Planet Normal

It’s Tory Conference week and Liam Halligan is camped out in Manchester, surviving on stale sandwiches and a hotel minibar, to give Allison Pearson the inside track on the party's movers and shakers. The PM’s speech may have brought the laughs but both our hosts were left wanting more: no policy announcements, barely a mention of the pandemic, and ‘gaping holes’ in his arguments. Nul points from our co-pilots.Joining them aboard the rocket this week is fellow Telegraph columnist, Philip Johnston, who has been to not one, not two but forty Conservative conferences. He tells Allison why he thinks politicians aren’t as talented as they once were, and ranks his favourite ever three MPs.Also on the show: Allison brings a revealing update from George, our NHS insider, and Liam answers the all-important question: what is stagflation?Allison will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 7th October 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2021/10/06/planet-normal-boris-johnson-complete-denial-dire-place-country/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Read more from Philip: | https:/www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/philip-johnston/ |Listen to The Telegraph's Off Script podcast: https://www.playpodca.st/offscript |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: [email protected] |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.

Robert Peston, ITV News Political Editor, joins Liam Halligan and guest co-host, Claire Fox on this week’s trip to Planet Normal. Buckets and spades at the ready as the trio head to the seaside to dissect the Labour Party conference, but it’s less happy holidays and more angry hecklers at Sir Keir Starmer’s eagerly-awaited “make-or-break” speech. Liam tells listeners why the party failed to score an open goal, while Claire accuses the leader of merely “ticking boxes”. But has his time on the conference floor left him any closer to power? Our co-hosts deliver their verdicts.Also on the show: Robert Peston lays bare the state of journalism, laments the death of respectful disagreement and tells Liam why he has quite such little respect for authority. And a poetic listener impresses our co-pilots as they delve into the Planet Normal mailbag.Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Read more from Claire: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/claire-fox |Listen to The Telegraph's Off Script podcast: https://www.playpodca.st/offscript |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: [email protected] |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.

Energy prices are up, universal credit is down and Waitrose is out of pitta bread. It certainly is shaping up to be the perfect storm aboard Planet Normal this week.So buckle up for turbulence as Allison declares war on the GP’s trade union, whilst Liam declares the government's green policies as ‘pie in the sky’ promises in need of a reality check.Also stowing away on the rocket of right thinking this week, is leader of Reform UK, Richard Tice who is keen to tell Allison and Liam why he now calls the Tories the ‘Con-Socialists’ and pitches his unique vision for Britain as a 'Singapore off the coast of Europe'.Plus we have a traumatising trip down memory lane for some, as our co-pilots share some listener memories of dreaded P.E lessons. You've been warned!Allison will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 23rd September 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/09/22/richard-tice-conservatives-like-con-socialists/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Listen to History Defended: www.telegraph.co.uk/history-defendedNeed help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: [email protected] |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.

Professor of Pop Paul Gambaccini boards this week's rocket to Planet Normal, with some disquieting words for the Metropolitan Police after he signed an open letter calling for the head of the force, Cressida Dick, to be replaced in her role. In a damning interview, he tells Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan why, seven years after he was cleared of claims of sexual abuse, he feels he was used as 'human flypaper' to encourage others to make allegations against celebrities.Plus: it's straight sets and straight talking this week as our co-pilots applaud US Open winner Emma Raducanu for her poise, her grace and her lack of grunting. Our co-pilots indulge in a nostalgic trip down British sporting memory lane.And it’s not just tennis that’s holding court this week: Liam warns of an 'Autumn of discontent', Allison tells listeners why Chris Whitty has left her feeling as if she's living through Groundhog Day and both our co-pilots notice a growing sense of disillusionment with the government.Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Listen to History Defended: www.telegraph.co.uk/history-defended |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: [email protected] |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 new tax in town and it’s got Allison rather confused. But not to worry - our resident economics guru, Liam Halligan has got his nerdiest hat on to break down the newly-announced health and social care levy. He tells listeners why the move is far from a long-term solution to the social care crisis, and reveals the real reason he believes Boris Johnson has hiked taxes to their highest level since the Second World War.  This week's guest, touching down on the refuge of reasoned views, is NHS GP Renee Hoenderkamp. She tells our co-pilots why an unwarranted fear of catching coronavirus twice means too few GPs have returned to in-person care, why she just can't support Covid vaccinations for under 18s, and why on earth she chose to redo her A-Levels in her thirties.Allison will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 9th September 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2021/09/08/planet-normal-no-longer-have-conservative-government/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Listen to History Defended: www.telegraph.co.uk/history-defended |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: [email protected] |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.

