christmas hiatus. And your co-pilots are not short of opinions on the latest scandal.The political and media class are finally waking up to the Post Office Scandal, drawn attention to by the airing of a recent ITV drama and your co-pilots are naturally incensed at the rife injustice of the situation.Allison questions if this could be the UK’s Watergate moment whilst Liam thinks that it's worse because this scandal involves punishing innocent people who don't have the means to defend themselves.Also joining your co-pilots on their first voyage of the year is Deputy leader of political party Reform UK, Ben Habib, who shares his concerns for a Labour victory at the next general election and where he thinks it all went wrong for the current Conservative Party.And co-pilot Pearson shares her New Year’s resolutions, but has she been keeping to them?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: ‘The Post Office scandal has exposed Britain as a hotbed of cronyism and corruption: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2024/01/09/post-office-scandal-mr-bates-horizon-paula-vennell/ |Read Liam: ‘The Tories have failed to address one of the biggest scandals in the City’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2023/12/17/tories-failed-address-biggest-city-london-scandals/ |Listen to Battle Lines: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/battle-lines/ |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.

 In this the second 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 unique interviews from stowaways from many different worldly professions. In September the rocket also had a visit from former PM Liz Truss who stopped by to tell our co-pilots  why current PM Rishi Sunak needs to ditch the 2030 Net Zero target in favour of more traditional conservative policies, also taking a candid look back at her own brief premiership.Back in October, in light of the shocking events happening in the Middle East, the rocket welcomed IDF soldier Ben who gave his personal account of the harrowing events happening on the ground in Israel. 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/ | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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’ running Whitehall, and her hopes for a Tory victory in 2024.Throughout 2023 your co-pilots have prided themselves in championing unheard voices and in October the rocket welcomed former head teacher Mike Fairclough who shared his heartbreaking and shocking story of how he has been ostracised and disgraced as a teacher for giving his opinion on school closures and vaccinations at his former place of work.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/ | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 world next year? Only this rocket has the answers.Co-pilot Pearson has her gongs at the ready but who will be the worthy winner of the Allison Pearson ‘Hell Bent on Extinction’ award, the abuse of the English language award and finally the ‘For God’s Sake Make it Stop’ Award? And your co-pilots open the rocket’s mailbag for the final time this year.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: ‘My awards for 2023: from Michelle Mone to Harry and Meghan, it was a year of utter shamelessness’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2023/12/20/michellle-mone-harry-and-meghan-awards-for-2023/ |Listen to Battle Lines: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/battle-lines/ |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.

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 opportunity for the smaller new parties to thrive.Whilst Liam questions the Country’s movement to the Centre Left in comparison to other European countries recently electing more Centre Right leaders, and if this in turn could cause our potential exit from the ECHR.Strapping into the rocket this week for a chat is Historian Matthew Parker who drops by reveal the stories behind his latest novel ‘One Fine Day, Britain's Empire on the Brink'.And Velma is back with a storming stat of the 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 the Telegraph’s Review of Matthew Parker’s book:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/books/what-to-read/one-fine-day-matthew-parker-review-empire-history/ |Listen to Battle Lines: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/battle-lines/ |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.

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 the immigration figures following last week’s shock figures. Allison thinks it could be a little too late and that it is simply ineptitude masquerading as progress.Liam fears that a leadership change might make the Tories look like they’ve ‘lost the plot’ before the next general election.Also joining your co-pilots in the cockpit this week is Professor Michael Kelly from the University of Cambridge who tells our co-pilots exactly why renewable green energy cannot solve the energy crisis and how we must look at taking a different approach.And what do the co-pilots make of ex PM Boris Johnson’s take to the stand at the ongoing Covid Inquiry?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 Professor Michael Kelly's report: https://www.thegwpf.org/content/uploads/2022/03/Kelly-Net-Zero-Progress-Report.pdfListen to Battle Lines: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/battle-lines/ |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.

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 not being reflected fairly in the UK media.Whilst Allison’s frustration at the ongoing covid enquiry grows as she feels balanced views are not being represented and that our enquiry is an ‘embarrassment’ compared to those happening elsewhere around the world.Hopping aboard the rocket this week is  former Labour MP Stephen Pound, who drops by to deliver his verdict on how Leader Keir Starmer is faring in the run up to a general election, as well as his take on the ongoing conflict in Israel.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: ‘Politicians have created a multicultural monster beyond control. Who gets the blame? We do’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk |Read Sarah Knapton: 'The possibility Covid is man-made is not a 'divisive' issue - the world needs to know': https://www.telegraph.co.uk |Find out more about Telegraph Money here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/ |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.

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 from the right of the party with sizable tax cuts, and questions where the funding for these cuts is coming from.Ben breaks down the figures behind the headlines, to conclude that there aren't actually sizable changes in this statement, and that it could all be smoke and mirrors. Is there a whiff of desperation in the air?Whilst Allison examines the other side of the bench and is full of praise for Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ response to the statement. Could there be letters of no confidence once again making their way across the halls of Westminster?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/ |Find out more about Telegraph Money here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/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.

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 some of the Lib Dems fans.Liam thinks the PM has made a grave error in surrounding himself with politicians that are out of touch with the people of this Country. Whilst Allison thinks post reshuffle that the demise of the Conservative party could be sooner than we think and that Sunak will be the one carrying the coffin.Boarding the rocket this week is Director of National Institute of Economics, Professor Jagjit Chadha. who shares the bleak reality of the UK economy ahead of the Autumn budget next week and reveals what he thinks the country could do to boost growth levels.And finally hell hath no fury like a Suellla scorned, as co-pilot Pearson gives her hot take on THAT letter.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 ‘Braverman’s letter was written in fire – none of us can doubt what a snake Sunak is: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2023/11/14/rishi-sunak-suella-braverman-sacked-home-secretary-snake/\Listen to The Lockdown Files : https://podfollow.com/the-lockdown-files |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.

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’. Whilst Allison thinks we could be reaching a tipping point between sensitivity towards different groups and a full public uprising as the pre protest fever grows.And what did they make of the first King’s Speech in 70 years? Was it the forethought of a Conservative government ready to begin a fifth term?Strapping into the rocket this week are not one but three stowaways Molly and Ben Kingsley and Arabella Skinner from the children’s campaign group  ‘Us for Them’. They deliver what they think are the shortcomings of the ongoing Covid Inquiry and why they think a separate enquiry should be launched in order to better consider the wider implications and damages to children.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 'When poppy sellers cannot honour the dead, we must take a stand': https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2023/11/07/poppy-sellers-armistice-day-protest-palestine-million-march/Listen to The Lockdown Files : https://podfollow.com/the-lockdown-files |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.

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 Professor of Epidemiology at Oxford University, Carl Heneghan who reveals how he felt ‘ambushed’  and subject to a ‘character assassination’ when he was called to give evidence.Elsewhere Allison reveals what happened when she interviewed the Israeli ambassador and Liam gives a sobering forecast on interest rates.And brace yourselves there’s a spot of Planet Normal karaoke….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/ |Listen to The Lockdown Files : https://podfollow.com/the-lockdown-files |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.

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 whether the outcome will be the same at the next General Election and voters will continue to stay at home when the stakes are much higher.Velma also dives into the opinion polls to discover trust in the country’s PM is dropping. Is Sunak at the helm of a rapidly sinking ship?Joining your co-pilots on the rocket this week is Housing expert Rose Grayston, who tells our co-pilots why housing could be the issue that swings young Tory voters in the next General Election, and explains just how bad the social housing crisis really is….And there’s an eagerly awaited update from Allison’s new furry friend..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/ |Find out more about Telegraph Money here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/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.

N.B This episode contains content that some listeners may find distressingAs 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 oil prices, subsequently leading to the cost of living crisis dragging on for longer than expected.Whilst Allison raises her concerns of the rising tensions at home between groups of supporters attending marches in solidarity.Joining your co-pilots on the rocket this week is IDF soldier Ben, who gives his personal account of the harrowing chaos happening in Israel and how the group are furthering the support for civilians on the ground.And Velma makes a return to the rocket with some interesting by-election facts..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 ‘The pro-Palestinian protest at the Cenotaph was an outrage’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2023/10/17/pro-palestinian-protest-cenotaph-outrage/ |Read: ‘A final farewell to Nigel Lawson – the chancellor who set people free’:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/10/17/nigel-lawson-memorial-westminster-ex-tory-chancellor/ |Find out more about Telegraph Money here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/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.

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 ponders if Labour are simply appealing to the many disillusioned Conservative voters.  And what really went down at this year’s fringe meetings? Liam has the inside track.Hopping aboard the rocket this week is former head teacher Mike Fairclough who shares his heartbreaking and shocking story of how he has been ostracised and disgraced as a teacher for giving his opinion on school closures and vaccinations at his former school.And both Allison and Liam respond to the devastating events in Israel.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 ‘The horror in Israel has put the failure of Western multiculturalism on shocking display’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2023/10/10/allison-pearson-hamas-massacre-israel-britain-jewish/|Support Mike's crowd funder for his case:  https://democracythree.org/a-battle-for-free-speech |Find out more about Telegraph Money here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/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.

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 makers deserve a period of petenance that might follow a potential epic defeat next year.Whilst Liam, from his position in the hustle and bustle of the conference sees the real energy coming from the fringes of the party such as Liz Truss and her rousing 'pro growth' speech.Joining the co-pilots on the rocket this week from Conference is former Home Secretary Priti Patel, who gives her take on the ‘woke blob’ running Whitehall, and why she believes a Tory victory is still possible in 2024.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 ‘I am a conservative but I am done with this Government’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2023/10/03/tory-vote-lose-election-sunak-conservative-party-conference/ |Read the US Editor’s Newsletter: https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/fromtheuseditor/ |Listen to Ukraine: The Latest: www.playpodca.st/ukraine|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.

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 makes a case for the Party’s very representative and multicultural front bench, in light of Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s latest speech in Washington DC.And both co-pilots pick their movers and shakers ahead of potentially the last Party conference and the next General Election.Joining your co-pilots this week to weigh in on the HS2 debate is Jonathan Tyler, who tells our co-pilots why the expansion isn’t the carbon effective alternative it’s been portrayed as and might just be more of a ‘scar on the landscape’.And Allison shares some entertaining stories from her recent trip back to her Welsh homeland…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 the US Editor’s Newsletter: https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/fromtheuseditor/ |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.

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 consequences of easing the targets. Could this shake up ahead of the next General Election appeal to more red wall voters and play in the Conservatives' favour?Joining your co-pilots on the rocket this week is former Prime Minister Liz Truss, who tells our co-pilots explain why current PM Rishi Sunak needs to ditch the 2030 Net Zero target in favour of more traditional conservative policies. She also takes a candid look back at her own brief premiership.And there’s a building mailbox to tackle, as the listeners weigh in…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 ‘Beware turning Russell Brand’s story into a conspiracy theory itself: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2023/09/19/brand-conspiracy-theory-own-right/ |Read Allison: ‘I’m not surprised Theresa May says she’s proud to be woke. She’s never been a true Conservative..’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2023/09/19/theresa-may-conservative-woke-transgender-immigration/ |Listen to Ukraine: The Latest: www.playpodca.st/ukraine|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.

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 a pension. While Liam thinks the Government should be spending more on those that rely entirely on their state pension.Strapping into the rocket this week is Conservative MP for Co-pilot Pearson’s old stomping ground of Lincoln, Karl McCartney. As a former Parliamentary under-secretary of State for Transport, he explains why he doesn’t agree with the ‘green zealots’ in his party, as it doesn’t match the lifestyles or economic circumstance of voters who rely on their cars.And brace yourselves there’s a new addition to Allison’s list of people that she would like to slap...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 Liam: ‘Soaring oil prices are an ominous sign of a new world order’:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2023/09/10/soaring-oil-prices-are-ominous-sign-new-world-order/ |Read Philip Johnston: ‘It’s not just the triple lock that faces oblivion, but the state pension itself’:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/09/12/its-not-just-the-triple-lock-that-faces-oblivion/ |Listen to Ukraine: The Latest: www.playpodca.st/ukraine|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.

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 who is concerned about anything beyond the next electoral cycle and Liam doesn't think anyone wanting to be the next Prime Minister should claim any credit for lockdown…Boarding the rocket of right thinking is major donor and supporter for the Labour Party, John Mills. He tells our co-pilots where the party are at as we race towards the general elections and why the party seriously needs to consider supporting fracking. Elsewhere on the podcast our co-pilots examine the shadow cabinet in more detail and give their hot take ahead of the Labour re-shuffle.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: ‘Gillian Keegan’s rant over the RAAC scandal is just entitled whining’ : https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2023/09/05/gillian-keegan-arrogance/ |Read Allison: ‘Martha Mills’s death should be a turning point for Britain – we can no longer trust the NHS’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2023/09/06/martha-mills-death-turning-point-no-longer-trust-nhs/Listen to Ukraine: The Latest: www.playpodca.st/ukraine|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.

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 conferences, aka the ‘starting gun’ for the General Election next year, our co-pilots examine the Government which Allison calls ‘rudderless and burnt out’ and Liam explains why he thinks the ULEZ roll out has been ‘cack handed’.Also boarding the rocket is Reverend Richard Fothergill, who tells our co-pilots how his account at the Yorkshire Building Society was closed after he gave them feedback about their support for transgender ideologies. And Allison has returned from her holiday to Turkey with a furry souvenir…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:’The Letby case has revealed an NHS rancid with cover-up and corruption’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2023/08/22/lucy-letby-nhs-managers-grotesque-stupidity-and-cowardice/ |Read Allison: ‘The kiss of death for Spanish machismo’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/08/27/the-kiss-of-death-for-spanish-machismo/ |Listen to The Telegraph Women's Sport Podcast: https://podfollow.com/the-telegraph-womens-sport-podcast |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.

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 events but also the concerns across all sports.Joining co-pilots Halligan and Pearson for a return voyage in April was Lord Jonathan Sumption who shared his thoughts on the Government's lockdown inquiry, and why he believed it shouldn't have been so judicial and "quasi-forensic".  Two fantastic and unforgettable guests.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: Planet Normal: British Rowing should follow example set by World Athletics regarding trans athletes: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2023/05/11/planet-normal-trans-athletes-rowing/ |Read: Jonathan Sumption: the BBC was pro-lockdown because of the threat to the licence fee: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2023/04/06/bbc-license-fee-lockdown-government/ | Listen to The Telegraph Women's Sport Podcast: https://podfollow.com/the-telegraph-womens-sport-podcast |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.

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 back onto the rocket some of their heroes from the pandemic, those they felt had spoken out and dared to stick their head over the parapet against the mainstream.In this special episode he shared his observations from the very different approach Swedish authorities took to dealing with the pandemic, in comparison to the UK and the rest of the world. Not one to be missed!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 Pearson meets Anders Tegnell: ‘Lockdown was never on the agenda in Sweden’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/03/23/anders-tegnell-swedens-pandemic-plan-lockdown-never-agenda/ |Read ‘Planet Normal: the cognitive dissonance when it comes to lockdown’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2023/03/30/planet-normal-lockdown-heroes/ |Listen to The Telegraph Women's Sport Podcast: https://podfollow.com/the-telegraph-womens-sport-podcast |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.

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 mainstream narrative. Sarah also weighed in on the concerns of the vaccine and whether young people should be encouraged to have it.Staying within the theme of health, in May, Planet Normal listener Jon Chapple shared his moving story of dealing with the NHS as ‘a covid only service’ whilst dealing with stage four cancer diagnosis.Two very important episodes outlining some of the problems within our health service.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: At 34, Jon has incurable bowel cancer – all because the NHS turned into a Covid-only service: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2023/05/30/crowdfunding-germany-bowel-cancer-nhs-failures/ Read: Planet Normal: 'People should be made aware of link between Covid jab and heart problems’:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2023/02/09/planet-normal-people-should-made-aware-link-covid-jab-heart/ Listen to The Telegraph Women's Sport Podcast: https://podfollow.com/the-telegraph-womens-sport-podcast  |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.

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 as well as his take on the latest developments on the war in Ukraine, as a Russian immigrant.Back in March, former Chancellor of the Exchequer and Westminster legend, the late Lord Nigel Lawson, gave his assessment on current Conservative tax policies and reflected on the lasting legacy of the Thatcher government. This was one voyage not one to be missed!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 Planet Normal: New Year news tsunami foreshadows tumultuous 2023 : https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2023/01/12/planet-normal-new-year-news-tsunami-forebodes-tumultuous-2023/ |Read Planet Normal: 'The Conservative Party is going to have to reinvent itself,' says Nigel Lawson:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2023/03/09/planet-normal-conservative-party-going-have-reinvent/ |Listen to The Telegraph Women's Sport Podcast: https://podfollow.com/the-telegraph-womens-sport-podcast |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.

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.Liam thinks this story could be less about wokery and more about the potential dangers of banks moving away from cash transactions and is concerned for the millions of people in the UK that can't get access to a bank account.Elsewhere on the podcast, boarding the rocket this week is previous stowaway Laura Dodsworth and her co-author Patrick Fagan, to chat through their new book ‘Free Your Mind’ and some of the techniques they have developed to resist the increasing manipulation present in our every day lives, and how to spot it!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/ |Listen to The Lockdown Files: https://podfollow.com/the-lockdown-files 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.

