Planet Normal

Co-pilots barrage Nigel Farage

12 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Planet Normal, your co-pilots strap into the rocket with Leader of Reform UK, Nigel Farage. In a true rocket grilling Nigel respond...

Debating the debate

05 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Whilst co-pilot Pearson takes a well earned break from the rocket Liam is joined by a temporary co-pilot and fellow right thinker, Baroness Claire Fox...

The 200th voyage on the rocket

29 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This special anniversary episode was recorded live in front of an audience of Planet Normal citizens, from Cadogan Hall in London.The beloved rocket g...

A cacophony of woe

22 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

**Today's episode was recorded before the General Election announcement**There’s not one but two scandals to comment on this week as both the infect...

How long before Kevin Spacey is allowed to be uncancelled?

15 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In an exclusive interview with co-pilot Pearson, Academy Award winning actor Kevin Spacey straps into the rocket to give his response to the recent Ch...

A Tory hammering

08 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

With the local elections across England and Wales all over, who were the real winners and losers? And did the Tories really get hammered? Only your co...

Wormholes of Woke

01 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Election fever has reached the rocket this week as the co-pilots await the results from local polling stations up and down the country. And ...

A protest too far

24 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Strapping into the rocket this week and calling for the resignation of Met Police Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, is former Home Secretary and Conserva...

The Battle of Brussels

17 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Battle of BrusselsWith co-pilot Pearson making a triumphant return to the rocket this week there’s much madness to discuss including the Cass re...

The case of the Cass Report

10 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Baroness Claire Fox straps into the cockpit this week to take the helm and tackle the madness alongside co-pilot Halligan. And there's no shortage of ...

Not a first class health service

03 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There’s a lot of madness orbiting the rocket this week as your co-pilots tackle the latest ghastly news from the NHS and author JK Rowling's reactio...

Tory MPs for hire

28 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

New immigration figures will be causing another headache for Rishi Sunak and strapping into the cockpit this week is Former Minister for Immigration R...

Four Prime Ministers, 1 Parliament

21 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

With potential Conservative Party mutiny still bubbling away, there’s a rare moment of disagreement in the Planet Normal cockpit this week over a po...

More political tremors

14 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There is no rest in the political news cycle this week, but are recent events enough to trigger a political earthquake or just another tremor?In ...

A Spring Budget haunted by the OBR

07 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Chancellor has revealed his Budget but the rocket of right-thinking has spotted a shadowy figure on the horizon heading towards Mr Hunt - the Offi...

The Army up in arms over housing

29 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As co-pilot Pearson is away this week Liam is joined by special guest Telegraph Defence Editor Danielle Sheridan, to discuss the issue of the military...

Don't Panic!

22 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This episode was recorded before the evening's events in the House of Commons. You can read more here on the Telegraph's live blog: https://www.t...

Stick to the plan

15 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Give children brick phones, not smartphones, says this week's guest on the rocket of right thinking, Sophie Winkleman. The Peep Show star gives an ins...

The rise of Reform and 'Pop Con'

08 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As inflation drops, anger on the rocket rises, at the issue of illegal immigration and asylum seekers in light of the shocking chemical attack in Lond...

The Business of Brexit

01 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week your co-pilots are busy celebrating the anniversary of Brexit and the subsequent birth of Planet Normal. But aside from a hit podcast, what ...

Talk of a Tory regicide

25 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Just when the UK has finished surviving a battering from storm Isha Talk of Tory regicide is blowing its way in with storm Jocelyn. It’s safe&n...

Exclusive Interview with Fujitsu insider

17 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This episode was recorded before The Rwanda Bill cleared the Commons Strapping into the rocket alongside your co-pilots this week is former Fujitsu em...

New Year, Old Scandals

11 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s business as usual this week as the rocket launches back into action after its Christmas hiatus. And your co-pilots are not short of opinio...

Best voyages from the festive Rocket 2023: Part 2

04 Jan 2024

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 ...