Allison's in the BMA's bad books. Hell hath no fury like a Pearson scorned as she shares her prescription with her podcast co-pilot, Liam Halligan for the next stage in her fight to bring back face-to-face GP appointments. Also on the show: it's the start of a new school year, but new books don't spell an end to the disruptions for our children. Liam has some disquieting words for the teaching unions ahead of the national return to the classroom.Also boarding the rocket of right-thinking, Professor Carl Heneghan, Director of Oxford University's Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine drops in to tell our co-pilots why he believes the JCVI should prioritise a vaccine booster programme for over 65s over the immunisation of under-18s - and leaves our co-pilots wishing he were their GP.Allison will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 2nd September 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2021/09/02/children-not-showing-symptoms-covid-should-stay-school-says/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Listen to Chopper's Politics: https://www.playpodca.st/chopper |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: [email protected] |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.

Can a pre-teen consent to a coronavirus vaccine? That's the big question Telegraph columnists Liam Halligan and Allison Pearson are grabbling with this week, after an anonymous Planet Normal listener reveals that the NHS is drawing up plans to vaccinate 12-year-olds.And as co-pilot Halligan returns from his Aegean Odyssey (AKA his annual holiday to Greece), he comes back not just with a podcast, but also with an interview with James Glancy, Army veteran turned documentary maker. James boards a first-class seat on the rocket of right thinking this week to reflect on his time serving as a Royal Marine during three tours of Afghanistan and why he thinks the ‘special relationship’ between Great Britain and the United States should be confined to the ‘dustbin of history’.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 1st July from 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/08/25/nhs-draws-plans-vaccinate-12-year-olds/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Listen to Imposters: www.playpodca.st/imposters |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: [email protected] |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.

Time to pack our bags and head for Planet Normal? Horrifying events in Afghanistan leave Allison Pearson and fellow columnist and guest co-host, Tim Stanley feeling as if they've woken up in a dystopian nightmare. Allison hopes the evacuation process will start to prioritise women and children, Tim argues that withdrawing troops a decade earlier could have seen the very same outcome and both our co-pilots question President Biden’s motivations in leaving the country in the first place.Also on the podcast: parish priest and broadcaster the Reverend Canon Giles Fraser boards our rocket of right thinking and tells former Sunday school teacher Allison why the gap between a Left and Liberal Church of England and the Brexit-voting public is ‘a real problem’, and why virtual worship just doesn’t cut it.Plus: Allison shares details of a very Welsh reunion with her mother after more than 18 months, while Tim tells listeners how a recent clumsy mistake is proving rather costly.Allison will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 19th August 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2021/08/18/gap-church-england-brexit-voting-public/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Tim: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/t/tf-tj/tim-stanley/ |Listen to Hong Kong Silenced: www.playpodca.st/hongkong |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: [email protected] |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.

Tim Stanley, Telegraph columnist and leader writer, joins Allison Pearson on this week’s podcast, while Captain Halligan is on his very own Aegean Odyssey (AKA a Ryanair flight to Greece). The pair award the education secretary an F for allowing top A-Level grades to be handed out to almost half of school leavers - a move our hosts agree isn’t really that generous after all - and reflect on the latest Covid confusion. Our new co-pilot is a loyal follower of Boris Johnson, but has his loyalty been shaken by 17 months of inconsistencies within his pandemic response? Not so… Tim explains all.Also on the podcast: education reformer and “Britain’s strictest headmistress” Katharine Birbalsingh lets Allison in on the real reason behind this year’s grade inflation, lays out why she thinks calls to decolonise the curriculum are “appalling” and explains why - cue groans from our younger listeners - exams must stay.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 12th August 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education-and-careers/2021/08/12/planet-normal-need-have-conversation-grade-inflation/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Tim: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/t/tf-tj/tim-stanley/ |Listen to Hong Kong Silenced: www.playpodca.st/hongkong |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: [email protected] |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.