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 berserk. Allison is concerned that familiar scaremongering tactics are being used to crank up the fear. Could we be headed for a climate lockdown?Liam thinks there will eventually be a shift to being energy independent, but the message is being 'cranked' up to stoke fear before financial responsibility for the Country.Also boarding the rocket this week to share the secret stories of Lord Mountbatten, is historian Andrew Lownie and author of the book ‘The Mountbattens: The Lives and Loves of Dickie and Edwina Mountbatten'.There’s also a very special email from the youngest ever Planet Normal listener…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/ |Listen to The Telegraph Women's Sport Podcast: https://podfollow.com/the-telegraph-womens-sport-podcast |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.

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 by the day. She thinks the ‘liberal elite’ in Westminster would rather stick up for foreigners than their people and that we’re in the midst of a ‘national emergency’.From immigration to the economy. Co-pilot Halligan is on hand to answer the big questions circling former Prime Minister Liz Truss’s new growth committee. Is the former PM really to blame for the country’s economic woe? Or were we already heading for a crash landing?Boarding the rocket of right thinking for her second voyage is former Olympic swimmer, Sharron Davies MBE who gives our co-pilots an update on her campaign to keep biological men out of women’s sports categories. She also explains the dangers of abolishing gender categories at children’s sports days.And Allison gives Liam a lesson in Welsh pronunciation. 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/ |Listen to The Lockdown Files: https://podfollow.com/the-lockdown-files 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.

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 Allison was surprised to agree with former PM Tony Blair, when he said more private elements need to be brought in to the NHS.Also hopping onboard the rocket to discuss the NHS at its 75th year, is Former NHS Trust Chairman Roy Lilley who tells our co-pilots more about the NHS workforce plan, why it doesn’t include a social care plan and exactly how much funding the institution needs.And Bob the Bard makes an eagerly awaited return to the rocket..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/ |Listen to The Lockdown Files: https://podfollow.com/the-lockdown-files 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.

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, reckoning Labour will lose the red wall seats won by Boris Johnson in 2019. With Labour calling the rise in interest rates a 'Tory Mortgage Bombshell', how is the Bank of England going to slow inflation by the end of the year?Also boarding the rocket of right thinking this week is Conservative MP for Wokingham, John Redwood, to discuss where he thinks the Bank of England has made tough decisions in difficult circumstances and what can be done to steady the economy.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/ |Listen to The Lockdown Files: https://podfollow.com/the-lockdown-files 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.

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 political and media classes unable to leave the Bank of England and its independence alone.Also strapping in the rocket this week is author and commentator, Dr Rakib Ehsan to discuss his new book, Beyond Grievance: What the Left Gets Wrong About Ethnic Minorities. He tells the co-pilots why he thinks there are growing tensions between the liberal cosmopolitan Left and the patriotic faith based conservatism found in many ethnic communities. In light of Labour’s considerable lead in the current polls, Nick also delivers his verdict on the party’s leadership prospects. And there’s one particularly headline-worthy listener email…Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Read more from Nick: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/n/nf-nj/nick-timothy/ \Listen to The Lockdown Files: https://podfollow.com/the-lockdown-files 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.

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 identify the holes in the recent Covid inquiry, which he thinks shows our country in a poor light.With Westminster descending into chaos could there be one hell of a political ‘ding dong’ on the cards for the upcoming by-elections in England?Also boarding the rocket this week is Russian specialist and author Owen Matthews, who in light of Putin’s recent offensive in Ukraine joins our co-pilots to share why he thinks we may be a long way off a peaceful resolution to the war.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 Call of the Witch Hunt, Boris has already lost: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2023/06/14/boris-johnson-privileges-committee/ Listen to The Lockdown Files: https://podfollow.com/the-lockdown-files 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.

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 time (as Liam says, even the Italians have finished theirs!) .The co-pilots also examine Sir Keir Starmer’s latest net zero policies. Allison thinks its supporters need to get out of 'Ed Milliband’s windmills of your mind' and into the real world. While Liam thinks the policies will cause implications for our carbon footprint and could cost more.Also strapping into the rocket this week is author and journalist Brendan O'Neill who tells our co-pilots the negative labelling of free speech could have damning consequences for our democracy, as laid out in his new book, A Heretic's Manifesto: Essays on the Unsayable.And brace yourselves, there’s a spot of karaoke from our co-pilots…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/ |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.

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 reliant upon foreign strategies to be virtuous enough for the green lobby. Whilst Liam thinks the Labour leader needs to put more care into his strategy in order to appease vital voters in Scotland.Hopping aboard the rocket today to share his moving story is Jon Chapple, who fell victim to the NHS becoming a ‘covid only health service’, leading to a late Stage four cancer diagnosis.And one listener has some entertaining tips for dealing with pesky garden visitors…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/ |Donate to Jon Chapple’s appeal: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2023/05/30/crowdfunding-germany-bowel-cancer-nhs-failures/Read Debbie Hayton: Kathleen Stock and the rejection of reality: https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/kathleen-stock-and-the-debate-over-gender-reality/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.

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 buckles in next to the co-pilots to give his take on the latest immigration figures, and why he thinks this government cannot overcome the issue because they will never leave the European Convention of Human Rights.Also on the podcast, Allison is concerned the Whitehall 'blob' is still slowing down government business with more revelations about Lockdown parties under Boris Johnson and Suella Braverman's speeding ticket.And resident economist Halligan is on hand to take us through the highs and lows of inflation; is there a sense of retribution in the air, after whispers from the Bank of England that they may have overestimated numbers?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/ |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.

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 when the net immigration figures are released next week, whilst Liam thinks that the potential betrayal of the Tory manifesto could see more extreme political forces try to grab their votes. Joining our co-pilots this week is Danny Kruger, MP for Devizes, who boards the rocket to tell our co-pilots that he thinks there is a dominating presence in the heart of government that is preventing the party’s manifestos from being fulfilled.And diving into the mailbag, one listeners plea to Universities has our co-pilots seething…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/ |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.

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 the country together, comparing recent policy announcements to ‘moving deck chairs around the titanic’.Joining our co-pilots this week is Planet Normal listener and professional rowing coach Jane, who shares her despair at the lack of regulations with trans athletes competing with women in competitive rowing events.And the Planet Normal mailbag is bursting with some brand new bards 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/ |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.

NB: This episode was recorded on Wednesday May 3rd 2023It’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 Conservatives weather this election, and that a new branch of the party might emerge from the rubble. Liam still thinks the results are hanging in the balance and will depend heavily on the state of the economy.Joining our co-pilots this week is leading economist Stephen King, author of ‘We Need to Talk about Inflation’, who joins our co-pilots to do just that! And both co-pilots share their thoughts on the latest guestlist for the weekend’s coronation of King Charles III.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/ |Listen to Being the King: https://podfollow.com/being-the-kingNeed 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.

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 technology rather than ‘moral virtue’.Joining our co-pilots this week is author Professor Matthew Goodwin, who explains to our co-pilots how our culture has become skewed towards a "new elite" class, and his fears that universities have become “ideological monocultures” that do not tolerate different opinions. And the rocket’s resident economist Halligan explains why soaring inflation rates on food could have a ripple effect on the results of the upcoming local elections.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/ |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.

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 political and media classes.Joining our co-pilots this week is trade economist Catherine McBride, who is on hand to explain exactly what the mouthful that is the CPTPP really is, and why she thinks that controversial 0.08% figure is in her words, "arse-covering".And Allison surprises Liam with some particularly enlightening insights on the economy…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/ |Listen to Ukraine: The Latest: www.playpodca.st/ukraine|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.

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-pilots weigh in on the latest political developments across the pond, and ponder over what former president Donald Trump’s arrest says about the state of democracy in America.Joining our co-pilots for a return trip on the rocket is Lord Jonathan Sumption who shares his thoughts on the upcoming lockdown inquiry, and why he wishes it wasn't so judicial and "quasi-forensic".  Plus our co-pilots pay a heartwarming tribute to recent and revered rocket guest, the late Nigel Lawson.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/ |Listen to Ukraine: The Latest: www.playpodca.st/ukraine|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.

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 March 2020, reveal what they think the collateral damage has been, as well as how they think historians will remember it.And co-pilots Pearson and Halligan delve into the  rocket’s bulging mail bag once more to share listeners' own retrospectives from the lockdown.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/ |Listen to Ukraine: The Latest: www.playpodca.st/ukraine|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.

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 thought.Also joining our co-pilots on this very special voyage is Anders Tegnell the State Epidemiologist for Sweden during the pandemic. Hailed as a ‘pandemic hero’ Anders shares his observations from Sweden’s vastly different approach in comparison to the UK and the rest of the world.And our co-pilots delve deep into the mailbag to look back on some of the listeners' own contemplations from the Covid-19 lockdown.A special thank you to Linköping University for recording our interview with Anders Tegnell. 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/ |Listen to a full length version of the Int with Anders Tegnell: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/03/23/anders-tegnell-swedens-pandemic-plan-lockdown-never-agenda/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.

Strap in, its Budget week and the Planet Normal rocket has got a first class ticket to the most eagerly anticipated financial breakdown of this Spring.Co-pilot Pearson has been sent off on a special mission (more on that to come) so Telegraph Associate Editor Ben Wright is keeping her seat warm. So: are we on course for a rocky economic ride?Liam is quietly optimistic that this ‘steady as she goes budget’ is better than anticipated, and could help erase the scars of former Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng's mini Autumn Budget. Whilst Ben worries that the Chancellor's calm ‘bedside manner’ could be treating the symptoms rather than addressing the real problems.And both co-pilots ponder the position of the opposition and question whether Labour could be a safer pair of hands to move the country forwards into smoother economic waters.Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Read more from Ben: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/b/ba-be/ben-wright/ |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.

We may be aboard the rocket of right thinking, but this week on Planet Normal we're discussing a very different type of vessel, small boats, and the Prime Minister's strong words this week about stopping them. Allison argues that if we have to leave the European Convention of Human Rights to gain control of borders then so be it, and Liam worries that this could be the latest battle in the culture wars to get really nasty. Plus joining our co-pilots on the sanctuary of sweet reason is former Chancellor of the Exchequer and Westminster legend Lord Nigel Lawson, who gives his assessment on current Conservative tax policies and reflects on the lasting legacy of the Thatcher government. Not one to be missed.And one brave listener makes a surprise plea in defense of Matt Hancock - shocking even themselves - in wake of the Telegraph's Lockdown Files.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/ |Listen to Ukraine: the latest: https://www.playpodca.st/ukraine |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.

Our co-pilots are feeling a bit smug this week, as a series of revelations lift the lid on Covid untruths at home and abroad.Allison argues The Telegraph's Lockdown Files give us a 'jaw-dropping' insight into the mayhem behind decision-making in the pandemic. Liam thinks the leaked messages will have a profound impact on the public inquiry into Covid-19.The FBI chief's admission that the virus likely leaked from a Chinese lab is cause for cheer on the rocket, as so-called conspiracy theorists are finally vindicated.Also climbing into the capsule of common sense is Director of Don't Divide Us, Dr Alka Sehgal Cuthbert, who shares her concerns about children being taught that Britain is systematically racist and warns parents to be alert to indoctrination in schools.And our co-pilots pay tribute to the late Baroness Betty Boothroyd.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/ |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.

Spring is in the air on Planet Normal, with resident economist Halligan spotting some economic green shoots amongst the doom and gloom. But all is not well on the rocket…Our co-pilots are appalled at the news that Roald Dahl’s books are being re-written. Liam labels the move cultural vandalism, with Allison declaring it is grotesque censorship. So with 'woke totalitarianism' taking hold, is any literature safe?Also strapping into the rocket of right thinking this week is economist and author, Dr Jerome Booth, who warns our co-pilots about the dangers of groupthink shutting down debate, as evidenced in particular during the Covid-19 pandemic.And finally, Allison gives her take on the verdict of Shamima Begum’s appeal to reclaim her UK citizenship. 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 '‘I was a sensitivity reader – until I realised why I was hired’ https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/0/confessions-sensitivity-reader-had-no-power-sanitise-books/ |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.

It’s all eyes on Scotland this week, after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's surprising decision to stand down. And with a TikTok ban and a Tory tax row, it’s far from a quiet week on the rocket.Liam thinks Sturgeon's determination to have her own way on gender identity issues ultimately led to her downfall. Allison believes she ran out of road on Scottish independence, and predicts Labour could be the biggest benefactors of her shock exit.Also stepping into the sanctuary of sweet reason is author and journalist Peter Hitchens, who joins our co-pilots to discuss his latest book ‘A Revolution Betrayed’ all about the ‘gigantic losses’ the country has suffered as a result of getting rid of grammar schools.And finally our co-pilots talk UFOs...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/ |Listen to the full interview with Peter Hitchens: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2023/02/16/planet-normal-brits-suffering-gigantic-loss-consequence-getting/|Listen to Off Script: www.playpodca.st/offscript|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.

She’s back. Former short lived Prime Minister Liz Truss has re-entered the Westminster fray, but is it a triumphant return? Our co-pilots give their hot take.Liam thinks the Former PM has moved the needle in the economic debate, and forced those who tore down her ideas to think again. Allison was left concerned about how much influence the OBR really has on economic policy.Also boarding the rocket this week is Telegraph Science Editor, Sarah Knapton, who tells our co-pilots how was left 'bruised' by her experiences reporting on Covid and pushing back against the mainstream narrative. She also weighs in on the issue of the vaccine and whether young people should be encouraged to get it.And our co-pilots dive into the bursting mail bag once again, to read your emails.Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Read Liam’s Twitter Thread on the OBR: https://twitter.com/LiamHalligan/status/1622196572757934081?s=20&t=fZuOC7qlN_hu4Quf9raagwRead more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/a/ak-ao/allison-pearson/ |Read Liz Truss's essay: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2023/02/04/liz-truss-downing-street-reflection-mini-budget-boris-johnson/|Listen to Off Script: www.playpodca.st/offscript|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.

As we mark the third anniversary of Brexit, our co-pilots take on the doomsters and get to the bottom of why the country feels short-changed by the decision to leave the EU.Allison argues the current government is obstructing the Brexit we voted for, whilst Liam feels the benefits of leaving the EU have been hampered by the pandemic and war in Ukraine.Also boarding the rocket of right thinking this week is journalist and author, Ross Clark, who straps in to tell our co-pilots why climate change might not be the catastrophe we have all been sold as well as the potentially dangerous impacts of the poorly thought through net zero agenda.And Bob the bard strikes again…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/ |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.

Our co-pilots feel like they’re back to the 90s this week with a cloud of Tory sleaze and looming recession hanging over the country. But will it be death by one too many scandals for the Sunak Government?The residents of the rocket are appalled by the latest ‘petty’ Westminster developments. Allison worries that Rishi Sunak is merely a ‘timid technocrat’ not fit to lead, whilst Liam thinks the PM needs to start following his instinct and stop ‘governing by focus groups.'Also climbing aboard the capsule of common sense is Conservative MP Miriam Cates, who was shouted down during a heated debate over transgender rights in the House of Commons. Miriam explains her concerns about Scotland's gender bill and the potentially harmful impacts of gender ideology on young people.And co-pilot Halligan answers the all important question... what exactly is a gigafactory?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/ |Listen to Off Script: www.playpodca.st/offscript|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.

Just when you thought the strikes couldn't get worse, teachers have decided to join the wave of walkouts. But who do our co-pilots think will come out top of the class?Allison thinks the move to strike is disgraceful after children already missed out on so much school during lockdown. While Liam believes teachers will struggle to gain as much public support for their strike as nurses.In more positive news on the rocket this week, our co-pilots praise Westminster's decision to block Scotland’s gender recognition bill.Plus, boarding the capsule of common sense is Professor Angus Dalgleish, who delivers some harsh truths about the state of the NHS and warns that in order to reform the health service we must radically change its structure.And resident economist Halligan breaks down the latest inflation concerns...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/ |Listen to How to become a dictator: https://podfollow.com/how-to-become-a-dictator |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 |Enjoy one whole year for just £59 with a Digital Subscription: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/livewell|See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's a brand new year on Planet Normal and while the rocket has been taking a well earned break there has been a tsunami of news.Our co-pilots deliver a no-holds-barred review of Prince Harry’s bombshell book, declaring it a ‘pathetic’ attack on the media that will only result in more supposedly unwanted attention.Closer to home, as industrial strife and an NHS in crisis strain the Sunak Government, Allison and Liam agree the Labour party is looking more and more like a viable alternative.Also hopping on board the rocket is author, podcaster and comedian Konstantin Kisin. He tells our co-pilots why, as an immigrant himself, he believes the UK needs to do more to tackle illegal immigration. Konstantin also shares tis thoughts on the latest developments on the war in Ukraine.And there is a new update from NHS insider ‘George’…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/ |Listen to Off Script: www.playpodca.st/offscript|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.

It’s a ho ho ho from our co-pilots this week as they embark on a very special festive voyage, strapping in for one last orbit of 2022 to look back at a year of tumultuous news.Allison had to steel herself with a glass of mulled wine before looking back at the year that's been: Three Prime Ministers, a war in Europe, soaring cost of living, the Queens' death, and a series of strikes.Amid the chaos Liam still wants to spread the festive joy, wishing a 'happy winter closure period' to all.But as well as the doom and gloom of 2022, our co-pilots also look back at the moments of levity on the capsule of common sense this year. From co-pilot Halligan's economic lessons, to the many appearances of Velma, and not to mention the poetic contributions of 'Bob the Bard.'The rocket of right thinking relaunches in 2023.... who knows what could happen?! 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/ |Listen to Off Script: www.playpodca.st/offscript|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.

