A Cacophony Of Woe Planet Normal podcast

1:10:10

Following nationwide power outages in Spain and Portugal on Monday this week, co-pilots Pearson and Halligan don their spacesuits to take a deeper dive into net zero pledges and realities. And as migrant numbers on channel crossings hit 10,000, Allison celebrates a push back on ‘liberal pieties’ and sees migration as the number one concern in the UK. Taking a return trip on the rocket, historian and author Owen Matthews joins Liam to discuss the war in Ukraine, how much longer he thinks Putin will hold out and the thorny issue of Crimea. Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ | Read Liam: ‘Reeves needs to ditch her net zero delusions for Britain’s sake’ https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/04/27/rachel-reeves-needs-ditch-net-zero-delusions/ | Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/a/ak-ao/allison-pearson/ | Read Allison: ‘To all those about to lose to Reform: it’s immigration, stupid’ https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/04/29/reform-is-a-force-to-be-reckoned-with-its-immigration/ | 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.…

Planet Normal

1
Weak Starmer’s week of silence on women ruling 59:24

11 days ago59:24

59:24

This week your co-pilots bring you a podcast exclusive with the Leader of The Opposition, Kemi Badenoch, who gives her take on Prime Minister, Keir Starmer’s, vote of support for last week’s Supreme Court verdict. Both co-pilots are troubled by the PM’s statement, with co-pilot Pearson adamant he should apologise to the women of Britain. Co-pilot Halligan also turns his eyes to the upcoming Local Elections on May 1st. Could Reform UK sneak past Labour and the Conservatives for surprise gains? And there’s no shortage of tax and tariff talk as the economic woes rumble on. 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: ‘If Starmer had any shame he would have resigned after Supreme Court ruling’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/04/22/starmer-championed-dangerous-fantasy-men-called-women/ | 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.…

Planet Normal

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Tears of joy as Supreme Court rules on ‘women’ definition 56:48

18 days ago56:48

56:48

Co-pilot Pearson is back in her rightful place at the helm of the rocket, hurrah! She’s just in time to deliver her verdict on the Supreme Court’s unanimous ruling that the terms ‘sex’ and ‘woman’ in the 2010 Equality Act referenced biological sex rather than acquired gender. And co-pilot Halligan gives his observations as a male observer of such a female focused campaign. Also strapping into the rocket as a passenger on this pre-Easter voyage is Chief Executive Officer of Ducati, the Italian motorbike makers, Claudio Domenicali who explains more about the impact of tariffs on his industry. And Allison’s been on a cruise… 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.…

Planet Normal

1
Talking tough on tariffs 1:04:17

25 days ago1:04:17

1:04:17

This episode was recorded before president Trump announced a pause on some tariffs. With co-pilot Pearson taking a well earned break, Tim Stanley steps into the cockpit as a trusted controller of the rocket and there’s certainly no shortage of tariff talk to get through… Liam thinks President Trump is acting like a ‘unipolar president’ whereas Tim Stanley thinks there is a method to Trump’s madness, but how long can the World’s economy hold on for? Hopping onto the rocket for a return mission this week is Economist Catherine McBride who delivers some truths about what’s really going on with US trade tariffs and what it means for the rest of the world. And there is a bulging Planet Normal mailbag to contend with… 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 heard the full story of the woman jailed for two years for a tweet. Her injustice shames Britain’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/04/04/lucy-connolly-southport-riots-axel-rudakubana-taylor-swift/ | Read Tim : ‘ Labour loves holding consultations and creating action groups but they largely result in cuts’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/04/08/labour-loves-action-groups-tangibles-government-cuts/ | 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.…

Planet Normal

1
Rachel’s bottomless bucket of woe 1:16:41

5 weeks ago1:16:41

1:16:41

It’s a new month with the same old madness on Planet earth, with rises in capital gains tax, council tax, energy fees and transport costs, April Fool’s is feeling all too close to home… Is there another ‘bucket of woe’ for Chancellor Rachel Reeves and will there be more tax rises on the horizon to plug the public finances? This week’s Planet Normal stowaway is Conservative councillor, Ray Connolly, who discusses his family’s experience after his wife, Lucy, was jailed over a tweet she briefly posted on the day three girls were killed in Stockport. And your co-pilots weigh in on the political drama from across the Channel. Is there a new French boyfriend on the horizon for Allison? 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 White House is right: freedom of speech is under threat in Britain like never before’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/04/01/starmers-britain-trump-free-speech/ | 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.…

Planet Normal

1
Spring Statement Special 1:02:12

6 weeks ago1:02:12

1:02:12

As Chancellor Rachel Reeves unveils her first ‘Spring Statement’ your co-pilots are joined on the rocket by not one but TWO very special incumbents. Calculators and spreadsheets at the ready… Co-pilot Pearson is less than impressed with what she calls the ‘nothing to do with me guv', Budget. Stowaway economist Roger Bootle was both ‘depressed’ and 'amazed’ by the Statement but reveals an overwhelming feeling that the Labour Party aren’t actually doing anything all that bad… And after watching the Budget co-pilot Halligan is concerned the Labour front bench is lacking in business and economic knowledge. Also on the podcast, Mike Calvey straps in for a very special interview to discuss his new book ‘Odyssey Moscow’ which details his harrowing ordeal as a prisoner of the Russian State. And co-pilot Pearson has won an award… 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 Roger: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/r/rk-ro/roger-bootle/ | Read Allison: ‘If Rachel Reeves were Conservative she’d have been turfed out long ago’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03/25/if-reeves-were-conservative-shed-have-been-turfed-out/ | Buy Mike’s book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Odyssey-Moscow-Westerners-Encounter-Russian/dp/1803997303 | 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.…