Best voyages from the festive Rocket 2023: Part 1

28 Dec 2023

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 ...

Jingle Bell Rocket

21 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The bells are ringing, the Christmas spirit has well and truly hit the rocket. Joining your co-pilots in looking back at the highs and lows of 20...

When Tory Tribes Go To War

14 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Tory tribes are at war over the Rwanda Bill, but who will emerge victorious? One thing is for sure, these party politics aren’t very festiv...

Ineptitude masking as progress

07 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode was recorded before the resignation of Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick.The lettuce has returned, could PM Rishi Sunak be heading for ...

Busy getting on with ‘just delivering’

30 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's been a calamitous week for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, at least that’s what our co-pilots think with the latest immigration figures hitting a r...

Autumn Statement Special

22 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It’s budget week on the rocket and the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has some sizeable tax cuts to pull out of his fiscal stocking. But what do your co-pil...

A controversial Cabinet reshuffle

16 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It’s been a busy week at No10 with Suella being shown the door and the surprise recycling of David Cameron returning as Foreign Secretary. Coul...

The Power and Pain of the Protest

09 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

To protest or not to protest? The question on everyone's mind this week as the conflicts between Remembrance weekend commemorations and pro- Palestine...

The Inquiry

02 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With the Covid Inquiry reaching boiling point, your co-pilots dissect the political finger pointing and blame shifting amongst the witnesses. All...

365 days on Planet Rishi

25 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 Pr...

Turmoil continues in Israel

18 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

N.B This episode contains content that some listeners may find distressingAs the shocking events in the Middle East continue, the rocket reflects on t...

A Glittering Labour Conference

11 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 spee...

Plans for a Post Rishi World

04 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The rocket beams in live from the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester this week, at the last conference before the next election. And with str...

Pre party conference fever

27 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 m...

Liz Truss on her ‘pro-growth’ economy and traditional Conservative policies

20 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Should we be picking on pensioners?

13 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 lo...

Back to school, back to politics

06 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 agend...

And they're back...

31 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 madnes...

Best bits from the rocket: Part 4

23 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this the final of the four part best of the rocket series, our co-pilots take a look back at some of their most explosive voyages on the rocket of ...

Best bits from the rocket: Part 3

16 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this the third of the four part best of the rocket series, our co-pilots take a look back at some of their most explosive voyages on the rocket of ...

Best bits from the rocket: Part 2

09 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this the second of the four part best of the rocket series, our co-pilots take a look back at some of their most explosive voyages on the rocket of...

Best bits from the rocket: Part 1

02 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this the first of a four part series, co-pilots Pearson and Halligan dig into the data files for some of their most explosive voyages on the rocket...

A tale of two Allisons

26 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the latest episode, before the rocket blasts off for a brief summer break, it’s Allison vs Alison as co-pilot Pearson takes on Dame Alison Rose i...

A heat storm in a teacup

19 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There’s something in the air this week, but what is causing the temperature to rise in the rocket of right thinking this week? Is it the woke banks ...

The BBC, the Bank of England and "bonus holes"

12 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Note: this episode was recorded before Huw Edwards was named by his wife as the presenter at the centre of the BBC scandal. There are no shortage...

National Health Service or National disaster?

06 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It’s the 75th birthday of our National Health Service but your co-pilots are feeling far from ready to celebrate…Allison thinks it’s less of a n...

It's just not cricket

28 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Following the Bank of England increasing interest rates, a mortgage crisis is looming. A week on, at Prime Minister's Questions, Sir Keir Starmer is a...

The economy, stupid

21 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With the ‘media froth’ surrounding the economy building, bond yields spiking and interest rates set to soar, can our economy keep defying gravity?...

Mad night at the circus

14 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The summer silly season isn’t yet upon us but already things have descended into circus mode, with Boris Johnson’s resignation as MP for Uxbridge ...