It’s less striking action, more strike-in-action this week as England crash out of the World Cup and industrial action rumbles on. But how many strikes can the Tories take until they are down and out?Strapping into the rocket of right thinking this week is Stanford professor Dr Jay Bhattacharya. He tells our co-pilots about his private meeting with Elon Musk and why he doesn't blame the new Twitter boss for his blacklisting over the Great Barrington Declaration.'Our co-pilots also weighed in on the slew of strikes plaguing the country. Allison is losing sympathy for health workers walking out, as she thinks their timing over the winter period is 'cruel'. Liam has been impressed by the response from Labour's shadow health secretary Wes Streeting, who reminds him of a young Tony Blair. And Liam’s latest bit of political trivia has Allison quite impressed..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/ |Listen to Off Script: www.playpodca.st/offscript|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.

Our co-pilots are doing their best to minimise the gloom threatening to eclipse the rocket this week, by bringing a little festive cheer.Allison and Liam deliver their verdict on the week’s blockbuster releases; the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's Netflix tell-all, and Matt Hancock’s new book the 'Pandemic Diaries'.Co-pilot Pearson is shocked that the former government minister has been allowed to ‘pre-empt’ the public enquiry in his new book and thinks he should have been under oath first.Whilst Liam thinks that the former Health Minister has written more of an alib-iobgraphy rather than an autobiography.Also climbing aboard the spaceship sensible this week is former cabinet minister Lord Peter Lilley who explains why we need to take more of a cost benefit approach to net zero rather than an emotional one. Lord Lilley also warns soaring immigration levels are condemning a generation of young people who won't be able to get into the housing market.And as the World Cup fever continues to grow, can the beautiful game distract residents on the rocket from a potential twelve days of strike-mas?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/ |Listen to Off Script: www.playpodca.st/offscript|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.

The winter of discontent appears to be in full swing, with strikes, swelling inflation and power cuts threatening to dim the Christmas lights.This week our co-pilots are wading into the immigration debate, and strapping into the rocket to help them is the Chair of Migration Watch UK, Alp Mehmet. Alp shares his concerns at the impacts increased levels of immigration are having on our country, particularly the strain on services and infrastructure like the NHS and housing.Allison thinks that the Conservative party is a ‘junkie’ for immigration, and that they are too hooked on cheap foreign labour to tackle the growing problems.Whilst Liam thinks that Home Secretary Suella Braverman will have difficulty trying to reduce immigration levels due to a lack of backing from PM Rishi Sunak.And as the World Cup rumbles on, what is co-pilot Pearson's take on England’s latest triumph? And more importantly, has she got a new favourite player?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/ |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.

December is fast approaching but the mood is far from festive on the rocket, with strikes, spiralling living costs and World Cup wokery afoot - can it still come home?As a growing number of Conservative MPs announce plans to step down at the next election, our co-pilots mull over whether it might be time for a change in high office.Allison believes the Tories have given up on business and growth, and they're only surviving day to day. Co-pilot Pearson is also concerned the Government hasn't truly grasped the enormity of the challenges within the NHS.But Liam is doubtful that opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer is a better alternative and questions whether he is strong enough to lead a winning party, instead of gaining victory by default.Boarding the rocket of right thinking this week is journalist Charlotte Gill, who joins our co-pilots to share her frustrations with the housing market and how difficult it is for young people to own their own homes.And finally our co-pilots pay tribute to their unlikely hero… Tony Blair.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/ |Listen to How to become a dictator: https://podfollow.com/how-to-become-a-dictator |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.

Tax is the word on our co-pilot’s lips this week as Chancellor Jeremy Hunt unveils the Autumn Statement. But with some bold moves expected, could there be Tory mutiny on the horizon?Liam is frustrated at the cynical use of ‘stealth taxes,’ which he worries might drive the economy into deeper recession and break already delicate bonds of trust between the public and the state.Allison thinks the Chancellor has made ‘cowardly decisions' in order to satisfy the left-wing media and opposition, and that tax hikes could alienate the core conservative base. Also joining our co-pilots on the capsule of common sense this week is anonymous GP 'Dr Clare,' who reveals the cost that lockdown has had on accessibility to healthcare. Dr Clare also raises the alarm about excessive bureaucracy and layers of management hindering the health system.And Professor Velma makes a welcome return to the rocket…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/ |Listen to How to become a dictator: https://podfollow.com/how-to-become-a-dictator |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.

It’s Cop27 week, and as the world leaders jet in, our co-pilots digest the highs and lows from what is better known on the rocket as ‘the inverted pyramid of piffle'.The hypocrisies of the event certainly weren’t lost on either co-pilots. Liam thinks the PM should have set a better example, attending the event remotely on Zoom rather than attending by plane, whilst Allison is concerned that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s policies are unobtainable and more of a ‘green fairytale’.Also beaming into the rocket this week from the foothills of Wales is lifelong farmer Gareth, who tells our co-pilots why we could be facing a serious food shortage if we don’t start prioritising more sustainable policies that better support farmers, rather than pushing alternative milks and meats.And finally  co-pilot Pearson is holding no prisoners with her commentary on former MP (Sir) Gavin Williamson's resignation this week. Mr Wiliamson,listen at your peril…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/ |Listen to How to become a dictator: https://podfollow.com/how-to-become-a-dictator |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.

Halloween might be over but the witch hunt has only just begun, as the Home Secretary Suella Braverman is under fire over the ongoing migrant crisis haunting the UK.Allison is appalled at the treatment of the Home Secretary,  who she feels has been subject to ‘political parlour games’.Whilst Liam thinks that with the right support from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the Home Secretary could push past some difficult decisions that might ultimately, be best for the country.Also hopping aboard the rocket this week is Professor Arif Ahmed, whose decision to book a controversial speaker at his Cambridge college has reignited the free speech at universities debate. He tells our co-pilots he thinks all new students should sign a waiver acknowledging that they might come across shocking material, and explains the damaging effect that cancel culture could have on our society.Also on the podcast, as former Health Secretary Matt Hancock joins a well known reality television show, Allison shares the unlikely story of how she herself nearly ended up in the jungle...Telegraph subscribers can listen to Allison's full uncut interview with Professor Arif Ahmed at the bottom of this article: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/11/03/students-should-sign-free-speech-waiver-attend-university-says/ |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/ |Listen to Off Script: www.playpodca.st/offscript|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.

Another week on the rocket, and another Prime Minister on Planet Earth. But what does the future hold for ‘dishy Rishi’ as he moves into No10? Our co-pilots have their crystal ball out.Both our co-pilots think the new PM made a strong debut at his first PMQ’s. But Allison wonders how the new PM will fare when faced with conquering the red wall.Liam is also concerned that the Tories could be giving Labour an ‘open goal’ with such an economically flush PM  and Chancellor at the helm in the midst of a raging financial crisis.Also stowing away on the rocket of sweet reason this week is Planet Normal listener and lifelong Conservative voter, Alison, who tells our co-pilots why she hopes her fellow Tories get behind new PM Rishi Sunak, and why she'd urge him to target younger voters.And finally the rocket’s newly qualified economist, co-pilot Pearson has an inflation update for  listeners.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/ |Listen to How to become a dictator: https://podfollow.com/how-to-become-a-dictator |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.

The beloved rocket gains a few extra passengers this week as our second Planet Normal live event is broadcast from the IET in London.Allison has been gone for a mere two weeks and the country has descended into what she calls a ‘post apocalyptic mad max wasteland’. Can things come back from the brink or will co-pilot Halligan have to step in as the next Chancellor? Anything could happen!In the wake of Suella Braverman’s departure as Home Secretary, our co-pilots reflect on the circumstances surrounding her resignation, and delve into Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s early days in his new post.The first revered stowaway on the rocket this week is Lord David Frost, who shares his opinion on the current fractions in our country’s leading party, and warns that the government risks losing Brexit if it can't show it's up to the job. Also strapping in for lift-off is writer Lionel Shriver, who shares her frustration at how hard left views are maintaining what she believes are worryingly high levels of control over our society.And the Planet Normal citizens have their say as our co-pilots take questions from the live audience.We'd like to ask you a few questions about the ads in this podcast. Please click here to take a quick survey.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/ |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.

Another week, another dose of economic woe to digest on the rocket. Honorary Planet Normal citizen Nick Timothy is back to give his take on what the Labour Party have dubbed ‘the crisis made in Downing Street’.Nick thinks the Government rushed into their budget, and that the Truss camp have been slow to switch gears from campaigning to governing. Liam thinks the Chancellor and PM might be stuck in a 'doom loop,' in part thanks to the political tactlessness of their mini-Budget.Also strapping into the rocket of right thinking is former Chancellor Lord Norman Lamont, who warns economic growth cannot be achieved without stability and urges the Government to 'reset' to show it is serious about fiscal discipline. Lord Lamont also calls for changes to the Tory leadership rules, and says ousting Truss now would be ‘farcical’.And one listener shares their review of co-pilot Halligan's grooming tips…We'd like to ask you a few questions about the ads in this podcast. Please click here to take a quick survey.Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Read more from Nick: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/n/nf-nj/nick-timothy/ |Book tickets for for Planet Normal live event: https://extra.telegraph.co.uk/events/live-planet-normal-event-oct/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.

The lights have come down on another Conservative Party conference, but it hasn't been without its political psychodrama.Co-pilot Halligan beams in from the heart of the action in Birmingham, and joining him in the cockpit whilst co-pilot Pearson takes a well-earned rest is columnist and former Chief of Staff to Theresa May, Nick Timothy.Underwhelmed by the turnout and the mood at conference, Nick thinks the party may have underestimated the consequences of the recent 'botched budget'. But Liam saw glimmers of hope in the PM’s speech, and in the response to some cabinet members such as conference darling, Kemi Badenoch.Also joining Liam to help break down the conservative conference chaos is Baroness Claire Fox, who tells Liam she fears the Tory party is at risk of splitting. Claire also argues Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng should have done more to explain their economic vision to voters and markets.We'd like to ask you a few questions about the ads in this podcast. Please click here to take a quick survey.Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Book tickets for for Planet Normal live event: https://extra.telegraph.co.uk/events/live-planet-normal-event-oct/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.

Strap in for an economic rollercoaster on the rocket this week. Fresh from his perch outside the Bank of England, co-pilot Halligan is here to break down why the mini budget has caused such big waves.Liam thinks that the markets have overreacted, but the decision to cut the top rate of tax during a cost of living crisis was ‘venal’ and 'indulgent.' Allison agrees the move was an act of 'dumbfounding stupidity' so close to the Labour Party conference. She's frustrated that the new PM has been 'hiding behind the sofa' at such a crucial time. Also joining our co-pilots on the sanctuary of sweet reason is leading economist Dr Gerard Lyons, who helped advise Liz Truss during her leadership campaign. Dr Lyons tells our co-pilots the Government 'mishandled communication over the mini budget,' and takes aim at the Bank of England over its failures on inflation.We'd like to ask you a few questions about the ads in this podcast. Please click here to take a quick survey.Book tickets for for Planet Normal live event: https://extra.telegraph.co.uk/events/live-planet-normal-event-oct/ 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 |See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After a momentous period in which we lost our beloved Queen, the co-pilots are back to reflect on the historic turn of events.Allison was moved by scenes of people queueing to view the late Queen's lying-in-state, and shares her thoughts on the seismic sense of change the country is experiencing. Liam reveals the surprising warmth towards Her Majesty that he witnessed in Ireland, of all places, after the news of her death.But the tsunami of news rolls on with a major announcement on energy and a mini budget this week. Our resident economic expert, co-pilot Halligan, is on hand to answer the all important question: What is ‘Trussonomics’?Also boarding the rocket of right thinking this week is Tony Lodge, a political and energy expert who reveals why he's calling for a public inquiry into the energy crisis. And, our co-pilots share some creative ways Planet Normal listeners will be saving energy this winter.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 for Planet Normal live event: https://extra.telegraph.co.uk/events/live-planet-normal-event-oct/ Listen to Ukraine: The Latest: www.playpodca.st/ukraine|Read Tony Lodge's piece: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2022/09/17/just-paid-belgium-50-times-going-rate-keep-londons-lights/ |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.

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 |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.

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 |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.

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

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/ |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.

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

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.

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.

It’s been a dramatic week since the rocket's last journey, with scores of cabinet resignations shaking the Johnson Premiership. So will the squealing piglet’s head finally reach the chopping block? And which member of the Tory party could be waiting in the wings to take over?Liam warns the job is a poisoned chalice, and wonders who would want to take the crown when an economic crisis is looming. Co-pilot Pearson is determined that Boris Johnson's replacement must be a Brexiteer, as she mourns the loss of broken promises made by the PM in his astounding 2019 victory.Joining our co-pilots this week is Donna Ockenden, the senior midwife who led the review into the maternity scandal at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trusts. In a moving interview she tells our co-pilots about the emotional toll the review took on her, and why she thinks mothers must be made aware of the risks of remote midwife led units (MLU).In light of the interview, co-pilot Pearson vows to launch a campaign to investigate this issue further, watch this space…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 'NHS must disclose risks of giving birth in midwifery-led unit, Donna Ockenden warns': https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/07/07/nhs-must-disclose-risks-giving-birth-midwifery-led-unit-donna/ |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.

The by-election results are in, and the predictions of Planet Normal's very own clairvoyant co-pilot 'Mystic Pearson' proved to be eerily accurate.Allison warns the results show many Conservative supporters are so dissatisfied that they will vote 'A.B.B: Anyone But Boris'.Our co-pilots blame the Prime Minister's broken promises, likening his Government to a Deliveroo driver turning up empty-handed but still telling you they've delivered.Liam believes Boris Johnson's party are now just keeping him around as a 'human sponge' to absorb the pain of the impending recession. Also hopping aboard the capsule of common sense this week is financial expert Justin Urquhart Stewart who delivers some dire economic predictions. He tells our co-pilots that rising inflation won't go away any time soon, and that it could have serious consequences for investment in the UK.And George makes a triumphant 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/ |Read more from Daniel: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/d/da-de/daniel-hannan/ |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.

This episode was recorded on Wednesday the 22nd of June before the UK by-elections.It’s all eyes on the Conservative party this week as they face all important by-elections. But will it be fun in the sun for Prime Minister Boris Johnson, or a political washout? One thing’s for sure, the political heat in rocket this week is rising faster than the soaring rate of inflation, as our co-pilots share their views.Allison warns that there may be more public sympathy with striking workers than the government thinks, and Liam is perplexed at the decision to reinstate the ‘triple lock’ which sees pensions increase alongside inflation.Joining the rocket of sweet reason for a returning mission this week is Liz Cole and Molly Kingsley from the children’s campaign group ‘Us for Them. Fresh from penning their debut book ‘The Children’s Enquiry’, Molly and Liz share their dismay at the lack of consideration for the cost of lockdowns borne by children, and reveal they are concerned about Covid measures being returned to schools if cases rise in the autumn.And finally co-pilot Pearson has a very exciting career announcement to make...Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Pre Order ‘The Children’s Inquiry by Liz Cole and Molly Kingsley: https://books.telegraph.co.uk/Product/Liz-Cole/The-Childrens-Inquiry--How-the-state-and-society-failed-t/26994891 | Listen to Ukraine: The Latest: www.playpodca.st/ukraine|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.

The rising cost of living continues to bite as we board the rocket of right thinking this week, but UK-EU relations have also returned to centre stage.Baroness Claire Fox steps into the spaceboots again as guest co-pilot, to help Liam dissect all of the week's judicial jousting and performative politics. Claire believes the EU is determined to pick a fight over the Northern Ireland Protocol bill, describing it as the 'third big Brexit battle.'  Liam thinks it is 'completely out of order' the way the EU is 'messing with Northern Ireland,' and argues they just want to give the UK 'a kicking' over Brexit. The Government's economic policy was also on the agenda this week, with co-pilot Halligan suggesting the Prime Minister and his party are having an identity crisis over whether to cut taxes to stimulate the economy, or to continue borrowing and spending.Also climbing aboard the rocket of right thinking this week is Helen Thomas, Former adviser to Chancellor George Osborne and CEO of BlondeMoney. She believes that there is a battle on for the soul of the Conservative Party, but urges traditional Tories to embrace a bigger state in this time of crisis if they want to win over a new generation.Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Read more from Claire: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/c/ck-co/claire-fox/ |Listen to History Defended: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/history-defended|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.

The votes are in and the Prime Minister lives to fight another day. But is it the beginning of the end of the Johnson Premiership? Our co-pilots are divided.Allison is mourning the end of her love affair with Boris Johnson this week. Co-pilot Pearson believes his backflips on Conservative policy pledges are making voters feel like "a cheated spouse." While she's not convinced the PM is toast just yet, Allison warns his "slowly rotting edifice" is causing untold damage to his party. Liam argues there aren't any viable candidates to replace Boris Johnson, especially as the cost of living crisis intensifies and the war in Ukraine continues. But co-pilot Halligan admits he is frustrated with the PM's "flabby and limp" policy ideas, and warns he'll need proposals that are more "red meat" than "vegan sausage" if he wants backbenchers to rally around them.Also boarding the capsule of common sense this week is columnist and Conservative peer Daniel Hannan. He tells our co-pilots the PM is on his "last chance," and suggests Boris Johnson takes a leaf out of Gordon Brown's book when it comes to the economy and spending.And finally, Allison reveals the hilarious name of one of her WhatsApp group chats.Allison Pearson: 'My love affair with Boris is over' - https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2022/06/07/love-affair-boris/ |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 more from Daniel: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/d/da-de/daniel-hannan/ |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.

