Planet Normal
Episodes
The Mandelson mess, stagflation returns, and the battle for Wales
22 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the rocket, co-pilots Halligan and Pearson dive into the political firestorm engulfing Westminster as Sir Keir Starmer faces intense scru...
Osborne and Cameron cut UK defence spending - and now Starmer is making it worse
15 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
You can watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-e1x0gsvjfYThis week on the rocket, co-pilots Halligan and Pearson eye a horizon of storm clou...
Trump strikes ceasefire with Iran as Starmer grandstands in the Gulf
08 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
You can watch this episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/B0VweeU7QlAThis week on Planet Normal, your co-pilots navigate their way from the high-stakes ...
The Liberal consensus gave us mass migration and broken boarders
01 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s dispatch from the sanctuary of sweet reason, co-pilots Pearson and Halligan examine a growing sense of national insecurity as Britain...
Anti-semitism is clearly out of control in the UK
26 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
You can watch this episode in full on YouTube: https://youtu.be/z53vu3azxZsIn this week’s dispatch from the sanctuary of sweet reason, your co-pilot...
UK Meningitis outbreak and Starmer’s abortion policy shame
19 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
You can watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/QVXFsa07RpoIn this week’s dispatch from the sanctuary of sweet reason, co-pilots Pearson and...
The Iran war lays bare the betrayal of Britain’s energy security
12 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
You can watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/uRceQCyRYIUIt’s markets this, oil prices that, and what will happen next, so your co-pilots ...
Iran, Trump and running scared Starmer
05 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
As conflict with Iran hots up across the Middle East, your co-pilot blast in to make sense of the madness.Strapping into the rocket is Dr Alan Mendoza...
Planet Normal: Live, with Lionel Shriver and Suella Braverman
26 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Your co-pilots have braved the atmosphere of planet Earth as the rocket touches down at the Emmanuel Centre in London for a live recording of Planet N...
Reform launch their top team, as Starmer U-turns - again!
19 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Book your tickets for Planet Normal: LIVE on the 24th February: telegraph.co.uk/planetnormallive |You can watch this episode of Planet Normal on YouTu...
Tick tock, Sir Keir’s against the clock
12 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Book your tickets for Planet Normal: LIVE on the 24th February: telegraph.co.uk/planetnormallive |You can watch this episode of Planet Normal on YouTu...
The Mandelson quagmire and murky dealing of Chagos
05 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
You can watch this episode of Planet Normal on YouTube: https://youtu.be/wh42OqWtzDAAs the Prime Minister vows to release the ‘Mandelson Files...
Starmer’s Shameful Soldier Witch Hunt
28 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
You can watch this episode of Planet Normal on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4f7eZbkA91QIt's been a week of defections, rejections and tantrums in t...
Robert Jenrick's Reform defection and the Greenland rift
22 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The rocket of right thinking is back with a blast and a very special defector is aboard.Robert Jenrick is strapped in to tell our intrepid co-pilots w...
Best Voyages from the Rocket 2025 Episode 3
15 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The winter break continues on Planet Normal! In this, the third and final part of the three part best of the rocket series, our co-pilots take a look ...
Best Voyages from the Rocket 2025 Episode 2
08 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In our second episode of the Best of the Rocket 2025, co-pilots Pearson and Halligan dive deep into the past year’s archives and bring you some of t...
Best Voyages from the Rocket 2025 Episode 1
01 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this, the first of the Best of the Rocket 2025, co-pilots Pearson and Halligan dig into the data files for some of their most explosive voyages on ...
Rocket around the Christmas Tree!
25 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s a Merry Christmas from the Rocket of right thinking at Planet Normal to everyone stuck on Planet EarthYour intrepid co-pilots reflect on a year...
Festive flu and the West’s cowardly silence after the Bondi massacre
18 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Your Co-pilots reflect on a sombre week as the festive season is overshadowed by the beach massacre in Sydney earlier this week. Co-pilot Pearson...