Planet Normal

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The Burgeoning Benefits Bill 1:13:40

7 weeks ago1:13:40

1:13:40

As Prime Minister Keir Starmer strays further Right in his policy decisions on defence spending and benefit cuts, your co-pilots strap into the rocket once more to journey into the madness orbiting Planet Earth. Are Labour finally talking sense when it comes to reforming the welfare system? After breaking down the figures Liam thinks the cuts from Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Liz Kendall won’t even touch the sides, whilst Allison reveals some shocking truths about so-called ‘benefit influencers’... Cashing in on a return fare to the rocket is economist Julian Jessop, who gives his predictions ahead of the upcoming Spring Statement, and just how ‘nasty’ things could be… And co-pilot Pearson isn’t short of words for the Shakespeare birthplace trust after their recent decision to ‘decolonise’ the playwright's birthplace. 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: ‘Radical welfare reform is the bitter medicine Britain needs’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03/18/radical-welfare-reform-bitter-medicine-britain-needs/ | 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.…

Planet Normal

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Ructions in Reform 1:13:33

8 weeks ago1:13:33

1:13:33

As the internal ‘punch up’ in Reform UK rumbles on, your co-pilots give their take on the latest fumblings. But whose corner are they fighting for? Allison is unimpressed and thinks the last thing the country needs is to see one of its newest parties in a ‘willy wanging contest’. Whilst Liam thinks the fractions could be due to possible ego inflation happening in line with the party’s expansion. And both co-pilots ponder if Reform can really reform itself? Strapping in for a return voyage on the rocket is investigative journalist Charlotte Gill who explains all about her campaign to clean up ‘‘woke waste’ and why the taxpayers in this country are ‘funding their own demise’… And Liam shares more from his recent journey… up a chimney! 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: ‘Reform’s alpha males need to shut up and get on with the job’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03/11/reforms-alpha-males-need-to-shut-up-and-get-on-with-the-job/| Read Liam: ‘Trump’s economically illiterate bravado could do very serious damage’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/03/09/trumps-economically-illiterate-bravado-could-do-damage/ | Read Allison and Molly Kingsley: ‘Five years on, British officialdom remains blind to the Covid catastrophe’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03/08/british-officialdom-remains-blind-to-the-covid-catastrophe/ | Read more from Charlotte: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/c/cf-cj/charlotte-gill/ | Read Charlotte’s substack: https://www.charlottecgill.co.uk/ | 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.…

Planet Normal

1
The Lockdown Legacy of Covid 1:15:38

9 weeks ago1:15:38

1:15:38

It’s geopolitics stupid.The issue at the forefront of the rocket’s orbit today as there’s certainly no shortage of global madness to contend with. Both your co-pilots reflect on the explosive meeting between President’s, Trump and Zelenskyy. Co-pilot Pearson thinks the latter may have ran out of cards to play when embarking on potential negotiations. Whilst co-pilot Halligan is concerned Donald Trump is underestimating the economic power of the Chinese when raising tariffs. Strapping into the cockpit this week for a return voyage on the rocket is leading epidemiologist, Professor Carl Heneghan who expresses his concerns of the economic and social implications of the ongoing covid19 inquiry. And Allison gives her take on Meghan Markle’s latest television project… 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: ‘Starmer’s sabre rattling over Ukraine is dangerous nonsense. We’re in no state to fight a war’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03/04/starmers-sabre-ukraine/ | Read Allison: ‘I hate to think what the late Queen would have made of ‘With Love, Meghan’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2025/03/05/meghans-netflix-show-late-queen/ | Read Carl’s substack: https://trusttheevidence.substack.com/ | 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.…

Planet Normal

1
Allison Pearson defends free speech against police 1:14:32

10 weeks ago1:14:32

1:14:32

Co-pilot Pearson has a huge announcement this week as she launches legal action against Essex police after her traumatising experience last year. In this episode she explains what has led her to take a stand against such ‘Orwellian’ behaviour… As Prime Minister Keir Starmer jets to Washington for a meeting with President Trump, your co-pilots ponder whether the Labour Party has changed its tune on defence spending to meet the President’s demands or if it is all statistical smoke and mirrors… Also boarding the rocket this week is author of ‘Far from Eutopia: How Europe is failing – and Britain could do’, political commentator Ross Clark who reflects on the recent elections in Germany and why the events illustrate a seismic change for Europe. There’s certainly no shortage of madness stirring your co-pilots juices 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/ | Read Allison: ‘Why I’ve decided to take legal action against the police’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/25/why-ive-decided-to-take-legal-action-against-police/ | Read Ross’s book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Far-Eutopia-Europe-failing-Britain/dp/0349146969 | 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.…