It's all eyes on the Queen as the nation celebrates Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee, now known on the rocket as 'Platty Joobs.' Our podcast co-hosts are struck by the parallels between this landmark event and another, the Silver Jubilee in 1977, which also fell during a period of political and economic uncertainty. Liam Halligan thinks while the mood is celebratory at the moment, all bets are off once the Jubilee has finished, as political scandals and the cost of living crisis return to the headlines.Allison Pearson thinks the Government will pay the price for recent spending pledges which have seemed more 'Winnie the Pooh' than Conservative.Also hopping aboard the rocket this week is leading economist and Telegraph columnist, Roger Bootle, who tells our co-pilots he is flabbergasted at how the Bank of England dropped the ball on rising inflation and discuss the dangers of groupthink in our financial institutions.And, our co-hosts have some advice for any Planet Normal residents planning their own Jubilee celebrations.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 more from Roger: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/r/rk-ro/roger-bootle/ | 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.

As the partygate scandal reaches a crescendo with the release of the much-anticipated Sue Gray report, our co-pilots bring you their highlights from the revelations. But is the report damning enough to see Boris Johnson bounced out of No10?Co-pilot Halligan warns the Prime Minister will never truly be rid of 'partygate,' because the scandal will forever be part of his political epitaph. But, Liam still thinks Boris Johnson will scrape by, and argues the political and media class risk looking 'astonishingly out of touch' if they continue to focus on the scandal while the cost of living soars. Co-pilot Pearson doesn't think the PM is out of the woods just yet. She isn’t bothered about how many canapés Boris Johnson ‘gobbled up,’ but rather that he was telling the nation they must obey draconian coronavirus measures while ignoring them himself.Allison also takes issue with 'game-playing' inside Downing Street, after the suspicious timing of a new cost of living support package which she believes is as much designed to 'save the backside of Boris Johnson' as it is to help those struggling.Also hopping aboard the rocket of right thinking this week is Calvin Robinson, a black trainee Priest who was blocked from being ordained in the Church of England due to his anti-woke beliefs, including that Britain is not institutionally racist. Calvin shares his despair at how 'wokeness' is taking over the church, and reveals how his experiences as an ethnic minority have often been dismissed by the 'metropolitan liberal elite' due to his Conservative views. And finally, Allison debuts her best Mansfield accent - listen at your peril!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: 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.

Inflation has hit a 40 year high this week and so has our co-pilot's frustration with the NHS.The state of the health service is at the forefront of co-pilot Pearson's mind, after a new report revealed the astonishing scale of NHS bureaucracy.Allison is furious at the "parasitical layers of management" in the health service, and argues funding should be focused on providing frontline services and reducing waiting lists.Co-pilot Halligan agrees we're not getting our money's worth when it comes to the healthcare system, but he's optimistic that there could be change in the air as more public figures raise concerns about NHS inefficiency.Liam hopes the media and public will start to demand better policies from the Government and opposition parties on healthcare and the cost of living, but predicts the latter will dominate politics for the foreseeable future. Also climbing aboard the rocket of right thinking this week is author Dr Joanna Williams, to discuss how groupthink threatens democracy and why society needs to fight against the 'woke mindset'.And finally, Allison shares the unlikely way that the rising cost of living crisis has affected her beloved pooch.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 |See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This very special 100th episode was recorded live at the Soho Hotel, London.It's a special week on Planet Normal, our co-pilots are celebrating 100 voyages on the capsule of common sense. But does Allison finally know what a podcast is?It’s a star studded affair, with many former Planet Normal stowaways making an appearance on the rocket of right thinking to celebrate the occasion.Esteemed epidemiologist Professor Sunetra Gupta joins the rocket once again, to discuss the changing opinions on Covid restrictions as the pandemic eases and why she thinks The Great Barrington Declaration should never have been labelled ‘controversial’.Chair of the 1922 backbench committee Sir Graham Brady also straps in to tell our co-pilots why he thinks VAT should be scrapped on energy bills.But does Sir Graham reveal just many letters of no confidence he has received against Boris Johnson? And finally, we hear from YOU - our acclaimed citizens of Planet Normal, as our co-pilots and guests answer your questions.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/ |Watch the Planet Normal live Event: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheTelegraphLive/videos |Listen to Ukraine: The Latest: www.playpodca.st/ukraine||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.

NB: This episode was recorded on Wednesday May 4th 2022It's Local Election Day, with some 4,350 seats being contested around the country as the rocket of right-thinking heads into orbit.So which party will come out on top? And how might the result play out for our political leaders? Liam believes that the Prime Minister has got the big calls right, and argues Boris Johnson will survive no matter the outcome of the local elections. Co-pilot Pearson isn't as convinced, warning the PM could eventually pay the price for a lack of ‘human touch’ in decisions surrounding the ongoing cost of living crisis and for his zealous pursuit of the Net Zero agenda while energy bills skyrocket.Allison also shares her take on the latest scandals engulfing Westminster. She doesn't buy into the idea that a widespread culture of sleaze exists, arguing that the majority of MPs are decent, hard working people.Also entering the sanctuary of sweet reason this week is Tim Knox. Fresh from authoring the 2022 International Care Outcomes Index, Tim climbs aboard the rocket to reveal some harsh truths about exactly where our NHS sits in the international league tables. He tells our co-pilots that the Westminster village need to 'wake up' from their complacency coma and recognise that the NHS is failing, before more lives are lost.And one listener’s unfortunate mishap with an internet search engine has our co-pilots entertained….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/ |Watch the Planet Normal live Event: https://extra.telegraph.co.uk/events/live-planet-normal-event |Read Tim Knox's report on International Health Outcomes: https://www.civitas.org.uk/content/files/International-Health-Care-Outcomes-Index-FINAL.pdf |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.

With co-pilot Pearson taking a much needed holiday this week, former Labour MP Baroness Kate Hoey steps into the spaceboots once again to help Liam tackle the latest dose of madness from our political class.Forget partygate, because this week it’s all about ‘leg-gate’ in Westminster. So what do our co-pilots think the change of subject might mean for the Prime Minister?Kate thinks Boris Johnson is an expert when it comes to weathering the storm, and she believes he would emerge victorious if he leads the Conservatives to the next election. She also reveals her concerns about Labour's leadership, warning that Sir Keir Starmer's 'Europhile' status could prevent the party from winning back red wall voters.Liam agrees that Brexit could come back to haunt the Labour party, unless they apologise for trying to reverse the referendum decision. He wants a 'fair fight' when it comes to our democracy, and suggests the opposition should focus more on the cost of living crisis if they want a chance of victory at the next election.Also strapping into the rocket this week is Conservative MP Mark Harper, who explains why he is convinced the Prime Minister should resign. The Covid Recovery Group chairman also shares his thoughts on what the public enquiry over the pandemic should focus on.Read more from Kate: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/k/ka-ke/kate-hoey/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |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.

It might be a marathon of contrition for our Prime Minister this week, but our co-pilots are making no apologies for their views on the Planet Normal rocket.Both Allison and Liam can’t help but feel that the attacks on Boris Johnson over partygate are just parliamentary posturing, and show how unpleasant politics in the UK has become.  Allison thinks Sir Keir Starmer's assaults on the PM - invoking emotive stories of sacrifices made during lockdown - are 'entirely hypocritical', because Labour supported the measures and even demanded they go further.Whilst Liam warns the opposition's continued focus on partygate might actually alienate voters who are more concerned with issues like the spiralling cost of living and Channel migrant crisis.Also joining our co-pilots on the spaceship of sweet reason this week is Telegraph leader writer and columnist Tim Stanley, who tells our co-pilots why he feels the treatment of the Prime Minister shows we have hit a ‘new low in public life.’Tim also shares why he found the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby’s controversial comments on the Home Office's Rwanda migrant plan ‘uncomfortable.’ And finally, Allison reveals her unlikely previous life as a Sunday school teacher.Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Read more from Tim Stanley: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/t/tf-tj/tim-stanley/ |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.

It's been a bruising week for the Government, with all eyes on the Chancellor's family finances before a damaging stream of Partygate penalty notices.And with inflation on the rise and the cost of living crisis intensifying, it seems the tsunami of woes has only just begun for Boris Johnson. So can the PM navigate the storm?Co-pilot Pearson is well and truly undecided, as she confesses she is experiencing ‘Starmer-esque’ levels of fence-sitting over Boris Johnson's future as Prime Minister.Liam thinks there will be plenty of voters out to give the Tory party ‘bloody noses’ at the upcoming local elections, but it's still unlikely Boris will be replaced as leader. He believes there's much more pain to come in the cost of living crisis, and savvy leadership hopefuls will keep the PM around as a 'sponge' to absorb the worst of it.Also joining our co-pilots on another mission to the refuge of sweet reason is historian Professor Robert Tombs who beams in to give our co-pilots his thoughts on the French election.As a self-proclaimed Brexiteer, Professor Tombs is concerned that neither a Macron or Le Pen presidency will be good news for the UK. He also warns that the far-right candidate could be disastrous for the Eurozone.And finally, co-pilot Pearson has been doing her economic homework. One house point for knowing what the definition of PPI is! Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |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.

As national insurance contributions, energy prices and council tax all increased this week, so too did our co-pilot's frustration with the Government's handling of the cost of living crisis.Allison is concerned that covid could throw even more economic turmoil in the mix. With nine new symptoms being added to the official list, co-pilot Pearson fears it will be too easy for workers to use the virus as an excuse to shelter under the 'national duvet.'And as the conflict in Ukraine rages on, Liam is worried about how long the UK can maintain economic sanctions before rising living costs become impossible to bear for many Brits. So as the economic rubber hits the road, has Britain got the strength to weather the economic storm? Boarding the spaceship of sweet reason on its 95th voyage is the Telegraph's Senior Foreign Correspondent Roland Oliphant. Roland, who spent many years reporting from Moscow, shares his insights after spending recent weeks on the ground in Ukraine. He tells our co-pilots why concerns of a third World War are not hyperbole and why no real peace talks will happen until one side has suffered defeat in what he calls an ‘old fashioned war of aggression’.And finally, one listener reveals the unlikely side effect they have experienced from regular travel on the rocket of right thinking.Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Read more from Roland: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/r/rk-ro/roland-oliphant/ Get online tickets to the Planet Normal live event: https://extra.telegraph.co.uk/events/live-planet-normal-event |Listen to Ukraine: The Latest: www.playpodca.st/ukraine|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.

It's somewhat of a sombre week on Planet Normal, as our co-pilots are left shaken by the findings of the Ockenden inquiry into maternity scandals.The report found over 200 babies and mothers could have survived if it wasn't for catastrophic failures at Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust.Allison struggles to contain her anger at the revelation some mothers were even blamed for their own deaths. She believes the tragedies have exposed serious problems with maternity services, and calls for a Royal Commission into the NHS.Co-pilot Halligan is nearly moved to tears by the heartbreaking stories of bereaved parents. He hopes the disturbing revelations of arrogance and institutional lack of empathy will spark a long overdue conversation about the health service.Also boarding the capsule of common sense this week is Professor Mark Woolhouse, one of the UK's leading epidemiologists.Professor Woolhouse tells our co-pilots why he never supported lockdown policies, and takes aim at the campaign of fear around coronavirus.Plus, our co-pilots have a special update on plans for a live event to mark the 100th episode of Planet Normal.Get tickets to the Planet Normal live event: https://extra.telegraph.co.uk/events/live-planet-normal-event|Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Allison Pearson: 'The maternity report that proves the NHS is not a national treasure – it’s a national disgrace': https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2022/03/29/maternity-report-proves-nhs-not-national-treasure-national/ |Listen to Ukraine: The Latest: www.playpodca.st/ukraine|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.

It's a fiscal feast on this week's voyage, with a special episode all about the Chancellor's Spring Statement. And boarding the rocket of right thinking to give his expert take is Telegraph columnist Ben Wright.So, as inflation hits a 30-year high and families face skyrocketing energy bills, did Rishi Sunak's 'mini-budget' deliver on easing the cost of living crisis? It's a resounding no from our co-pilots.Resident economic expert Liam declares the Chancellor's statement 'politically tone-deaf.' He's concerned Rishi Sunak is playing political games rather than providing support for the most vulnerable.And the reception isn't much warmer from Ben, who warns the Chancellor's announcement will end up pleasing nobody. He thinks the Labour opposition summed up the Spring Statement perfectly when they shouted: 'Is that it?!' Also on the capsule of common sense this week, we mark two years since the UK went into lockdown with an extra special email. Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Read more from Ben: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/b/ba-be/ben-wright/ |Ben Wright: 'Is that really it, Chancellor?': https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2022/03/23/rishi-sunak-has-able-pay-paul-first-robbing-peter/ |Listen to Ukraine: The Latest: www.playpodca.st/ukraine|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.

The cost of living crisis is reaching a boiling point in the UK, and co-pilot Halligan warns things could get even worse. As food and fuel prices go through the roof, Allison points out how accurate the predictions of 'Gypsy Rose Halligan' and his crystal ball have been so far.  As we eagerly await the contents of Rishi Sunak’s spring statement, Liam thinks the Chancellor needs to splash more cash to help Brits struggling to afford necessities. He suggests Mr Sunak 'blame the war' if he's concerned about his reputation and 'small-state' credentials.Co-pilot Pearson believes the Chancellor should cut fuel duty and scrap the National Insurance rise, to ease the burden on families facing the biggest pressures on their budgets seen in decades. But there's no doubt in the capsule of common sense this week that Russia's war in Ukraine is adding fuel to the cost of living fire.And joining our co-pilots this week in a moving interview from Kyiv, is Ukrainian MP Kira Rudik. She shares a glimpse into her dangerous daily life as a political leader on Putin's 'kill list' and says she may not survive long enough to see the benefits of sanctions the West have placed on Russia.Kira also offers her gratitude to the UK for its 'amazing' support of her country and reveals that thousands of Brits have reportedly joined the fight, according to Ukrainian intelligence. Also on the sanctuary of sweet reason this week, Allison shares what she really thinks of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s latest Telegraph column. Plus our co-pilots rejoice over Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe's release after years in custody in Iran.Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Listen to Ukraine: The Latest: www.playpodca.st/ukraine|Submit your suggestions for the terms of reference of the UK COVID-19 inquiry: https://ukcovid19inquiry.citizenspace.com/contribute/terms-of-reference-consultation/ |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.

As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine intensifies, our co-pilots are breaking down what the crisis means for the UK and the rest of the world. Starting on the economic front. With soaring energy prices and public finances in disarray, is a recession now inevitable? Our resident economic expert co-pilot Halligan says it's not all bad news, with the great unlocking after the pandemic still leading to some growth. But as Brits begin to feel the effects of our economic war with Russia, he thinks Western leaders need to ‘grow up’ and ‘get back to basics’ on fiscal policy.Allison has felt a reinvigorated sense of pride for her country this week, praising the UK's efforts to equip and train Ukrainian soldiers and even taking aim at those sniping about Boris Johnson's response to the crisis. Also boarding the capsule of common sense this week is former British Ambassador to Russia, Sir Tony Brenton, who tells our co-pilots that the West must take some responsibility for the war in Ukraine, after provoking Russia with the expansion of NATO.He also warns that Western hostility is pushing Russia and China closer together, a development that Sir Tony believes could have dire consequences.And as the cost of living continues to skyrocket, Allison is considering packing it all in and heading to the wilderness. So will our co-pilots be swapping broadcasting for bivouacs?Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Listen to Ukraine: The Latest: www.playpodca.st/ukraine|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.

Entering the capsule of common sense is Former Head of MI6, Sir Richard Dearlove, who tells our co-pilots why he was surprised by Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and warns Russia's arsenal of weapons will cause 'carnage'.Sir Richard also takes aim at Europe's 'unwise' and 'naive' decision to rely on energy from Russia and weighs in on the state of armed forces in the UK.Co-pilot Pearson commends the spirited response from Ukraine, and her alter ego - the scrupulous ‘Velma’ - has been revising defence strategies, to deliver a deep dive into the ongoing conflict.Liam thinks that Putin has misjudged public opinion in Russia and underestimated the response from the West, arguing that the biggest war still to come might be the economic one. Both agree that the crisis could be an opportunity for our own Prime Minister to redeem himself after partygate, so could this be Boris Johnson's ‘Falklands moment’?Plus, our co-pilots hear from a junior doctor in Kyiv about what life is like at the heart of the battle.Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Listen to Chopper’s Politics: 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.