Reform and Farage smears only make the Party stronger
11 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Co-Pilots Pearson and Halligan tackle a week of political and economic madness. Starmer is dismissed as a "caretaker Prime Minister" with a weak manda...
Liar, liar, Reeves’ pants are on fire
04 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With reaction to the autumn Budget still on the lips of news outlets everywhere, your co-pilots are here to make sense of the chaos.Allison doesn’t ...
Reeves Budget snowstorm of discontent
26 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The rocket of right thinking is back for a crucial Budget Special as Chancellor Rachel Reeves unveils her second major fiscal statement. Her new £30 ...
Reeves reverse ferret and Mahmood's immigration gamble
20 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week the Rocket welcomes former Prime Minister Liz Truss to discuss next week’s Budget as well as the co-pilots diving into the latest politica...
March of the BBC’s ‘tinfoil hat’ brigade
13 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After a Telegraph bombshell, both the BBC Director-General and Head of BBC News are OUT as the corporation is exposed for its "FAR LEFT ideological ca...
Home Office fails to secure its own ‘fit note’
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Following the speech from Chancellor Rachel Reeves acknowledging tax rises are coming round the mountain, your co-pilots are here to wade through the ...
Labour’s asylum seeker 'Carry On'
30 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Our co-pilots, energised from their trip down to earth for the live show at the Battle of Ideas festival last week, are back on the Rocket to try and ...
Planet Normal: Live Special at the Battle of Ideas 2025
22 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode was recorded live at the Battle of Ideas Festival in London on 19th October 2025In this very special episode of Planet Normal, the rocket...
Trump’s peace plan and the China spy row unfurling in Westminster
15 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With co-pilot Halligan off the train and back in the rocket the team has returned to wade through the madness.As Donald Trump declares “peace in the...
October 7th freed Hamas hostage Eli Sharabi speaks to Allison
08 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In a special episode of Planet Normal co-pilot Pearson brings you a long interview with Eli Sharabi, who after the 7th of October spent 491 days as a ...
The courageous ‘Pink Ladies' and Starmer’s toxic speech
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As Labour Conference draws to a close and Prime Minister Keir Starmer launches an attack on Nigel Farage, your co-pilots are here to make sense of the...
Trump and Reform are right on immigration
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With Trump giving a dressing down to the UN and Starmer clinging on amid yet more scandals, there is no shortness of madness for your co-pilots to get...
Starmer shows off for Trump as ‘no confidence’ in him spreads
17 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With a Trump state visit, an axed Ambassador and Labour polling in third in the upcoming Welsh election there is no shortage of news to wade through, ...
Ed Miliband’s Net Zero Gamble: blackouts and sky-high bills
10 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After a brief trip to Planet Earth at the Reform UK party conference, the rocket is back and making sense of the madness, so you don’t have to!Allis...
'I would like to work with Reform' - Lucy Connolly joins Allison and Liam on stage at Reform Party Conference
06 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The co-pilots briefly dock the rocket of right-thinking at the Reform Party Conference this week, for an on-stage episode with special guest Lucy Conn...
Taxing questions for Angela Rayner
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The rocket is back from the summer break and blasting through the nonsense to bring you some common sense! There’s a lot to catch up on so buckle in...
Best Voyages from the Rocket 2025 Part 3
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Summer is coming to an end on Planet Normal! So in our final installment of our "best of the rocket" series, our co-pilots take a look back at an...
'Am I Starmer's political prisoner? Absolutely' | Lucy Connolly speaks to Allison Pearson
22 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Citizens of Planet Normal, you were expecting the co-pilots to be on holiday during August but we now have a surprise bonus episode for you!...
Best Voyages from the Rocket 2025 Part 2
20 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 mo...
Best Voyages from the Rocket 2025 Part 1
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's the summer break on Planet Normal so in the first of this year's best of the rocket series, our co-pilots take a look back at some of their most ...
Labour! Leave our kids alone
06 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Another black hole has appeared in the country’s coffers, but you can bank on your co-pilots to make sense of the pennies and cents.Allison thinks S...
