Planet Normal

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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