It’s a joyous week on Planet Normal as co-pilot Pearson returns to her rightful place at the helm of the rocket. And she’s not short of things to say.It’s three big cheers for the end of Covid restrictions, but only one and a half of those are for Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Allison fears the public mindset is now the biggest threat, and expects squeals about the end of restrictions from the 'lockdown is lovely' and ‘there’s no harm in being cautious’ classes. Liam is looking ahead to the public inquiry, and hopes it might teach us not to have a 'knee-jerk' response to any future pandemic.Joining our co-pilots this week is former Australian Foreign Affairs Minister, Alexander Downer, who beams in ahead of his review of the UK Border Force to tell our co-pilots how tough immigration policies in Australia have successfully halted migrant boats, and shut down dangerous people smuggling operations. Mr Downer also reveals that government insiders told him the Prime Minister was 'forced' into introducing many Covid restrictions. Plus, he weighs in on whether Australia would ever remove the Queen as head of state.And, fond farewells are the order of the day as George, our secret NHS source, has one last update for our co-pilots and listeners. Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Read Annette’s late father Owen’s blog: https://annettejames1.wixsite.com/pottingshedtales | Listen to History Defended: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/history-defended|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.

As tensions between Russia and Ukraine continue to build, co-pilot Halligan is joined for one week only by a new co-presenter. Telegraph defence editor, Con Coughlin, steps in to give his take on the recent developments in the region and how it could affect the rest of the world.Con believes Russia remains the biggest threat to the Western Alliance, but warns we shouldn’t overlook China and its bid for ‘global conquest’.Whilst Liam is concerned with the bigger economic issues that might be at stake and how the turmoil could impact our wallets if it isn't contained.Also boarding the rocket this week is MP and Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, Tom Tugendhat, who tells our co-pilots the European Union's response to the conflict simply proves the EU is ineffectual on foreign policy issues.He also shares his concerns on the net zero agenda, and why it shouldn’t come at the expense of levelling up or when households are grappling with the rising cost of living.And one listener email has our co-pilots laughing at an unlikely encounter with their GP. Read more from Con: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/con-coughlin/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Con Coughlin: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/02/13/vladimir-putin-taking-big-gamble/ |Con Coughlin: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/02/10/appeasing-russia-west-conspiring-destruction/ |Ambrose Evans- Pritchard: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2022/02/15/putin-close-winning-ukraine/ | Listen to History Defended: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/history-defended|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 |Make a complaint: https://www.patients-association.org.uk/making-a-complaint |See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The bell has rung for Parliamentary recess but the political drama shows no signs of slowing down, and neither do our co-pilots.Fresh from announcing he'll be standing down at the next election, MP Sir Charles Walker joins our co-pilots on the rocket to explain why he thinks it would be ‘heroic’ and ‘courageous’ for the PM to resign. He also says that the public has to shoulder some responsibility for lockdown measures, and highlights the importance of political 'Yorkshire pudding' for Boris Johnson's future (listen to find out what that means!). Also on the podcast, as Sajid Javid unveils his latest plans to shift the NHS backlog, our co-pilots share their own concerns. Allison thinks the Health Secretary is lacking urgency in this ‘matter of life and death’, while Liam thinks a proper debate, prompted by the media, is needed to restructure our healthcare system.And there is another entertaining delve into the mailbag as listeners share some entertaining anecdotes from their childhood that young people today might find incomprehensible...Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |You can contact the Patients Association here: https://www.patients-association.org.uk/making-a-complaint Listen to I Witnessed History: www.playpodca.st/witnessed |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.

Another week on Planet Normal poses more questions over the future of our Prime Minister. But do our co-pilots think Mr Johnson is a dead man walking or, to borrow a phrase from PM himself, that the Partygate storm is merely a 'pyramid of piffle'?Allison's done defending Boris Johnson for good, but Liam's advice for the PM? The economy, stupid. Co-pilot Halligan thinks he should channel Bill Clinton, by using proven economic policies to overcome his personal scandals.Plus, Liam weighs in on the Government's 'levelling up' white paper. Is it just a canny slogan? Or will the plan mean real change? Also boarding the rocket of right thinking this week is Dr Steve James, who beams in to tell our co-pilots why he confronted Sajid Javid about compulsory vaccines for NHS staff - and the overwhelming support he received after the incident went viral. Steve also shares his insights from working in ICU during the pandemic, and what he would do if he could wave his magic wand over the NHS.And, a nostalgic delve into the Planet Normal mailbag this week, as listeners share their childhood memories from the 70s.Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Listen to Chopper’s Politics: 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.

The nation waits for Sue Gray's 'Partygate' report, and Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan are here to fill the void. Will the PM cling on? Yes, says Liam, but there are more important issues at hand. He tells us what. Meanwhile Allison wonders if we're seeing a coordinated campaign against the PM from Tory ranks. And she too has been ambushed by cake.Joining our co-pilots on the rocket this week is Isle of Wight MP, Bob Seely, who condemns a 'national scandal'. Which one, you ask? The use of 'hysterical' scientific modelling to drive lockdown policies. He lays bare the damage done by decision makers who used worst-case scenario forecasting to push for draconian measures. And, as we bid Plan B restrictions a welcome farewell, listeners share the most ludicrous Covid rules in their area.Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Listen to Chopper’s Politics: 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.

Actress and presenter Denise Welch brings some star power to Planet Normal, as she joins Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan in their rocket of right-thinking. She used to pull pints in the Rovers Return, but these days, you can find her engaging with her hundreds of thousands of Twitter followers on the real-world impact of repeated Covid lockdowns. Not one to shy away from difficult truths, she tells listeners when she first recognised signs of a "Covidian cult", and shares her moving first-hand experience of a "broken" NHS.Also on the podcast: Plan B restrictions are finally on the way out, but will Boris Johnson be going with them? Our co-pilots look into their crystal ball, and weigh up the runners and riders were a Tory leadership election to take place.Allison will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 20th January 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2022/01/20/planet-normal-question-isnt-whether-boris-johnson-should-stay/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Listen to I Witnessed History: www.playpodca.st/witnessed |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.

Boarding the rocket of right-thinking in a podcast exclusive, no less, is Lord Frost. The one-time chief Brexit negotiator, who quit his Cabinet role as Brexit minister in December, tells Liam Halligan and Allison Pearson how the Government’s ineffective Covid policy drove him out of Downing Street, what it was really like sitting opposite Brussels on the negotiating table and why he advises slow steps in the Net Zero agenda.Also on the podcast - the question not even Number 10 knows the answer to: Can Boris Johnson survive so-called Partygate? Our co-pilots debate whether public outcry at a Downing Street gathering over May's lockdown could spell the end of the Johnson premiership. And is there an internal plot against the PM? Our hosts have their own theories.Watch Lord Frost's interview with Liam: https://youtu.be/hFId3IUxH9w |Allison will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 13th January 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/01/13/lord-frost-covid-lockdowns-serious-mistake-government-needs/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Listen to I Witnessed History: www.playpodca.st/witnessed |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.

With a new year comes a new wave of cynicism on our rocket of right thinking. This week, Allison wonders why the government has made it respectable for healthy people to skive work, while Liam predicts a year of ‘political unrest’. And both co-pilots ponder the question, how much Covid testing is too much?Joining us on our Planet Normal voyage is pub owner and hospitality champion, Adam Brooks who delivers some home truths about the real effect of Covid restrictions on his venues, and shares the moving reason he's inspired to fight the good fight for hospitality.And Allison shares her surprising, but scarily realistic dream with listeners.Allison will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 6th January 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2022/01/06/planet-normal-now-pandemic-testing-not-illness/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/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? Read 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.

Parliamentary sketchwriter Madeline Grant joins Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan to give listeners the inside track on a tumultuous week in the Commons and why she believes the PM can no longer count on his own party to support further Covid measures. Plus, as The Telegraph's resident James Bond expert, she recommends her top instalment for your Christmas viewing.Also on the podcast: Liam tells us why it's not impossible you won't have heard of the next PM, Allison brings a revealing update from our NHS insider and our co-pilots agree that an election tomorrow would spell bad news for the Tories.And while Allison celebrates the return of the nation's sense of humour, we take a look back at some lighter moments from another year onboard the Planet Normal rocket.Allison will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 23rd of December: 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2021/12/23/planet-normal-quickly-have-lost-sight-right-freedom/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Read more from Madeline: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/madeline-grant |Listen to Bed of Lies: https://www.playpodca.st/bedoflies |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read 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.

Minister for Trade Penny Mordaunt beams into the Planet Normal rocket from Atlanta, Georgia, in the week where Boris Johnson suffered the most bruising rebellion of his premiership. Over 100 of her Conservative colleagues voted against his plans for Covid passports. The former Cabinet minister tells Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan why, and brings listeners the inside track on trade negotiations in post-Brexit Britain.Plus, Liam tells us why he's concerned we're seeing 'lockdown by stealth', Allison calls for the NHS to channel the vigour of the national booster campaign into testing for other diseases, and our co-pilots take a dive into 70s nostalgia - space hoppers and all. Allison will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 16th of December 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2021/12/16/planet-normal-seeing-lockdown-stealth/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Listen to Brian Moore's Full Contact: www.playpodca.st/fullcontact |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read 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.

The government's Covid 'Plan B' is here and our co-pilots have a lot of adjectives to describe it. Spoiler alert: they’re far from complimentary.Fresh from watching THAT latest press briefing, Liam thinks that the government has broken the social contract with the public and will struggle to get them to comply with the latest restrictions in light of the Christmas party scandal at No10. And, as if to prove him right, Allison declares that she has no intention of familiarising herself with the new rules. Plus boarding the flying refuge of reasoned views this week is Professor Gordon Wishart, Chief Medical Officer at Check4Cancer and Visiting Professor of Cancer Surgery at Anglia Ruskin University, who tells Allison and Liam that there's no point returning to pre-pandemic "normal" when it comes to cancer services, as they were failing before the pandemic - we must aim for "super normal”.And with a bursting mail bag on the rocket, Liam is particularly moved by one listener email.Allison will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 9th of December, 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2021/12/09/planet-normal-nations-social-contract-government-has-broken |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/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? Read 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.

Christmas. Usually heralded by snow on the ground, Christmas trees and Mariah Carey. And, it seems, a new Covid-19 variant. On this week's podcast, columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan weigh in on the latest developments and tell us why they're confident festivities mustn't take a hit, despite some scientists acting as if the UK is in the eye of the pandemic storm.Making her second trip to Planet Normal is revered Oxford University epidemiologist Professor Sunetra Gupta, who tells our co-pilots why we are ‘overplaying’ the hype around the new variant, whilst ‘undervaluing’ the power of natural immunity. And immediately Allison's blood pressure drops.Plus our co-pilots unveil a surprising Planet Normal hero of the week.Listen to the full interview with Professor Sunetra Gupta: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2021/12/02/planet-normal-shouldnt-have-panicked-omicron-ever |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Listen to Brian Moore's Full Contact: www.playpodca.st/fullcontact |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read 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.

Another seven days on Planet Normal means another ‘numpty of the week’ and this time our very own Prime Minister is a hot contender. Liam tells listeners why he thinks Boris Johnson is ‘winging it’, while Allison worries that the PM has been taking writing tips from his infant son following his recent chaotic speech at the CBI conference. But will Sir Keir Starmer's popularity surge as Boris Johnson's dwindles? Or would that be all too... normal?Also on the podcast: award-winning science writer Matt Ridley boards the rocket to tell our co-pilots why he's spent months investigating the origins of Covid-19. He tells us why swift and widespread dismissal of the Wuhan lab leak theory was a ‘shocking episode in the history of science’, and proposes his solution to see health information shared more quickly, fully and globally.Plus, the Great British Bake Off causes a stir as our co-pilots reveal who they would have crowned champion.Allison will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 25th of November 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2021/11/25/planet-normal-dismissing-wuhan-lab-leak-conspiracy-theory-shocking |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Listen to Brian Moore's Full Contact: www.playpodca.st/fullcontact |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read 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.

Everything's gone a bit pear-shaped, and it hasn't escaped the notice of Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan. With inflation above 4% and the cost of living spiralling, Liam tells listeners why he's convinced the PM is distracted by "chaos" within Tory ranks, while Allison has her head in her hands over the political class' "deflection and denial" following the distressing attack in Liverpool.Plus, never two to shy away from difficult subjects, our co-hosts welcome academic and terrorism expert Dr Rakib Ehsan aboard the rocket to share his concerns over the UK's Prevent strategy, the portrayal of Muslim people in the media and why our leaders are suffering from "bigotry of low expectations".And a particularly complimentary listener email leaves Ms Pearson blushing...Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Listen to Bed of Lies: https://www.playpodca.st/bedoflies | Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read 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.

It’s the 75th voyage to Planet Normal, but our co-pilots Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan aren't popping corks just yet. On this week's episode, they have strong words for the head of NHS England Amanda Pritchard, whose recent error on Covid admissions statistics had them putting their heads in their hands. Luckily Planet Normal's resident hospital bed occupancy expert (AKA Ms Pearson) is on hand to set the record straight. Plus, our co-hosts disagree entirely respectfully on the NHS "jab for jobs" announcement.Joining us on the rocket of right-thinking is Oxford emeritus fellow Professor Lawrence Goldman, who doesn't hold back on the problems in UK university fundraising in the wake of the Mosley money row. But it's not just Oxford accepting money from dubious sources. He tells Allison and Liam why he believes the problem is 'systemic', with institutions throwing 'academic principles and common sense out of the window'.And brace yourselves, co-pilot Halligan treats listeners to a special musical performance...Allison will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 11th of November 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2021/11/11/planet-normal-money-common-sense-uk-universities/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Listen to Bed of Lies: https://www.playpodca.st/bedoflies |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read 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.

Broadcaster and and former Director of Strategy to David Cameron, Steve Hilton makes a rare UK media appearance to tell our Planet Normal co-pilots, Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan, how his former boss was actually a Eurosceptic, what President Biden has in common with a Monty Python sketch and why things are looking good for Donald Trump in 2024.And with the spotlight on all things green this week, the Planet Normal rocket takes a virtual trip to Cop26. Allison disregards the gathering as a 'pantomime', Liam tells us why he's backing the Indian approach to net zero, and our co-pilots agree that were they attending a climate change summit, they might skip the private jet.Also on the podcast: have the charms of French President Emmanuel Macron finally worn off for Ms Pearson?Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/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? Read 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.

It’s Budget week, which means big announcements, big spending and big celebrations for Allison, who arrives for our recording with a big surprise for Liam: she’s only gone and won an award.Our co-pilot may have a trophy, but she’s got more than a few questions for our resident economist, co-pilot Halligan who is on hand to explain why he thinks Chancellor Rishi Sunak might have earned himself the nickname ’Risky Rishi’  after delivering his third Budget. But do the sums really add up?Also joining our co-pilots is Telegraph columnist Ben Wright, who tells Planet Normal why he felt as if he were watching a Labour chancellor instead of a Conservative one.And did we mention Allison won an award?Allison will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 28th of October 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2021/10/27/planet-normal-big-budget-breakdown/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Read more from Ben: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/ben-wright/ | Listen to Chopper's Politics: https://www.playpodca.st/chopper |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read 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.

Mark Francois and Andrew Rosindell pay tribute to their fellow Conservative MP and much-loved friend, Sir David Amess, following his tragic death. But should MPs' security be ramped up? Mr Francois tells our podcast co-hosts, Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan why overly zealous measures risk "letting the bad guys win", while Mr Rosindell asks why his friend never held ministerial office.Also on the podcast: with COP26 on the horizon, cold showers are in and they get an even colder response from Ms Pearson. The irony of holding a climate change summit held amid a global energy crisis isn’t lost on our co-pilot as Allison declares the Prime Minister’s latest energy plans an act of virtue signalling, while Liam encourages a smarter approach to renewable energy.And there’s a revelatory update from our NHS insider, George in the light of the recent spike in Covid infections.Allison will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 21st of October 11am-12pm:  https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/10/20/best-us-paying-tribute-sir-david-amess/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Listen to Bed of Lies: www.playpodca.st/bedoflies |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read 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.

MPs' report into the UK's early pandemic response is out – and it’s given Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan 144 pages of pause for thought. They tell listeners why it's simply not balanced on the collateral damage caused by lockdowns, and query the intentions of one of the document's authors. Elsewhere, Allison has actually read Liam’s column in order to understand what’s really going on with the energy crisis, Liam dreams of a return to the seventies and the Planet Normal rocket makes a stopover at the cinema as our co-pilots review the latest Bond film.And joining our Planet Normal rocket this week is Luke Murfitt, founder and CEO of Integrity Cleaning, who tells Liam how a diagnosis with Parkinson's aged just 34 has sped his life up rather than slowing it down, and how his business managed to double its turnover over lockdown.Allison will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 14th October 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2021/10/13/planet-normal-will-people-screaming-lockdowns-going-forward/ |Read more from Allison Pearson: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam Halligan: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Listen to Bed of Lies: www.playpodca.st/bedoflies |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read 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.

It’s Tory Conference week and Liam Halligan is camped out in Manchester, surviving on stale sandwiches and a hotel minibar, to give Allison Pearson the inside track on the party's movers and shakers. The PM’s speech may have brought the laughs but both our hosts were left wanting more: no policy announcements, barely a mention of the pandemic, and ‘gaping holes’ in his arguments. Nul points from our co-pilots.Joining them aboard the rocket this week is fellow Telegraph columnist, Philip Johnston, who has been to not one, not two but forty Conservative conferences. He tells Allison why he thinks politicians aren’t as talented as they once were, and ranks his favourite ever three MPs.Also on the show: Allison brings a revealing update from George, our NHS insider, and Liam answers the all-important question: what is stagflation?Allison will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 7th October 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2021/10/06/planet-normal-boris-johnson-complete-denial-dire-place-country/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Read more from Philip: | https:/www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/philip-johnston/ |Listen to The Telegraph's Off Script podcast: https://www.playpodca.st/offscript |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read 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.