Feeble Starmer is stoking a febrile country
30 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With Donald Trump giving Starmer a piece of his mind, there’s no shortage of madness this week, and your co-pilots are ready to make sense of it all...
The UK is on a Hard Road tackling immigration concerns
23 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Co-Pilot Pearson is taking a break but fear not, Nick Timothy is strapping in to help Co-pilot Halligan make sense of this week’s madness.Liam is pl...
Red Ed’s kamikaze net zero policies and the most expensive email in history
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Secrets, lies and spies are on the agenda for this week and your co-pilots are here to make sense of the madness.Allison is horrified by the secrecy s...
Labour’s multicultural project has been a devastating experiment
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Another week in Labour’s u-turn government and the rumblings of a wealth tax are on the horizon, just as your co-pilots predicted!Allison thinks the...
Starmer's ‘ming vase’ strategy smashed by policy pirouettes
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As Labour performs another head spinning u turn, your co-pilots are here to cut through the madness, so you don’t have to.Allison thinks this govern...
Starmer's morally and politically bankrupt stance continues to humiliate us
26 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With another packed news week at home and abroad, your co-pilots are here to steer you through the carnage with their usual dose of common sense.Allis...
Starmer should resign in shame at his latest U-turn on grooming gang inquiry
18 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As Labour skids into yet another U-turn, your co-pilots are here to clear the chaff from the wheat.Allison is hopeful the inquiry could finally shed l...
Labour’s spending review has no credibility
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has outlined her spending review and your co-pilots are here to wade through the madness with Telegraph Columnist Gerard Lyon...
The economy is a laffer minute
04 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The rocket welcomes stowaway Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mel Stride aboard.As Rachel Reeves announces a clunky U-turn on winter fuel payments,...
Is this the end of the woke as we know it?
28 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As tensions simmer among the Labour benches ahead of their spending review, your co-pilots wade through the noise so you don’t have to.Allison is pl...
Starmer sells off our sovereignty
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Following Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s announcement of an EU ‘reset’ your co-pilots invited regular flier Lord David Frost to the rocket, forme...
Starmer’s reverse ferret to the Right
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Following Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s ‘strangers in our own land’ speech this week, your co-pilots give their take on his apparent change of h...
Are you ready for Reform?
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The votes were counted, and then re-counted in last week’s by-election, netting Reform their fifth MP. Similar shockwaves were felt through the loca...
Net zero nets ‘nul point’ after power outages in Europe
01 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Following nationwide power outages in Spain and Portugal on Monday this week, co-pilots Pearson and Halligan don their spacesuits to take a deeper div...
Weak Starmer’s week of silence on women ruling
23 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 St...
Tears of joy as Supreme Court rules on ‘women’ definition
16 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Talking tough on tariffs
09 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Rachel’s bottomless bucket of woe
02 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 Foo...
Spring Statement Special
27 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As Chancellor Rachel Reeves unveils her first ‘Spring Statement’ your co-pilots are joined on the rocket by not one but TWO very special incumbent...
The Burgeoning Benefits Bill
20 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Ructions in Reform
13 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
The Lockdown Legacy of Covid
06 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 wit...
Allison Pearson defends free speech against police
27 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Co-pilot Pearson has a huge announcement this week as she launches legal action against Essex police after her traumatising experience last year. In t...
Reeves’ nation inflation
20 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
The final nail in the agricultural coffin
13 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
The Rise and Rise of the Reform Polls
06 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen on Reform and the future of the Conservative Party
30 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Labour’s Marxist attack on education
23 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s the second coming of the Donald as President Trump is inaugurated to the Oval Office for his second term, but what do your co-pilots make of th...
Is the UK's grooming gang shame just the tip of worldwide iceberg?
16 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Your co-pilots have blasted off a whopper of a rocket this week so strap in.It’s Labour vs lettuce this week as the scrutiny of Chancellor Rachel Re...
