Planet Normal

Fresh from a shock elimination in the Tory leadership race, your co-pilots deliver their verdict on the latest results from the now two horse race. And did co-pilot Pearson really influence the result?One year on from the shocking 7th October attack in Israel, the rocket reflects on Allison’s recent dispatch to Israel and welcomes Brendan O’Neill into the cockpit. Brendan’s new book ‘After the Pogrom: 7 October, Israel and the Crisis of Civilisation’ describes how he believes the West failed in their actions following the events in Israel.Your co-pilots also share an exciting announcement about an upcoming event and Bob the Bard returns…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: ‘Not one girl could be shown to her parents’: The horrors of Oct 7 – as told by the survivors’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/10/05/oct-7-israel-survivors-stories-state-of-the-nation/ |Read Allison: ‘Hamas murdered my sister and her husband – but we will give their babies a normal life’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/10/06/oct-7-attack-orphan-twins-guy-roi-adoptive-parents/ |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 |Planet Normal listeners can get 20% off tickets to the Battle of Ideas Festival by putting the code PLANETNORMAL24 into the Promo code section of the ticket page – accessible through https://www.battleofideas.org.uk/battle-of-ideas-festival-tickets-2024/ | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The rocket beams in live from the Tory Party Conference in Birmingham this week and there’s no shortage of melodrama to dissect as the Party gears up to elect its new leader.Fastening their seat belt alongside your co-pilots this week is leadership contender and previous stowaway, Robert Jenrick MP for Newark, who shares his hopes for the party should he win the contest.Liam gives the rocket the inside scoop from the conference as the race for Leader of the Opposition aka the conservative ‘beauty contest’ reaches its final straight.And Allison shares a stark warning about the potential dangers of lithium batteries on solar farms.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’ve seen how Ed Miliband’s net zero dream turns into a nightmare. It will destroy Britain’:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/10/01/ed-milibands-net-zero-dream-will-destroy-britain/ |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.

**Some of Alison's reporting contains descriptions you may find distressingWith Conference season in full swing, what do your co-pilots make of the PM’s latest speech slip up at the Party’s Conference?Liam thinks Starmer’s speech failed to set the room alight as much as previous Labour PM Tony Blair would have done.And Allison shares some moving observations from her recent trip to Israel.Also strapping into the cockpit this week is Chairman of Reform UK, Zia Yusuf, who explains the Party’s plans to create the most formidable political ground campaign in the country, by the next general election.And finally there’s an eagerly anticipated weight loss update from both 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/ |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.

Strapping into the rocket of right thinking this week for a Planet Normal exclusive is Tory leadership hopeful Tom Tugendhat who shares the reasons why he thinks he can carry the party back to power in five years, and why he wants to get the selection process completed as soon as possible to lead an effective opposition.Whilst co-pilot Pearson is doing some on the ground reporting in Israel, temporary co-pilot Nick Timothy steps into the cockpit.On the agenda Nick ponders whether Health Secretary Wes Streeting has the ‘walk’ to match the ‘talk’ that the NHS so desperately needs to reform. Whilst Liam expresses some concerns at some of the economic narratives coming from the Labour Party ahead of the Autumn Statement.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/ |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.

Autumn is slowly coming into view on the rocket of right thinking and the words on everyone’s lips are ‘winter fuel payments’.Labour won their round in the Commons but your co-pilots aren’t impressed with the party’s latest policy decisions.The Chancellor claims this decision is for the good of the economy, however Liam thinks that it doesn’t match up with the economy’s recent growth rate. Whilst Allison thinks the Chancellor is in danger of appearing ‘dalek like’ in the run up to the Autumn statement.And there’s an exciting stat of the week from Velma…And strapping in with a ‘clunk, click’ to give his take on the electric vehicle push, is CEO of Vertu motors, Robert Forrester, and why he thinks the UK just isn’t ready…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.

It’s back to school and back to parliament so the co pilots have their news notes at the ready!Your co-pilots discuss the Tory leadership vote and analysis from the Phase 2 Grenfell Inquiry report. Liam places previous rocket stowaway Kemi Badenoch as a favourite to take over the Conservative party whereas Allison thinks the party needs to capitalise on Labour’s current position and elect a stronger more right leaning leader.Safely strapped in the rocket this week, to bring expert insight into the Grenfell Tower tragedy, is Former Chief of Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Iain Cox.And Allison spills the beans on her new weight loss ‘miracle’.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 miracle weight-loss jab has changed my life and will change the world’ : https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/09/04/mounjaro-weight-loss-jab-changed-my-life/ |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 co-pilot Pearson makes a triumphant return to the rocket, sunkissed and well rested, there is no short of madness orbiting the rocket. But has the UK really gone back to the 70s?Allison thinks the PM’s Rose Garden speech was ‘tone deaf’ and with things only set to get worse, in the words of the PM, co pilot Halligan delivers some sobering economic predictions for the upcoming budget.Strapping into the cockpit this week is Director of the Free Speech Union, Toby Young who gives his take on the incoming government and why social media is not to blame for the recent riots in the UK.And there’s a triumphant return from Velma.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.