Robert Peston, ITV News Political Editor, joins Liam Halligan and guest co-host, Claire Fox on this week’s trip to Planet Normal. Buckets and spades at the ready as the trio head to the seaside to dissect the Labour Party conference, but it’s less happy holidays and more angry hecklers at Sir Keir Starmer’s eagerly-awaited “make-or-break” speech. Liam tells listeners why the party failed to score an open goal, while Claire accuses the leader of merely “ticking boxes”. But has his time on the conference floor left him any closer to power? Our co-hosts deliver their verdicts.Also on the show: Robert Peston lays bare the state of journalism, laments the death of respectful disagreement and tells Liam why he has quite such little respect for authority. And a poetic listener impresses our co-pilots as they delve into the Planet Normal mailbag.Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Read more from Claire: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/claire-fox |Listen to The Telegraph's Off Script podcast: https://www.playpodca.st/offscript |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read 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.

Energy prices are up, universal credit is down and Waitrose is out of pitta bread. It certainly is shaping up to be the perfect storm aboard Planet Normal this week.So buckle up for turbulence as Allison declares war on the GP’s trade union, whilst Liam declares the government's green policies as ‘pie in the sky’ promises in need of a reality check.Also stowing away on the rocket of right thinking this week, is leader of Reform UK, Richard Tice who is keen to tell Allison and Liam why he now calls the Tories the ‘Con-Socialists’ and pitches his unique vision for Britain as a 'Singapore off the coast of Europe'.Plus we have a traumatising trip down memory lane for some, as our co-pilots share some listener memories of dreaded P.E lessons. You've been warned!Allison will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 23rd September 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/09/22/richard-tice-conservatives-like-con-socialists/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Listen to History Defended: www.telegraph.co.uk/history-defendedNeed help subscribing or reviewing? Read 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.

Professor of Pop Paul Gambaccini boards this week's rocket to Planet Normal, with some disquieting words for the Metropolitan Police after he signed an open letter calling for the head of the force, Cressida Dick, to be replaced in her role. In a damning interview, he tells Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan why, seven years after he was cleared of claims of sexual abuse, he feels he was used as 'human flypaper' to encourage others to make allegations against celebrities.Plus: it's straight sets and straight talking this week as our co-pilots applaud US Open winner Emma Raducanu for her poise, her grace and her lack of grunting. Our co-pilots indulge in a nostalgic trip down British sporting memory lane.And it’s not just tennis that’s holding court this week: Liam warns of an 'Autumn of discontent', Allison tells listeners why Chris Whitty has left her feeling as if she's living through Groundhog Day and both our co-pilots notice a growing sense of disillusionment with the government.Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Listen to History Defended: www.telegraph.co.uk/history-defended |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read 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.

There’s a new tax in town and it’s got Allison rather confused. But not to worry - our resident economics guru, Liam Halligan has got his nerdiest hat on to break down the newly-announced health and social care levy. He tells listeners why the move is far from a long-term solution to the social care crisis, and reveals the real reason he believes Boris Johnson has hiked taxes to their highest level since the Second World War.  This week's guest, touching down on the refuge of reasoned views, is NHS GP Renee Hoenderkamp. She tells our co-pilots why an unwarranted fear of catching coronavirus twice means too few GPs have returned to in-person care, why she just can't support Covid vaccinations for under 18s, and why on earth she chose to redo her A-Levels in her thirties.Allison will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 9th September 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2021/09/08/planet-normal-no-longer-have-conservative-government/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Listen to History Defended: www.telegraph.co.uk/history-defended |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read 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.

Allison's in the BMA's bad books. Hell hath no fury like a Pearson scorned as she shares her prescription with her podcast co-pilot, Liam Halligan for the next stage in her fight to bring back face-to-face GP appointments. Also on the show: it's the start of a new school year, but new books don't spell an end to the disruptions for our children. Liam has some disquieting words for the teaching unions ahead of the national return to the classroom.Also boarding the rocket of right-thinking, Professor Carl Heneghan, Director of Oxford University's Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine drops in to tell our co-pilots why he believes the JCVI should prioritise a vaccine booster programme for over 65s over the immunisation of under-18s - and leaves our co-pilots wishing he were their GP.Allison will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 2nd September 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2021/09/02/children-not-showing-symptoms-covid-should-stay-school-says/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/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? Read 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.

Can a pre-teen consent to a coronavirus vaccine? That's the big question Telegraph columnists Liam Halligan and Allison Pearson are grabbling with this week, after an anonymous Planet Normal listener reveals that the NHS is drawing up plans to vaccinate 12-year-olds.And as co-pilot Halligan returns from his Aegean Odyssey (AKA his annual holiday to Greece), he comes back not just with a podcast, but also with an interview with James Glancy, Army veteran turned documentary maker. James boards a first-class seat on the rocket of right thinking this week to reflect on his time serving as a Royal Marine during three tours of Afghanistan and why he thinks the ‘special relationship’ between Great Britain and the United States should be confined to the ‘dustbin of history’.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 1st July from 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/08/25/nhs-draws-plans-vaccinate-12-year-olds/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Listen to Imposters: www.playpodca.st/imposters |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read 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.

Time to pack our bags and head for Planet Normal? Horrifying events in Afghanistan leave Allison Pearson and fellow columnist and guest co-host, Tim Stanley feeling as if they've woken up in a dystopian nightmare. Allison hopes the evacuation process will start to prioritise women and children, Tim argues that withdrawing troops a decade earlier could have seen the very same outcome and both our co-pilots question President Biden’s motivations in leaving the country in the first place.Also on the podcast: parish priest and broadcaster the Reverend Canon Giles Fraser boards our rocket of right thinking and tells former Sunday school teacher Allison why the gap between a Left and Liberal Church of England and the Brexit-voting public is ‘a real problem’, and why virtual worship just doesn’t cut it.Plus: Allison shares details of a very Welsh reunion with her mother after more than 18 months, while Tim tells listeners how a recent clumsy mistake is proving rather costly.Allison will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 19th August 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2021/08/18/gap-church-england-brexit-voting-public/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Tim: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/t/tf-tj/tim-stanley/ |Listen to Hong Kong Silenced: www.playpodca.st/hongkong |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read 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.

Tim Stanley, Telegraph columnist and leader writer, joins Allison Pearson on this week’s podcast, while Captain Halligan is on his very own Aegean Odyssey (AKA a Ryanair flight to Greece). The pair award the education secretary an F for allowing top A-Level grades to be handed out to almost half of school leavers - a move our hosts agree isn’t really that generous after all - and reflect on the latest Covid confusion. Our new co-pilot is a loyal follower of Boris Johnson, but has his loyalty been shaken by 17 months of inconsistencies within his pandemic response? Not so… Tim explains all.Also on the podcast: education reformer and “Britain’s strictest headmistress” Katharine Birbalsingh lets Allison in on the real reason behind this year’s grade inflation, lays out why she thinks calls to decolonise the curriculum are “appalling” and explains why - cue groans from our younger listeners - exams must stay.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 12th August 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education-and-careers/2021/08/12/planet-normal-need-have-conversation-grade-inflation/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Tim: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/t/tf-tj/tim-stanley/ |Listen to Hong Kong Silenced: www.playpodca.st/hongkong |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read 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.

Telegraph columnists Liam Halligan and Allison Pearson are back with a bang from their holidays for another much needed trip to Planet Normal. This week Allison surprises Liam with her sudden reincarnation as a BMX expert, as both hosts celebrate the uplift in mood delivered by Team GB at the Olympic Games. Away from Tokyo, Allison adds the PM to her own 'Amber watchlist' after the government's flip flopping on travel policies, and Liam ruminates on a return of Number 10 versus Number 11 bickering this week. Also on the podcast: Dr Charles Levinson, founder of private home visit doctor service 'Doctor Call' boards the rocket of right thinking to tell our co-pilots why he thinks the public health response to the pandemic has caused more harm than the virus itself.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 5th August 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/08/05/public-policy-response-illness-has-caused-harm-illness |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Listen to Hong Kong Silenced: www.playpodca.st/hongkong |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read 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.

In the words of Alice Cooper, “School’s out for Summer”. The holidays are fast approaching but there’s no rest for our co-pilots, Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan, as Allison accuses the Left of weaponising the use of face masks, Liam predicts public finger-wagging for those choosing to ditch them, and our hosts nail their colours to the mast on the so-called “War of the Noses”.Also on the podcast: LSE behavioural scientist Professor Paul Dolan cruises into the Planet Normal atmosphere to tell listeners why the government must honour its social contract of freedom in a post-vaccine world, and why the cost of achieving zero-Covid is just too high. Plus, a particularly moving email from a Brown Owl gives our co-pilots pause for thought. Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 14th July from 11am-12pm:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2021/07/15/planet-normal-rural-areas-will-see-mask-wearing-drop-entirely/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Listen to Imposters: www.playpodca.st/imposters |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read 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.

Meet the mothers taking on the system over the way children have been sidelined in lockdown decision-making. Working mums Molly, Liz and Christine added a string to their collective bow when they were forced to become home teachers over much of 2020 - and another one when they later set up pressure group, Us for Them. It campaigns for the needs of the young to be prioritised over the pandemic and beyond. This week they board an extra large Planet Normal rocket, telling Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan why calling children ‘resilient’ is simply a means of justifying putting adults first, plus they lay out the very real effect lockdown measures have had on their own kids.Elsewhere, has the Saj been had? Liam wonders whether the ‘doom-monger scientists’ will have their way in delaying the new Health Secretary’s freedom day deadline, Allison tells us why the NHS’ George Cross victory saw her jaw drop, and a powerful interview leaves one of our co-pilots cowering in the corner of the Planet Normal capsule.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 8th July from 11am-12pm:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2021/07/08/not-enough-call-children-resilient-must-put-first/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/|Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/|Listen to Hong Kong Silenced: www.playpodca.st/hongkong |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read 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.

Good news for football fans, bad news for the former health secretary. A week of highs and lows, or highs and highs - according to our co-pilots, Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan. They tell listeners why hypocrisy is too weak a word for the actions of Mr Hancock, and Liam gives us the inside line on new health secretary, Sajid Javid’s first moves. Also on the podcast: SDP leader William Clouston boards the rocket of reason to tell listeners what sets his party apart in the much-anticipated by-election in Batley and Spen, and why he thinks the Labour Party no longer shares the values of its former voters.Warning: This episode contains a terrible impression of the current PM.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 1st July from 11am-12pm:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2021/06/30/planet-normal-matt-hancock-has-done-us-favour-exposing-westminsters/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Listen to Hong Kong Silenced: https://www.playpodca.st/hongkong |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read 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.

Freedom day has come and gone, and with little freedom restored, co-hosts Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan tell listeners why they feel a rebellion rising. Can opinion polls suggesting the country still supports lockdown be true? Not according to co-pilot Halligan, who tells us why he thinks pollsters’ leading questions are skewing the results. Meanwhile Allison impresses Liam with her newly-acquired scientific vocabulary, and ‘George’ shares some exciting news.Also visiting Planet Normal: Developmental biologist Dr Emma Hilton reflects on the announcement that weightlifter, Laurel Hubbard will become the first transgender athlete to compete at this year’s Olympic Games. She shares research suggesting the loss of muscle mass in trans women undergoing hormone treatment is ‘surprisingly’ small, and argues that being exclusive in sport is necessary for fair competition. But where do Liam and Allison stand on the transgender athlete debate? All is revealed within.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 24th June from 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2021/06/23/planet-normal-trans-athlete-debate-line-must-drawn-stealing/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ | Listen to Chopper's Politics: www.playpodca.st/chopper |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read 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.

Iain Duncan Smith is this week's Planet Normal stowaway, joining Telegraph columnists Liam Halligan and Allison Pearson to discuss the 'real danger' of annual winter lockdowns, and to tell listeners why it's time for the West to stand up to the 'desperate threat' posed by China's economy, military and ideology.Elsewhere, Freedom Day? More like Freedom Nay. Our co-pilots threaten to move to an entirely new solar system after the PM's recent announcement that June 21st is off. Allison comes close to self-combusting, while Liam tells us why he believes politicians have become 'addicted to lockdown'. Plus, a listener email has one of our hosts reaching for the tissues.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 17th June from 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/06/17/iain-duncan-smith-uk-us-must-strengthen-defences-against-desperate/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/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? Read 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.

Dr Jay Bhattacharya, Stanford medical professor and co-author of the Great Barrington Declaration boards the rocket of sweet reason this week to tell Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan why he thinks the UK government should 'declare victory and move on’ after its vaccine rollout success. The lockdown policy, he tells our co-pilots, will be viewed as the single biggest public health mistake in all of history.Elsewhere, with the sun shining Allison considers crashing the G7 Summit in Cornwall in order to have a holiday, Liam takes listeners behind the scenes at the soon-to-be-launched television channel, GB News, and our co-pilots make an impassioned case for second chances in the light of England cricket star Ollie Robinson's suspension.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 10th June from 11am-12pm:  https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/06/10/lockdowns-single-biggest-public-health-mistake-history-says/|Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Listen to Brian Moore’s Full Contact: https://www.playpodca.st/fullcontact |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read 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.

Former Head of MI6 Sir Richard Dearlove joins Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan’s rocket of right-thinking after British intelligence agencies described the Covid-19 lab leak theory as “feasible” - an idea he has long backed. In an explosive interview, Sir Richard tells listeners why China has behaved “appallingly” over the pandemic, and why he believes the US has intelligence on the origins of the virus. Plus, he has some particularly disquieting words for the WHO.Also on the show: Liam tells us why he believes Boris Johnson has had a welcome change of heart towards his scientific advisers, Allison channels her inner “Velma”, and our co-pilots defy the pandemic doom-mongers and celebrate “zero Covid day”.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 3rd June from 11am-12pm, and Telegraph subscribers can hear the full Sir Richard Dearlove interview here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/06/03/china-will-have-destroyed-proof-wuhan-coronavirus-leak-says/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Listen to Brian Moore’s Full Contact: https://www.playpodca.st/fullcontact |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read 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.

Ding Ding! It's round one in Westminster as Dominic Cummings enters the ring to unleash his blow-by-blow attack on the government's handling of the Covid pandemic - and Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan were watching. Liam struggles to stand up for his one-time lodger, Allison tells us why she thinks Matt Hancock is the real pantomime villain and they both agree that the former adviser may have delivered one too many punches.Also on the podcast: retired paediatrician and campaigner Dr Ros Jones tells our co-pilots why she's concerned politicians are jumping the gun when it comes to children and vaccines, Allison and Liam lament the UK's Eurovision Song Contest entry and one of our hosts treats listeners to a musical interlude of their own.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 27th May from 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2021/05/27/planet-normal-dominic-cummings-has-done-intellect-disservice/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ | Listen to Choppers Politics: https://www.playpodca.st/chopper |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read 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.

The doom cycle is all too much for this week's Planet Normal stowaway, Laura Dodsworth. The author and photographer has written a new book on the UK government's "weaponisation of fear" over the pandemic, and she joins Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan's rocket of reason to share her damning take on the "unethical" use of behavioural psychology over lockdown.Elsewhere on the podcast, our co-pilots celebrate a victory for common sense after Allison spearheaded a successful takedown of so-called "e-medicine", Liam proposes a solution to Britain's doctor shortage and one lucky listener wins a coveted Planet Normal mug.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 20th May from 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/05/20/life-inside-fear-factory-government-keeps-us-high-alert/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/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? Read 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.

The National Health Service or the National Covid Service? The latter, according to this week’s Planet Normal guest, Nick Stokes' whose beloved wife, Joy, was a casualty of the NHS’s transition to ’telemedecine’ after vital signs of her cancer were missed. She died just a few weeks ago. On this week's show, Nick entrusts Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan with his story, telling them how Joy was continually refused face-to-face appointments despite having suffered from the disease in the past, and why he believes the health service is guilty of a dereliction of duty. Elsewhere on the pod: Are things going south for Labour? Liam dissects what he hails as an 'astonishing' election result, particularly in the former Labour stronghold of Hartlepool, and Allison tells us why the real Opposition isn't Sir Keir Starmer, but the UK media.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 13th May from 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2021/05/11/joys-needless-death-should-cautionary-tale-gps-still-hiding/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ | Listen to Choppers Politics: https://www.playpodca.st/chopper |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read 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.

Journalist Rod Liddle joins Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan to mark fifty voyages to Planet Normal. 1.5 million downloads later, Allison has finally learnt what a podcast is. On this week's birthday rocket, Rod tells our co-pilots why "Super Thursday" isn't really so super, and what it was really like editing the Today programme at the "monolithic" BBC.Also on the show: Allison shares a glimpse into her exploding mailbox following her recent calls for GP surgeries to end virtual appointments, Liam tells listeners why he believes Sir Keir Starmer has yet to successfully forge a centre-left coalition as the country goes to the polls, and there's a birthday surprise in store for our co-hosts.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 6th May from 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2021/05/06/rod-liddle-bbc-has-monolithic-culture/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ | Listen to Bryony Gordon's Mad World: https://www.playpodca.st/madworld |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read 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.