Liz Truss Threatens Starmer with Legal Action
09 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s a new year and the rocket returns with a blast to take on tax rises, economy worries and a grooming scandal, but what do your co-pilots make of...
Christmas Special 2024 P2
02 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this, the second of a two part series, co-pilots Pearson and Halligan dig into the data files for some of their most explosive voyages on the rocke...
Christmas Special 2024 P1
26 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this, the first of a two part series, co-pilots Pearson and Halligan dig into the data files for some of their most explosive voyages on the rocket...
No brainer with ‘Angela Rayner’
19 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Christmas is coming but the madness on the rocket of right thinking shows no signs of slowing down. It’s time to strap in for the last voyage of 202...
Cultural Sensitivities Can Cost Lives
12 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A sombre journey to Planet Normal today, as Allison and Liam learn that the father of Sara Sharif has been found guilty of the 10-year-old’s murder ...
Labour Cleared For Re-Launch
05 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As Prime Minister Keir Starmer celebrates a turbulent 5 months in office by eventually turning on the Downing Street Christmas lights, co-Pilot Pearso...
Fixing the foundations
28 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The campaign for free speech on the rocket has been a runaway success with no signs of slowing down.This week your co-pilots tackle a bulging mail bag...
A helluva week on the rocket
21 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It’s been one helluva week on the rocket for co-pilot Pearson, as she describes the ‘news tsunami’ that has crashed through her life.Your co-pil...
You have the freedom to be silenced
13 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In wake of co-pilot Pearson’s shock visit from the police on Remembrance Sunday, the rocket reflects on the principle of free speech in our country....
US Election 2024
07 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Co-pilot Pearson is off on a special mission this week so Liam is joined in the cockpit by resident part time co-pilot, Tim Stanley.As the news breaks...
Labour’s big budget
31 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As Labour unveils their first budget in 14 years, the rocket beams in for a bumper Budget special with not one but two stowaways! But what do the rock...
Planet Normal Live Special at the Battle of Ideas
23 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This episode was recorded live at the Battle of Ideas Festival in London on 20th October 2024In this very special episode of Planet Normal, the rocket...
Rachel and the blackhole
16 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The countdown to Labour's first Budget is on, but what do your co-pilots make of the new Chancellor's plans? Brace yourselves it's another news Tsunam...
The two Tory horse race
09 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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. An...
Robert Jenrick on his Tory leadership bid
02 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 u...
Conference season chaos
25 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
**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...
Tom Tugendhat on his bid for Tory leadership
18 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Strapping into the rocket of right thinking this week for a Planet Normal exclusive is Tory leadership hopeful Tom Tugendhat who shares the reasons wh...
Winter fuel woes
11 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 r...
It’s a (Tory leadership) knockout!
04 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 a...
Is he two tier Keir?
28 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
The rocket returns
21 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As co-pilot Pearson circles Heathrow waiting for clearance to land, Liam is joined by Planet Normal Cosmonaut Supreme, Baroness Claire Fox.There's bee...
Best Voyages from the Rocket 2024 P3
14 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 a...
Best Voyages from the Rocket 2024 P2
07 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 mo...
Kemi Badenoch on her Conservative Party leadership bid
02 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Best Voyages from the Rocket 2024 P1
31 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Silly Season Kicks Off
24 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
The King’s (Labour) Speech
17 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Joining Liam in the cockpit this week for a very special extended interview is Professor Matthew Goodwin. As the rocket blasts into a new politic...
Labour and their Starmtroopers
10 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 de...
To the Polls!
03 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This episode of Planet Normal was recorded on Wednesday the 3rd July before the polls opened for the general election.Six weeks of election campaignin...
Heat Wave of Politics
26 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The temperature is heating up on the rocket this week, as the whole country basks in a heatwave but is the election shade being thrown threatening to ...
The Anti-incumbency trend
19 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
With the rocket hurtling towards the election, what do its inhabitants make of the latest manifesto madness?In light of the latest inflation figures L...