Planet Normal

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

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

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

It's full-contact battle as Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak face off to become the next Prime Minister. So who better to join our co-pilots on the rocket of right thinking than Dame Andrea Leadsom, campaign manager for former front runner Penny Mordaunt, and a one-time Tory leadership contender herself. Dame Andrea takes aim at political 'black ops' and says it's painful to see candidates publicly 'taking lumps out of each other.'Co-pilot Pearson predicts that Liz Truss will be the one to cinch victory. But Allison is concerned about the effect that a Truss premiership could have on maintaining the red wall.Liam agrees that Sunak might lose out to Truss, arguing that his lack of political experience is coming to the fore and suggesting the former Chancellor shouldn't have run for leader at such an early point in his career.And our listeners have their say on who they think should be the future leader of the country…Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/a/ak-ao/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Read Andrea Leadsom's ‘Snakes and Ladders’: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Snakes-and-Ladders/dp/178590700X |Listen to Chopper’s Politics: Listen to Chopper's Politics: https://www.playpodca.st/chopper |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Learn more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk |For 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal | See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

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

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

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

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

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