Janet Daley, columnist for the Sunday Telegraph, plants the Stars and Stripes on Planet Normal this week. She shares her take on Biden’s first 100 days in office with fellow columnists Liam Halligan and Allison Pearson, and reveals why she thinks the United States’ lack of rooted identity is the cause of most of the country's issues today.Elsewhere, while most of the media is distracted by Number 10’s new curtains, Allison and Liam are more interested in the Post Office scandal, and they celebrate their Oscar predictions after this week's Academy Awards.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 29th April from 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/04/29/janet-daley-100-days-biden-president-doesnt-yet-know/ |Read Gordon Rayner: ‘Five reasons why June 21 won’t be the return to normal we thought’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/04/27/june-21-wont-much-return-normal-thought/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Read more from Janet Daley: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/janet-daley/ |Listen to Bryony Gordon's Mad World: https://www.playpodca.st/madworld |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read 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.

David Owen, former Foreign Secretary and one of the SDP's Gang of Four, boards a flight to Planet Normal this week. He tells Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan why he thinks it's a problem that former Prime Ministers no longer join the House of Lords and expresses his regret that the late Shirley Williams didn't acknowledge her own potential. Plus David attempts to answer a seemingly simple question posed by Liam: is Boris Johnson a ‘great’ Prime Minister?Elsewhere, they think it's all over.... it is now! And by 'it' we mean the new European Super League of course. Allison and Liam get into what that news meant to your average football fan. Plus Allison reflects on the coverage of the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral, and those powerful images of the Queen sitting alone in the chapel. Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 22nd April from 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/04/22/david-owen-many-able-women-lack-confidence-shirley-williams/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Read how the ‘George Floyd Policing Act’ could limit policing powers in the US: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/04/20/will-derek-chauvins-conviction-change-us-policing/ |Read Laura Donnelly ‘Only 32 people hospitalised with COVID after having had vaccination’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/04/20/exclusive-just-32-people-hospital-covid-vaccination/ |Listen to Bryony Gordon's Mad World: https://www.playpodca.st/madworld |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read 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.

Ray Bassett, former Irish diplomat lands on Planet Normal following some of the worst violence in Northern Ireland in decades. As one of the key architects of the Good Friday Agreement, he gives Telegraph columnists Liam Halligan and Allison Pearson the inside track on a turbulent week, and tells Planet Normal why he believes no side has truly stuck to the agreement. Plus Ray shares some disquieting words about the EU's implementation of post-Brexit border checks.Elsewhere, it's not only the weather that's frosty... Allison and Liam give a particularly cool reception to Boris Johnson’s recent attempts to credit the lockdown - and not the vaccine rollout - with a fall in UK Covid cases. Plus Allison pays a moving tribute to The Duke of Edinburgh ahead of his funeral on Saturday - and another listener scoops up a coveted Planet Normal mug for email of the week.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 15th April from 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/04/15/uk-ireland-should-strike-bilateral-deal-replace-northern-ireland/ |Sarah Knapton 'Quarter of Covid deaths not caused by virus, new figures show': https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/04/13/quarter-covid-deaths-not-caused-virus/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Listen to Bryony Gordon's Mad World: https://www.playpodca.st/madworld |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read 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.

Dr Tony Sewell, chair of the commission behind the long-awaited government report into racial disparities, boards this week's rocket to Planet Normal. He tells Telegraph columnists Liam Halligan and Allison Pearson why a desperate attempt to discredit his findings prove their veracity, and why the term 'BAME' needs to go.Elsewhere, liberation from lockdown is edging into view, but will our co-pilots have their vaccine passports ready? Liam tells listeners why he thinks Boris Johnson's current lead in the polls could rest on the matter, while Allison speaks up for Telegraph readers concerned for their freedoms, and shares a particularly moving listener email.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 7th April from 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/04/07/dr-tony-sewell-people-desperate-silence-must-saying-something/ |For 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal |Read Sarah Knapton's reporting on third wave modelling: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/04/06/government-models-warning-third-wave-based-flawed-figures-telegraph/  |Read Philip Johnston 'The chilling truth is we may never be permitted to return to normality': https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/04/06/chilling-truth-may-never-permitted-return-normality/  |Read Telegraph exclusive: 'More than a fifth of Covid deaths at some hospitals after patients caught virus on wards' https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/03/31/exclusive-fifth-covid-deaths-hospitals-infections-caught-ward/  |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Listen to Bed of Lies: https://www.playpodca.st/bedoflies |Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk |See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Golf is back, "revellers" are enjoying the sunshine and tiny specks of normality are starting to reappear. They can't come soon enough for Telegraph columnists and Planet Normal co-pilots Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan, who this week celebrate "Happy Monday", struggle to crown just one "Numpty of the Week" and award coveted Planet Normal mugs to two moving listener emails.Boarding the rocket alongside them is Professor Ellen Townsend, leader of the University of Nottingham's Self Harm Research Group. With some disquieting words for the government, she tells our co-pilots why she thinks the UK should hang its head in shame over the way children have been treated over lockdown, and why it's not always easy to be a scientist who subscribes to the Great Barrington Declaration.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 1st April from 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2021/04/01/should-hang-heads-shame-way-have-treatedchildren-lockdown/ |Complete our podcast survey here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/planet_normal_survey |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |For 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal |Listen to Bed of Lies: https://www.playpodca.st/bedoflies |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk |See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hugh Osmond, the businessman behind the Punch Taverns group lands on Planet Normal with some disquieting words about the failure of business groups to speak out for the one in ten Britons who work in hospitality. Plus, he gives Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan the inside track on his legal campaign to accelerate the sector's reopening.Also on the podcast: Allison shares exactly what was on her mind as lockdown marked a grim first anniversary, Liam tells us why he feels let down by some of his media colleagues, and (drumroll please) our co-pilots pick their listener of the week, winning a coveted Planet Normal mug.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 25th March from 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2021/03/25/business-groups-silence-lockdown-completely-pathetic-says-former/ |Read Allison's column from this time last year: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/life/lying-said-wasnt-anxious-coronavirus-have-faith-britain/ |Complete our podcast survey here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/planet_normal_survey |Listen to Chopper's Politics: https://www.playpodca.st/chopper |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read 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.

Douglas Murray, author, political commentator and associate editor of The Spectator lands on Planet Normal alongside Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan. He tells us why protests, such as the Black Lives Matter marches and recent stands against female harassment, are an inevitable consequence of lockdowns. Plus he urges Britain to take a leaf out of the French book and reject the American-born culture wars.Also on the podcast: Liam makes a strong case for the AstraZeneca vaccine, Allison tells us why heavy handed policing at the vigil for Sarah Everard ‘could not have looked worse’, and our hosts share a special announcement for regular Planet Normal listeners.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 18th March from 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2021/03/18/french-have-rejected-american-culture-wars-cant/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Read more on coronavirus transmission in hospitals: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/03/13/two-thirds-serious-covid-cases-caught-virus-hospital-start-second/ |Listen to Brian Moore’s Full Contact Rugby podcast: https://www.playpodca.st/fullcontact |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read 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.

Ben Houchen, Tees Valley Mayor lands on Planet Normal this week, as he tells Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan why Budget day was momentous for his region and why he's urging Rishi Sunak to make the entire country a freeport. Plus he reveals how he thinks the Conservative party can keep precious Red Wall seats.Also on the podcast: our hosts wonder if the pandemic has turned into a "casedemic", Liam takes issue with the lack of journalism in Harry and Meghan's Oprah interview, and Allison shares positive news about her Covid vaccination.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 11th March from 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2021/03/11/avoid-ideological-battles-do-workstees-valley-mayor-tells-tories/ |Complete our podcast survey here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/planet_normal_survey |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/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? Read 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.

Lady Carnarvon, owner of Highclere Castle, swaps "the real-life Downton Abbey" for Planet Normal. She tells our co-pilots why she thinks reopening England's heritage sites in May is too late and just how long it'll take for her company to pay back lockdown loans, plus she imagines how the Dowager Countess would handle the restrictions.Also on the podcast: Liam puts on his economist hat to dissect this week's Budget and Allison is delighted by President Macron's u-turn on giving the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine to over-65s. Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 4th March from 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2021/03/04/planet-normal-budget-has-left-uk-danger-zone/ |Complete our podcast survey here: telegraph.co.uk/planet_normal_survey |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk |Listen to Brian Moore's Full Contact: https://www.playpodca.st/fullcontact |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.

Lord Grade, former chairman of the BBC and ITV and CEO of Channel 4, dons his spacesuit to join Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan on their trip to Planet Normal. He tells us why he's cheering on Laurence Fox's anti-woke crusade, how he's fed up with journalists trying to catch the government out and why diversity of opinion is sorely lacking in the UK media.Also on the podcast: Liam makes the case for extra government funding for catch-up lessons in schools, Allison questions why the UK is in one of the world's strictest lockdowns and one of our presenters tells us why they've come to resemble Cut-Throat Jake! Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 25th February from 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/02/25/rarely-cheer-television-cheered-laurence-fox-question-time-says/|Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk |Listen to Brian Moore's Full Contact: https://www.playpodca.st/fullcontact |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.

Olympic medallist Sharron Davies MBE swaps her swimsuit for her spacesuit this week to join Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan on Planet Normal. And with the next games hanging in the balance, Sharron tells us what conditions athletes would accept to see the event go ahead, reflects on her time in the pool, and explains why she feels the rights of female athletes are being eroded.Also on the podcast: Allison sits on the fence on vaccine passports and Liam sets out why the next budget is the most important of his lifetime.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 18th February from 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/02/18/human-rights-females-trampled-olympic-swimmer-sharron-davies/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk |Listen to Brian Moore's Full Contact: https://www.playpodca.st/fullcontact |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.

Dr John Lee, former NHS consultant pathologist blasts off to Planet Normal alongside Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan. He tells listeners why he believes the cost of coronavirus lockdowns has been hugely underestimated, and urges the government to take a look at the bigger picture. There is more to life than Covid, he tells us, as our co-pilots nod heartily in agreement.Also on the podcast: Allison opens up on a very personal struggle, Liam calls for the PM to reveal the roadmap out of lockdown, and the weekend's Six Nations result causes tension between our presenters.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 4th February from 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/02/11/scientists-should-last-people-running-society-claims-pathologist/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk |Listen to Brian Moore's Full Contact: https://www.playpodca.st/fullcontact |Get 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.

The country loses a beacon of hope in Captain Sir Tom Moore, and this week Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan pay tribute to the former officer. And in the spirit of Captain Tom, they look forward and predict a bright future for the UK's vaccine rollout - if the EU doesn't attempt to derail it... again.And joining the rocket is Rod Grant, Headteacher of Clifton Hall School and Planet Normal listener, who tells us why he felt obliged to write in after seeing the devastating effect the pandemic is having on children's mental health. He tells the podcast why he's more concerned now than he's ever been over his three decades in the classroom, and proposes an alternative solution to full lockdown.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 4th February from 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/02/04/children-frightened-go-playdates-fear-someone-will-die-result/|Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk |Listen to Brian Moore's Full Contact: https://www.playpodca.st/fullcontact |Get 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal |Clip of Sir Captain Tom Moore courtesy of ITV's Piers Morgan Life StoriesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

University is the time of your life - unless you're living through a pandemic. Third-year student and listener, Lucy takes a ride in the Planet Normal rocket to tell Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan why her generation feels forgotten by the government, why she worries about her peers, and how the crisis has left her embarrassed to be a young scientist. Also on the podcast: Liam laments the reappearance of the Brexit wars in vaccine rhetoric, and Allison reveals some of our listeners' 'exotic' lockdown highlights. Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 28th January from 11am-12pm here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/2021/01/28/students-like-last-thing-governments-mind/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk |Listen to The Juggling Act: www.playpodca.st/jugglingact |Get 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.

Sir Christopher Meyer, former British ambassador to the US makes his maiden voyage to Planet Normal as Donald Trump’s presidency comes to an end. He tells Telegraph columnists, Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan why it’s high time to abandon the idea of the “special relationship” and why we haven't heard the last of Mr Trump. Plus, as a former Chairman of the Press Complaints Commission, Sir Christopher tells us why he believes Brexit divisions have seeped into the UK’s pandemic coverage.Also on the show: Allison makes the case for lockdown scepticism, Liam delves into the latest covid statistics and one of our presenters shows off their Welsh.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 21st January from 11am-12pm here:  https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/01/21/brexit-divisions-have-infected-covid-reporting-says-sir-christopher/|Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk |Listen to The Juggling Act: www.playpodca.st/jugglingact |Get 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.

Sir Graham Brady, Chairman of the 1922 Committee dons his Planet Normal spacesuit, alongside co-pilots, Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan. The MP for Altrincham & Sale West makes a strong case for easing the lockdown once the most vulnerable are vaccinated, and wonders just how happy the Prime Minister can be imposing restrictions in the first place. Also on the podcast, Allison ensures the podcast is “substantial” with the addition of a scotch egg, Liam analyses whether excess deaths may have been driven by the policy response to covid and not by the virus itself, and one of our presenters gets all riled up about their big toe (yes, really!)Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 14th January from 11am-12pm here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/01/14/lockdown-measures-ludicrous-removing-hope-public-says-leading/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk |Listen to The Juggling Act: www.playpodca.st/jugglingact |Get 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.

Commentator and author, Paul Embery joins the Planet Normal rocket alongside Telegraph columnists, Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan to discuss what he sees as the Labour Party’s big problem: losing working-class voters. Plus, you’re never more than two metres away from discussion of the lockdown on Planet Normal - Paul tells us why he thinks the latest coronavirus restrictions haven’t been subjected to enough scrutiny.Also on the podcast: Allison calculates just how few freedoms we have left, Liam makes the case for healthy discussion on alternative solutions to the UK’s covid crisis and the pair wonder if they can keep up dry January amid a deluge of bad news.Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk |Get 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.

As we say goodbye to 2020, Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan take a trip down memory lane and look back at an extraordinary year with some of our star guests that have featured on Planet Normal. From our first guest, Alan Johnson giving his verdict on schools returning after lockdown to Sir Richard Dearlove, former head of M16 telling us that he believes that coronavirus started as an accident.Also on the podcast, as we try to bring some joy at the end of a rollercoaster year, singer and actress Patti Boulaye spreads some much-needed happiness. Patti reveals how she accidentally auditioned for 'Hair' the musical, why being part of the Queen's diamond jubilee was the highpoint of her career and Patti treats us to a brief performance! Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk |Get 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normalSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bake Off host Prue Leith puts on her spaceboots to join Planet Normal this week to tell Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan why she believes older people should not be a priority for the vaccine (including herself), that she's confident the restaurant industry will bounce back, and her scandalous secret to good custard (spoiler: it involves the shop-bought stuff!)Also on the podcast: Allison and Liam discuss the reaction to the new strain of the virus, Allison reveals that you wouldn't want to mess with her when it comes to monopoly, and we listen to some of your voicemails with your New Year government policies. Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk |Get 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normalSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Former Australian diplomat, Mark Higgie joins Planet Normal this week to tell Telegraph columnists, Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan why he's got a good feeling about a Brexit trade deal, why it's inaccurate to dress 'no deal' up as 'Australian' and why he urges extreme caution in doing trade deals with China.Also on the podcast: Allison reveals how a well-placed NHS source says there is no real evidence for the whole of London to go into tier three restrictions, Liam speaks out against a potential Covid Christmas u-turn and we get an update from listener, Robert on a very happy reunion with his wife, Josephine in her care home. We're giving Planet Normal listeners the chance to feature on our Christmas podcasts. We want you to record a fifteen second voicemail message telling us why you love your trips to Planet Normal and suggesting one policy you think this government should adopt. All you need to do is call 07867 162 170 and leave a voicemail. Remember to tell us your name and where you're calling from! Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Get 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal |Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk |See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As a Brexit deal floats on thin ice, we take a dive into the fishing industry and speak to Brian Stuart from Fraserburgh in Scotland, who's been a fisherman for over two decades. Brian tells Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan why his fellow Scottish fisherman want Brexit at any cost, how they despair of the Common Fisheries Policy and why you have to be a bit mad to choose to spend your day on choppy waters!Also on the podcast, Liam explains why he thinks the vaccine is the Great Barrington Declaration in disguise, Allison feels let down by the mainstream media reporting of the pandemic and our presenters treat us to their best Maggie Thatcher impressions. Speak to Allison, Liam and your other favourite Telegraph writers by taking part in our charity phone-in. Call 0800 117 118 between 10.30am and 2.30pm on Sunday 13 December.|Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Get 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal |Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk |See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Matthew Goodwin, academic, author and Brex-pert takes his seat in the spaceship to Planet Normal, alongside Telegraph columnists and co-pilots, Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan. Professor Goodwin weighs in on why he thinks Boris Johnson urgently needs to 'reset his premiership', the very real possibility of a Labour-SNP coalition, and why he believes both Brexiteers and Remainers will blame each other for post-Brexit economic disruption.Also on the podcast: Liam laments the oncoming 'unemployment tsunami', Allison takes a stand against Christmas housework and both our hosts celebrate the Pfizer vaccine.Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Get 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal |Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk |See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Broadcaster Richard Madeley dons the spare spacesuit for this week's trip to Planet Normal. Richard tells Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan why he won't be blindly "following the science" but interrogating it, reveals why he feels let down by his profession when it comes to corona, and explains how his whole life was changed by the twist of a Rubix cube.Also on the podcast: Allison is fed up of being told that 'Christmas is saved', Liam breaks down the recent spending review and worries the economy could also suffer from 'long covid' and one of our presenters treats listeners to a festive musical interlude!Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Get 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal |Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk |See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Conservative MP, Steve Baker makes his debut Planet Normal voyage in this turbulent week in politics. As the deputy chair of the Covid Recovery Group, a group of Tory MPs against lockdowns, he tells Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan why a third lockdown could lead to an "enormous rebellion" in Parliament, why the PM must challenge SAGE more stringently and why he believes that Dominic Cummings leaving Downing Street won't impact upon Brexit. Also on the podcast: Allison queries whether now is the right time for the Government's green agenda, and Liam brings a 'Deal or No Deal' Brexit update and has a stark warning for the PM if he neglects the Red Wall voters that won him the last election.Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Get 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal |Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk |See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