"I told you so" doesn't quite say it

07 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There’s a lot to discuss this week; the latest lockdown report, Sir Keir Starmer taking on the Unions and some High Court action. Your co-pilots are...

Through the looking glass

31 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Where are all the grown ups? This is the burning question our co-pilots are asking today. Amongst the latest drama at Westminster not to mention the T...

The great Tory immigration lie

24 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Inflation has slowed but the latest bombshell immigration figures are in. Could the Conservative party be heading for a possible 1997-style landslide ...

A tale of two conferences

18 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We saw two mini conferences this week from Tory Land: both the National Conservative conference and the Social Conservative Democratic Organisation ha...

Mr and Mrs Despairing Tory

10 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The local elections results are in and your co-pilots are on hand to deliver their verdict. But who won the all important sweepstake, Allison or Liam?...

The Coronation, fears of inflation, and political evisceration?

03 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

NB: This episode was recorded on Wednesday May 3rd 2023It’s a big week on the rocket, as England faces local elections and The Coronation in on...

New elites and selfish stunts

19 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With concerns about the London marathon and FA cup final due to protests, our co-pilots weigh in on the latest protest psychodramas dominating the new...

Is the NHS on its deathbed?

12 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As the country’s junior doctors hit the picket lines, your co-pilots hit the rocket of sweet reason to dissect what’s really going on in our ‘fi...

Political plate tectonics

05 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The campaign starting gun has been fired and the race to the local elections has begun. But which horse is the current front runner in the eyes of our...

Planet Normal’s Lockdown Heroes

29 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the second of this two-part lockdown retrospective, your co-pilots welcome back onto the rocket some of their heroes from the pandemic, those they ...

How Sweden stood firm: Anders Tegnell looks back on lockdown

23 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the first of this two-part lockdown retrospective, your co-pilots look back at the events of March 2020, that unexpectedly led to them being at the...

Spring Budget Special

16 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Strap in, its Budget week and the Planet Normal rocket has got a first class ticket to the most eagerly anticipated financial breakdown of this Spring...

Tough talking on small boats

09 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We may be aboard the rocket of right thinking, but this week on Planet Normal we're discussing a very different type of vessel, small boats, and the P...

Truth triumphs on lockdown and lab leak

02 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Our co-pilots are feeling a bit smug this week, as a series of revelations lift the lid on Covid untruths at home and abroad.Allison argues The Telegr...

War on cultural vandalism

23 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Spring is in the air on Planet Normal, with resident economist Halligan spotting some economic green shoots amongst the doom and gloom. But all is not...

So long Sturgeon

16 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It’s all eyes on Scotland this week, after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's surprising decision to stand down. And with a TikTok ban and a Tory tax ...

Truss’s turbulent return

09 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

She’s back. Former short lived Prime Minister Liz Truss has re-entered the Westminster fray, but is it a triumphant return? Our co-pilots give ...

Taking on the Brexit bashers

02 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As we mark the third anniversary of Brexit, our co-pilots take on the doomsters and get to the bottom of why the country feels short-changed by the de...

Death by 100 tiny scandals

26 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Our co-pilots feel like they’re back to the 90s this week with a cloud of Tory sleaze and looming recession hanging over the country. But will it be...

School's out for winter!

19 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Just when you thought the strikes couldn't get worse, teachers have decided to join the wave of walkouts. But who do our co-pilots think will com...

New year news tsunami

12 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's a brand new year on Planet Normal and while the rocket has been taking a well earned break there has been a tsunami of news.Our co-pilots deliver...

Best bits 2022

22 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It’s a ho ho ho from our co-pilots this week as they embark on a very special festive voyage, strapping in for one last orbit of 2022 to look back a...

Happy winter closure period

15 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It’s less striking action, more strike-in-action this week as England crash out of the World Cup and industrial action rumbles on. But how many stri...

The 12 days of strike-mas

08 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Our co-pilots are doing their best to minimise the gloom threatening to eclipse the rocket this week, by bringing a little festive cheer.Allison and L...

