Planet Normal

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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