An extra special passenger in the Planet Normal rocket this week, as Telegraph columnists, Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan are joined by anonymous NHS GP and Planet Normal listener, 'Clare'. She explains how she feels the NHS is more the National Covid Service these days, how lockdown measures have tragically left some of her patients as "suicides waiting to happen", and why she thinks Matt Hancock could do with spending a day in her shoes.Also on the podcast: Allison and Liam rejoice at news a vaccine is on the horizon, gawp over the amount of money growing on the government's 'Magic Money Tree' and Allison laments her hometown of Wales cancelling 2021 school exams and warns England not to follow suit.Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Get 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal |Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk |See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan don their pilot gloves and make the voyage to Planet Normal, where they give their verdict on a bumpy week on both sides of the Atlantic. Lockdown returns in England, the US election keeps everyone guessing and Allison shares a positive update following last week's interview with Planet Normal listener, Robert, who had been separated from his wife, Josephine for months because of care home lockdown rules.Taking the passenger seat in our rocket of sanity this week is former Telegraph editor and author, Charles Moore. Fresh from the paperback publication of the third instalment of his biography of Margaret Thatcher, Charles reveals what Mrs Thatcher would have thought of Brexit and the lockdown. Plus, he admits he thinks the biggest problem in the fight against covid-19 is the NHS itself, and weighs in on the new BBC Director General, following speculation he was Number 10's top choice to become Chairman.Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Read the ONS Covid statistics - as mentioned in the podcast: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/conditionsanddiseases  |Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Get 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal |Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk |See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Every now and then, Planet Normal goes back to its roots and speaks to... a normal person. So joining Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan in the rocket this week is listener Robert, whom regulars will know as the man whose letter brought us all to tears.He wrote to Planet Normal about not being able to visit his beloved wife, Josephine in her care home due to lockdown rules. He tells Allison that while he and Jo have recently celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary, their relationship almost ended after a snowball fight many years ago, and why he's now calling for ministers to start thinking more about older citizens when considering restrictions. So Allison and Liam join Robert in asking "Do you Care Minister?" of Care Minister Helen Whately, and demand answers for the thousands of Roberts and Josephines kept apart. Plus, Liam calls for some schools to stay open during the holidays and Allison supports the naked shoppers in South Wales!Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Listen to The Trump Card: https://www.playpodca.st/trump |Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Get 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal |Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk |See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Buckle your seatbelts, Planet Normal is set to blast off for another week with it's esteemed pilots, Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan. This week we discuss how some Northern leaders are raring to tell the PM to sod off if he imposes more restrictions in their areas, Allison gives her reaction to the latest lockdown in her hometown (she's not happy folks!) and Liam thinks coronavirus could have a surprising positive impact on Brexit trade talks.Joining the voyage this week is chairman of JCB, Lord Anthony Bamford. The businessman joins us to talk about the 75th anniversary of the firm, the exciting green future of the humble digger, and his verdict on how Boris Johnson is handling the pandemic.Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Listen to The Trump Card: https://www.playpodca.st/trump |Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Get 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal |Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk |See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hold onto your helmets, it's another explosive week for Planet Normal, where Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan discuss their fears for tiers, shed light on some underreported positive coronavirus survival stats and how Liam almost abandoned us for Number 10. And filling the passenger seat this week is former BBC star and broadcasting legend Sue Cook. The former Crimewatch and Nationwide presenter airs her disappointment at the BBC’s pandemic coverage, why she now struggles to defend the license fee and shows off her stellar Welsh accent to Planet Normal’s resident Welshwoman.Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Listen to The Trump Card: https://www.playpodca.st/trump |Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Get 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal |Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk |See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sit tight, it's another bumpy journey to Planet Normal. This week, Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan call out the government for failing to excel (see what we did there?) with Test, Track and Trace, interrogate how to cancel the cancel-culture invading UK universities, and debate whether BoJo's mojo has returned. Plus, Allison argues her case to be both Velma and Daphne, thank you very much. Buckling into the passenger seat this week is writer Helen Pluckrose. Helen is the co-author of a new book, Cynical Theories, which looks at how wokeness is ruining academia and seeping out into the wider world. She discusses how she fears this agenda will hurt those it claims to protect, and why it's more important than ever to acknowledge that Britain isn't systemically racist.Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Listen to The Trump Card: https://www.playpodca.st/trump |Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Get 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal |Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk |See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Buckle in, it’s been a news-laden week. On today’s podcast: Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan commiserate the lads and lassies of Newcastle for having to stay at home, bemoan fat-cat University Chancellors, and struggle to read one heartbreaking listener email. Plus you asked, we listened - this week's guest is lockdown-sceptic and listener favourite Ivor Cummins. He accuses world leaders of "walking away from the science", muses about imaginary tigers (yes, really) and tells us why we ought to sit up and listen to him - even though he's not an epidemiologist. Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Listen to The Trump Card: https://www.playpodca.st/trump |Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Get 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal |Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk |See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What a week! Time to grab your space helmets and head to Planet Normal, and joining you in the rocket today is Oxford University epidemiologist, Professor Sunetra Gupta. Fresh from a meeting with the PM, she tells Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan why the government was wrong to base the lockdown on worst-case scenario modelling, why this is only a "third division" pandemic and why she wonders if her views would win her less flak were she a white man...Plus Allison tells Liam why she's rejoicing at the news that her son has the virus, and the pair debate whether Keir Starmer can really win back the Red Wall after a powerful speech at this week's Labour Conference.Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Get 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal |Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk |See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

... or you'll cry. This week Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan are joined by a man whose raison d'être is to get the country smiling. Geoff Norcott, one of the UK's only vocally Right-wing comedians, tells Planet Normal why the BBC's pledge towards diversity of opinion might prove futile, why the "woke" musn't be exempt from comedy and why he would never apologise for a joke.Also on the podcast: Allison and Liam weigh up whether Victoria Wood's comedy would fall victim to so-called "cancel culture" and the pair find a cunning loophole to make their Christmases Covid-compliant.Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |"The UK has to defend itself against predatory diplomacy, deal or no deal" - Ambrose Evans-Pritchard: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2020/09/13/uk-has-defend-against-predatory-diplomacy-deal-no-deal/ |Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Get 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal |Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk |See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The lockdown rules are changing and Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan aren't happy about it. On today's show, Allison asks what on earth has happened to the country's "Blighty not frighty" spirit, Liam chastises Matt Hancock for his doom-laden language, plus, they deliberate the three Bs - Brexit, the backstop and Brad Pitt.Also on the podcast: this week’s guest and former Supreme Court judge Lord Jonathan Sumption pulls on his space boots and tells Planet Normal listeners why he thinks the government is trying to avoid public scrutiny and why he believes Extinction Rebellion is "verging on facism".Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Listen to the Telegraph's Chopper's Politics podcast: https://www.playpodca.st/chopper |Get 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal |Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk |See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The BBC is making the headlines for all the wrong reasons, and Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan have something to say about it. On today’s podcast, Allison tells us why she feels as if she’s in a toxic relationship with the broadcaster, Liam weighs in the corporation’s “mini moral lectures” and the pair agree that BBC comedy needs to stop using Donald Trump as a punchline.Plus, this week’s guest and long-time Editor of the Jewish Chronicle, Stephen Pollard buckles up his spacesuit and tells Planet Normal listeners the real reason why he believes Britons are increasingly embarrassed by their nationality and why much government criticism over its handling of the pandemic just isn't fair.Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Get 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal |Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk |See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Financier Dame Helena Morrissey dons her spacesuit to join Telegraph columnists, Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan on their latest voyage to Planet Normal. The founder of The 30% Club talks about the pandemic's ambiguous effect on women in the workplace, why staying silent over Brexit wasn't an option, and why we need a "burning of the red tape" to save the economy. Plus, she tells us why you won't catch her in a fashionable face mask.Also on the show: Liam and Allison weigh in on face covering in schools and take part in a rousing sing-a-long (brace yourselves). Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Save 50% on your Telegraph subscription in our summer sale: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal |Listen to the Telegraph's Chopper's Politics podcast: https://www.playpodca.st/chopper |Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk |See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Davis MP is Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan's latest passenger as they blast off to Planet Normal. The Tory veteran talks about whether the A-Levels U-turn will be this government's poll tax moment, says don’t need to be “world leading”, we just need to be competent when it comes to coronavirus, and that the Cabinet would have benefitted from more experience in hindsight. Plus, a glimpse behind the scenes of the rows that caused him to step down as Brexit secretary. Allison and Liam also talk exams, and whether "Gav has to go", and hear about home-made explosives and Starsky and Hutch inspired car chases in your Health and Safety stories. Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearsonRead more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halliganDo you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/Listeners can get 30 days' free access to the Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normalListen to the Telegraph's Chopper's Politics podcast: https://www.playpodca.st/chopperEmail: planetnormal@telegraph.co.ukSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nigel Farage buckles up to join the Telegraph's Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan on their weekly voyage to Planet Normal. Never one to hold back, Mr Farage accuses the French navy of being a taxi service for immigrants, warns the Prime Minister that he's at risk of losing Middle England, and declares the Cabinet a bunch of "kids with rich daddies". Plus, Liam welcomes Allison back after her well-earned break with a chat about exam results (don't mention the D in O-level Maths...), and the pair weigh up who would get the top job in a Planet Normal fantasy Cabinet. Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/Listeners can get 30 days' free access to the Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normalListen to the Telegraph's Chopper's Politics podcast: https://www.playpodca.st/chopperEmail: planetnormal@telegraph.co.ukSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Broadcaster Iain Dale hops into the passenger seat to join the Telegraph's Liam Halligan and guest co-pilot Kate Hoey on this week's voyage to Planet Normal. Iain tells Liam why he's been known to shame people for rudeness on social media, how he suffers from imposter syndrome, and why he's written a book about listening to the other side of the debate.Plus, Kate and Liam discuss why it's hard to talk about immigration and how Liam's the only person from last week's episode not to have been awarded a peerage. Plus the pair reminisce over the time Liam played bus driver to his co-host in Northern Ireland...Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/Listeners can get 30 days' free access to the Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normalListen to the Telegraph's Audio Football Club podcast: www.playpodca.st/afcEmail: planetnormal@telegraph.co.ukSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For the next two weeks former MP Kate Hoey steps into Allison Pearson's space-boots to join Liam Halligan as co-pilot to Planet Normal. Their guest this week is former MEP and director of the Institute of Ideas, Claire Fox, who tells Liam that there is a war on history led from the top, that the BBC is the now the "woke" channel and how she bruises after social media showdowns. Plus, Kate and Liam discuss the government announcing that people will have to quarantine after returning from Spain, identity politics and racism within football, and of course, Nando's.  Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/Do you need some help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/Listeners can get 30 days' free access to the Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normalListen to the Telegraph's Chopper's Politics podcast: www.playpodca.st/chopperEmail: planetnormal@telegraph.co.ukSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Planet Normal goes back to its roots and speaks to... a normal person. This week it’s brave district nurse and Planet Normal listener, Holly, who tells Telegraph columnists, Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan about the horrors of treatments delayed over the coronavirus crisis: a devastating move she thinks will cause more deaths than the pandemic itself. Plus, she reveals how care homes were “bullied” into taking patients with suspected Covid-19 and why some health workers used the pandemic as an excuse to stay home. Also on the podcast: Allison and Liam reflect on Boris Johnson’s tumultuous first year as PM, the real reason teachers were among the public sector workers to receive a pay rise, and why former Speaker of the Commons, John Bercow, won’t be invited on the show anytime soon.Telegraph subscribers can listen to Holly’s full interview: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/07/23/people-treatable-cancers-will-die-due-government-scaremongering/Read The Sunday Telegraph interview with Boris Johnson: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2020/07/18/boris-johnson-exclusive-interview-will-not-need-another-national/Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/Do you need some help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/Listeners can get 30 days' free access to the Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normalListen to the Telegraph's Chopper’s Politics podcast: https://www.playpodca.st/chopperEmail: planetnormal@telegraph.co.ukSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Entrepreneur Luke Johnson is Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan's latest guest to blast off to Planet Normal. The man behind Pizza Express and Gail's Bakery tells Allison why the government's only effective lockdown policy has been 'Project Fear', how the High Street will have to get creative to survive, and reveals what other captains of industry are telling him behind closed doors.Plus, Allison and Liam respectfully disagree over face masks, discuss the government's 'My way or the Huawei' ruling, and enjoy more of your 'elf and safety tales. Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/Do you need some help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/Listeners can get 30 days' free access to the Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normalListen to the Telegraph's Audio Football Club podcast: https://www.playpodca.st/afcEmail: planetnormal@telegraph.co.ukSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trevor Phillips, broadcaster, writer and former chairman of the Equalities and Human Rights Commission, is Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan's latest castaway to Planet Normal. The former Labour candidate for London Mayor tells Liam why guilt obscures media coverage of racial issues, how he knows what it's like to be randomly stopped by the police, and why he believes parts of the Labour Party just don't care about winning elections.Plus, Allison and Liam discuss the devastating knock-on effect of lockdown on cancer treatments, Rishi Sunak's mini-Budget or "big Economic enchilada", and enjoy listeners' stories of a time before health and safety, featuring a homemade army tank!Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/Listeners can get 30 days' free access to the Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normalListen to the Telegraph's Chopper's Politics podcast: https://www.playpodca.st/chopperEmail: planetnormal@telegraph.co.ukSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Shaun Bailey, Conservative candidate for London Mayor, touches down on Planet Normal, alongside Telegraph columnists, Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan. The former Special Advisor to the PM tells Allison why we're in for a "summer of discontent", why Labour hasn't been able to curb London's knife crime crisis and how speaking out against the Left as a black person is seen as an act of bravery. Oh - and how he found love over a Müller Corner...Plus, Allison and Liam lament Leicester's second lockdown and question whether a Wimbledon-style queueing system is the way to get Britain back to the pub. Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/Listeners can get 30 days' free access to the Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normalListen to the Telegraph's Chopper's Politics podcast: https://www.playpodca.st/chopperEmail: planetnormal@telegraph.co.ukSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Former Governor of the Bank of England, Lord Mervyn King, is the co-pilot on Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan's fifth orbiting of Planet Normal.He tells us why he believes no-deal Brexit scaremongering was an attempt to reverse the referendum result, how quantitative easing isn't always the answer, and why politicians should admit to changing their minds.Plus, Allison and Liam mourn the simplicity of a pre-Covid pint in the pub, childhood in a time before Health and Safety (hand grenades anyone?!) and their battle with the dreaded "Quarantine Fifteen". Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/Listeners can get 30 days' free access to the Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normalListen to the Telegraph's Audio Football Club podcast: https://www.playpodca.st/afcEmail: planetnormal@telegraph.co.ukSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Novelist Lionel Shriver buckles up to join Telegraph columnists, Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan for their fourth trip to Planet Normal. She tells us why her political views lose her both friends and awards, and why today’s literature fails to pique her interest.Plus, Allison and Liam weigh in on the footballer who took on the government and won, Marcus Rashford, why the reopening of schools should be “obligatoire” and they reveal who was "leader of the pack" during their Scout and Guides days. Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/Listeners can get 30 days' free access to the Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normalListen to the Telegraph's Audio Football Club podcast: https://www.playpodca.st/afcEmail: planetnormal@telegraph.co.ukSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's what feels like week number 582 of lockdown, and it's trip number three to Planet Normal. This week, Telegraph columnists, Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan blast off into a lively debate on what they'd like to do to a statue of Gavin Wiliamson and whether theme parks could possibly be safer than schools.Plus renowned oncologist, Professor Karol Sikora weighs in on why he wants the nation to "unwash" their brains of fear, and he submits to the ultimate black hole: a war of words with Piers Morgan.Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/Listeners can get 30 days' free access to the Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normalListen to the Telegraph's daily coronavirus podcast: www.playpodca.st/coronavirusEmail: planetnormal@telegraph.co.ukSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan's second trip to Planet Normal, former Head of MI6 Sir Richard Dearlove tells Allison why he believes the coronavirus started as an accident after it escaped from a Chinese lab, how organised intelligence activities at British universities aren't merely the stuff of spy novels and why he's ticked off with George Osborne. Telegraph subscribers can listen to the explosive full interview here: https://bit.ly/2U6hxcQListeners can get 30 days' free access to the Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normalListen to the Telegraph's daily coronavirus podcast: www.playpodca.st/coronavirusEmail: planetnormal@telegraph.co.ukSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Telegraph columnists, Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan take their first trip to Planet Normal, a space for shrewd political analysis from a distinctly “down-to-earth” perspective.This week, Allison struggles to defend Dominic Cummings, Liam reveals why the Prime Minister’s most senior advisor once slept on his floor and former Home Secretary, Alan Johnson weighs in on the reopening of schools - with some disquieting words for teachers’ unions.Listeners can get 30 days' free access to the Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normalListen to the Telegraph's daily coronavirus podcast: www.playpodca.st/coronavirusEmail: planetnormal@telegraph.co.ukSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.