Immigration wars

01 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The winter of discontent appears to be in full swing, with strikes, swelling inflation and power cuts threatening to dim the Christmas lights.Thi...

Are the Tories falling apart?

24 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

December is fast approaching but the mood is far from festive on the rocket, with strikes, spiralling living costs and World Cup wokery afoot - can it...

Autumn statement stealth tactics

17 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tax is the word on our co-pilot’s lips this week as Chancellor Jeremy Hunt unveils the Autumn Statement. But with some bold moves expected, could th...

Not a lot of Cop (27)

10 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It’s Cop27 week, and as the world leaders jet in, our co-pilots digest the highs and lows from what is better known on the rocket as ‘the inv...

A post-Halloween witch hunt

03 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Halloween might be over but the witch hunt has only just begun, as the Home Secretary Suella Braverman is under fire over the ongoing migrant crisis h...

Can Sunak stop the perma-crisis?

26 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Another week on the rocket, and another Prime Minister on Planet Earth. But what does the future hold for ‘dishy Rishi’ as he moves into No10? Our...

Lord Frost and Lionel Shriver on Braverman, budgets and Brexit

20 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The beloved rocket gains a few extra passengers this week as our second Planet Normal live event is broadcast from the IET in London.Allison has been ...

Caught in the doom loop

12 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Another week, another dose of economic woe to digest on the rocket. Honorary Planet Normal citizen Nick Timothy is back to give his take on what the L...

Tory Party Psychodrama

05 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The lights have come down on another Conservative Party conference, but it hasn't been without its political psychodrama.Co-pilot Halligan beams in fr...

Mini-budget, big problem

28 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Strap in for an economic rollercoaster on the rocket this week. Fresh from his perch outside the Bank of England, co-pilot Halligan is here ...

End of an Era

21 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

After a momentous period in which we lost our beloved Queen, the co-pilots are back to reflect on the historic turn of events.Allison was moved by sce...

Trussonomics

07 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It’s the dawn of a new era on the rocket as Liz Truss takes the throne as Prime Minister. But do our co-pilots think she's got what it takes?Co-pilo...

Lights out for Boris

31 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The curtain is finally falling on the Tory leadership contest. The spectacle might be nearly over - to the relief of our co-pilots - but the madness i...

Anyone seen the Government?

24 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Levels of discontent have reached new highs on the rocket this week, with crisis brewing in the NHS and the economy.Co-pilot Halligan is fru...

Cost of lockdown crisis

17 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It’s A-level results day, and it’s not just the grades that are up for scrutiny on the rocket this week.Both our co-pilots lament the cost of lock...

An entirely captainless ship

10 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

With temperatures soaring and the energy crisis escalating, our co-pilots have run out of patience with the lack of political leadership.Allison ...

End of the road for Rishi?

04 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The political psychodrama rumbles on, but both our co-pilots think it's time for a curtain call on the leadership showdown. So will Rishi Sunak t...

Gloves off in Tory leader race

27 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's full-contact battle as Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak face off to become the next Prime Minister. So who better to join our co-pilots on the...

Jumping off the Boris bus

06 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It’s been a dramatic week since the rocket's last journey, with scores of cabinet resignations shaking the Johnson Premiership. So will th...

A.B.B: Anyone But Boris

29 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The by-election results are in, and the predictions of Planet Normal's very own clairvoyant co-pilot 'Mystic Pearson' proved to be eerily accurate.All...

Tricky times for the Tories

22 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode was recorded on Wednesday the 22nd of June before the UK by-elections.It’s all eyes on the Conservative party this week as they face al...

Battle for the soul of the Conservative Party

15 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The rising cost of living continues to bite as we board the rocket of right thinking this week, but UK-EU relations have also returned to centre stage...

Last chance saloon for Boris

08 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The votes are in and the Prime Minister lives to fight another day. But is it the beginning of the end of the Johnson Premiership? Our co-pilots ...