As co-pilot Pearson circles Heathrow waiting for clearance to land, Liam is joined by Planet Normal Cosmonaut Supreme, Baroness Claire Fox.There's been much madness to dissect since the rocket's last orbit. How is the new Labour government handling the Summer chaos?Claire is frustrated that the Tory leadership contest seems to be leaving the country without a strong opposition and that it might leave the Conservatives unable to challenge the Labour party.Whilst Liam is optimistic that new Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, has the potential to pull off the reform the National Health Service needs to get back on track.Stowing away on the rocket this week is author and Conservative Peer, Jon Moynihan who expresses his concern at Labour’s economic policies, saying they won’t create growth by ‘just cutting wages’.And there is a delve into the fumbling Planet Normal mailbag which is overflowing from the recent Summer break…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 more from Jon: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2024/08/18/uk-economy-growth-social-democracy-bankrupt-conservative/ |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 summer comes to a close on Planet Normal, in this the third and final of the three 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 March, the co-pilots interviewed author and filmmaker Martin Durkin about his latest film Climate The Movie - The Cold Truth. The film takes issue with what he calls ‘climate alarmism’ - a trend which, Durkin says, does not reflect scientific reality.And finally, in April, Liam interviewed Tory Peer Dr Tony Sewell. Dr Sewell Chaired the committee which produced the highly-influential 2021 report of the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities. He joined the rocket of right thinking for a return mission again to discuss his new book Black Success.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.

Summer continues on Planet Normal! In this, the second of the three 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 January Liam interviewed legendary former frontman of The Undertones, turned water campaigner, Feargal Sharkey.As well as discussing the state of the UK’s waterways Liam and Feargal also discussed relations between Ireland and the UK post Brexit, as well as his colourful musical career.Then, in May, just as the general election campaign was getting started Liam also spoke to Labour MP, and women’s rights advocate, Rosie Duffield.As an MP who has received abuse from some of  her own colleagues for questioning trans self-identification, Rosie explains how she felt about being a member of the Labour Party after such a backlash.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.

Joining Liam for a very special Planet Normal exclusive interview is the front-runner in the race to succeed Rishi Sunak as Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch.Fresh from announcing her bid, the MP for North West Essex joins Liam to discuss immigration, trade deals and how she thinks she can take the party forwards as leader of the opposition.Also joining them is former Tory MP for Bournemouth Conor Burns who discusses his experience in light of the recent bullying allegations against Kemi.Watch full length video with Kemi: https://youtu.be/kTmXlNHheXoRead more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Read: Kemi Badenoch Interview https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/08/02/kemi-badenoch-interview-integration-tory-leadership/ |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.

It’s summer on Planet Normal so in this the first of the three 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 January, just after the realities of the Post Office Scandal had come to the fore courtesy of a hard-hitting ITV drama, Allison spoke to an anonymous insider from Fujitsu, the Japanese company that designed and managed the Horizon online accounting system that had caused so many problems for Post Office Sub-Postmaster trying to balance their books.“Robin” - not their real name - worked at Fujitsu in the mid 2000s and filled Allison in on what they experienced.And then, in April, Planet Normal listeners were joined by former Home Secretary Suella Braverman who told us about the barriers she faced when trying to tackle the surge in UK immigration - and her frustration with then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.Two very revealing interviews!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.

The rocket blasts off for a final voyage before its summer break but there’s no shortage of madness to navigate before then.What did your co-pilots make of Keir Starmer’s first outing at Prime Minister’s Questions? Not to mention the political developments from across the pond..Allison isn’t impressed with the front runners in the Conservative party leadership contest. Nor the Labour party’s two child benefit cap which Liam believes the implications of which could potentially hamper growth.Strapping into the cockpit again as the rocket streams towards the Olympics is former professional swimmer and Olympian Sharron Davies who drops by to discuss her book in the build up to the celebration of sporting excellence.And Allison shares some worrying observations from her recent trip to A and E.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 Soviet A&E ordeal shows there’s no compassion left in the dead-eyed NHS’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2024/07/23/no-compassion-left-in-the-nhs/ |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.

Joining Liam in the cockpit this week for a very special extended interview is Professor Matthew Goodwin. As the rocket blasts into a new political era with a Labour government at the helm, Matthew explains why he thinks Keir Starmer’s party could be unpopular very quickly, and debates with Liam how the Conservative Party could pull back a vital share of voters that they lost to Reform UK.Our popular analyst also gives his take on the political antics happening across the pond, and why he thinks Donald Trump is in an especially strong position, more so after the assassination attempt on him.There’s also time for co-pilot Halligan to have a brief burrow in the Planet Normal mailbag.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/ |Subscribe to Matthew’s substack here: https://substack.com/@mattgoodwin |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.

After a Labour landslide win (as predicted by your co-pilots) the rocket orbits into a new political galaxy, but is it the same old madness?Allison delivers some hard truths to the Conservative party whom she thinks deserve ‘oblivion’ should they fail to come to the ‘correct conclusion’ on their new leader.Whereas Liam thinks the Tories need to take their time when deciding their next leader and think carefully about the rules of the contest.Joining your co-pilots on the rocket this week is former advisor to the Labour Party, John McTernan, who gives his take on the incoming Labour government and why he thinks their new Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, might need to think about bending some fiscal rules…And there’s a very inspired email from one 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/ |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.