Planet Normal

1
Reeves’ nation inflation 1:23:26

11 weeks ago1:23:26

1:23:26

There’s more woe on the horizon this week with the delivery of less than positive inflation figures.. But no fear, your co-pilots are at the helm to guide you through this economic morass. Co-pilot Pearson has strong feelings about her new ‘boyfriend’ Vice President JD Vance’s speech at the security summit this week, whilst Liam takes a closer look at the latest economic figures. Spoiler alert; there is an ‘I told you so’ on the horizon. Also stepping into the cockpit this week to discuss her recent documentary, ‘Heresies: Britain’s Silent Rape Explosion’, is broadcaster Alex Philips. And your co-pilots have had a very exciting photoshoot…. 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 Alex: https://www.thatalexwoman.com/ | Watch Alex’s documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJ58WG3hd2g | Watch clip of Alex: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3XaIYx2hII | Read Allison: ‘JD Vance’s courageous lecture on migration has shamed our gutless elites’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/18/jd-vances-hard-truths-migration-shamed-europe/ | 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.…

Planet Normal

1
The final nail in the agricultural coffin 1:10:51

12 weeks ago1:10:51

1:10:51

Rule by law or rule by lawyers, that's the question your co-pilots are posing from the rocket today as they ponder the week’s events on Planet Earth, and there’s certainly no shortage of madness! Liam thinks the political state of the UK is less about supporting parties and more about being for or against the Whitehall 'blob’. Whilst Allison is frustrated at the attitude of the Tory party based on her interactions with members of the electorate. The co-pilots bring you a very special interview deep from the Welsh Hills from Gareth Wyn Jones who attended the recent farming marches and gives the rocket an exclusive glimpse from the outside. But do your co-pilots think Keir Starmer broke his promise to farmers? Elsewhere there is a bulging mail bag to contend with and one lucky reader has won Allison as a prize… 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: ‘ Lefty lawyers like Starmer and Hermer have poisoned our children against Britain’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/11/hermer-starmer-lawyers-poisoning-children-against-britain/ | Read Allison: ‘Pregnant people’? Even rail chiefs have bowed to the woke god of inclusivity’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/05/the-death-of-the-formal-train-announcement-is-a-tragedy/ | Read post referenced by Allison: https://x.com/chishol92148373/status/1889322433875787943?s=48&t=OPk5GiE2zJCmmPkPDAnuTg | 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.…

Planet Normal

1
The Rise and Rise of the Reform Polls 1:10:36

13 weeks ago1:10:36

1:10:36

Is the country falling apart? It’s starting to feel like it this week on the rocket as your co-pilots lament the latest shortcomings from the Labour Party, questions over lockdown rule breaks, Trump’s tariff wars and the return of the dreaded ‘Brexit’ talk… What do your co-pilots make of Reform leader Nigel Farage’s rising popularity? Resident rocket economist Liam also gives his take on President Trump’s recent tariff turbulence. Beaming into the rocket this week is Baroness Tina Stowell who explains more about the sale of the Telegraph and where there are opportunities, and dangers, in the revolution of artificial intelligence. And Allison has some questions for network rail, who have sent her on a one way ticket to the latest woke war of woe 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/ | Read Allison: On Islamophobia and migration, Labour are asking us to believe the impossible’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/04/islamaphobia-migration-labour-impossible/| Read Allison: ‘The death of the formal train announcement is a tragedy’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/05/the-death-of-the-formal-train-announcement-is-a-tragedy/ | Read: ‘Abu Dhabi fund ‘must be forced to sell The Telegraph by Easter’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/01/30/abu-dhabi-fund-must-be-forced-sell-the-telegraph-by-easter/ | Read Tina’s report: https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld5901/ldselect/ldcomm/71/71.pdf | 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.…

Planet Normal

1
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen on Reform and the future of the Conservative Party 1:01:17

14 weeks ago1:01:17

1:01:17

Co-pilot Halligan is joined by the highly qualified temporary co-pilot Tim Stanley whilst co-pilot Pearson is away from the rocket. Tim gives his take on the flurry of activity during Trump's first days in office and why he is frustrated with Keir Starmer's ‘outdated’ ideas. Strapping into the rocket for a return mission this week is Mayor of Tees Valley, Ben Houchen, who beams in to give his verdict on the Labour Party and Reform, and why the Conservatives are the future of the Country. Also Liam delivers some harsh economic truths and Tim reveals a surprising talent with his impression of President Donald Trump. You can watch Liam's interview with Ben Houchen here: https://youtu.be/dQTS2z7tf-8 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 Tim: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/t/tf-tj/tim-stanley/ | Read Ben’s letter to the Trade Unions concerning the UK Steel industry: https://x.com/BenHouchen/status/1842589896160202996/photo/1 | 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.…

Planet Normal

1
Labour’s Marxist attack on education 1:06:52

15 weeks ago1:06:52