Telegraph columnists Liam Halligan and Allison Pearson are back with a bang from their holidays for another much needed trip to Planet Normal. This week Allison surprises Liam with her sudden reincarnation as a BMX expert, as both hosts celebrate the uplift in mood delivered by Team GB at the Olympic Games. Away from Tokyo, Allison adds the PM to her own 'Amber watchlist' after the government's flip flopping on travel policies, and Liam ruminates on a return of Number 10 versus Number 11 bickering this week. Also on the podcast: Dr Charles Levinson, founder of private home visit doctor service 'Doctor Call' boards the rocket of right thinking to tell our co-pilots why he thinks the public health response to the pandemic has caused more harm than the virus itself.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 5th August 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/08/05/public-policy-response-illness-has-caused-harm-illness |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Listen to Hong Kong Silenced: www.playpodca.st/hongkong |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: [email protected] |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.

In the words of Alice Cooper, “School’s out for Summer”. The holidays are fast approaching but there’s no rest for our co-pilots, Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan, as Allison accuses the Left of weaponising the use of face masks, Liam predicts public finger-wagging for those choosing to ditch them, and our hosts nail their colours to the mast on the so-called “War of the Noses”.Also on the podcast: LSE behavioural scientist Professor Paul Dolan cruises into the Planet Normal atmosphere to tell listeners why the government must honour its social contract of freedom in a post-vaccine world, and why the cost of achieving zero-Covid is just too high. Plus, a particularly moving email from a Brown Owl gives our co-pilots pause for thought. Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 14th July from 11am-12pm:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2021/07/15/planet-normal-rural-areas-will-see-mask-wearing-drop-entirely/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Listen to Imposters: www.playpodca.st/imposters |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: [email protected] |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.

Meet the mothers taking on the system over the way children have been sidelined in lockdown decision-making. Working mums Molly, Liz and Christine added a string to their collective bow when they were forced to become home teachers over much of 2020 - and another one when they later set up pressure group, Us for Them. It campaigns for the needs of the young to be prioritised over the pandemic and beyond. This week they board an extra large Planet Normal rocket, telling Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan why calling children ‘resilient’ is simply a means of justifying putting adults first, plus they lay out the very real effect lockdown measures have had on their own kids.Elsewhere, has the Saj been had? Liam wonders whether the ‘doom-monger scientists’ will have their way in delaying the new Health Secretary’s freedom day deadline, Allison tells us why the NHS’ George Cross victory saw her jaw drop, and a powerful interview leaves one of our co-pilots cowering in the corner of the Planet Normal capsule.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 8th July from 11am-12pm:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2021/07/08/not-enough-call-children-resilient-must-put-first/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/|Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/|Listen to Hong Kong Silenced: www.playpodca.st/hongkong |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: [email protected] |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.

Good news for football fans, bad news for the former health secretary. A week of highs and lows, or highs and highs - according to our co-pilots, Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan. They tell listeners why hypocrisy is too weak a word for the actions of Mr Hancock, and Liam gives us the inside line on new health secretary, Sajid Javid’s first moves. Also on the podcast: SDP leader William Clouston boards the rocket of reason to tell listeners what sets his party apart in the much-anticipated by-election in Batley and Spen, and why he thinks the Labour Party no longer shares the values of its former voters.Warning: This episode contains a terrible impression of the current PM.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 1st July from 11am-12pm:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2021/06/30/planet-normal-matt-hancock-has-done-us-favour-exposing-westminsters/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Listen to Hong Kong Silenced: https://www.playpodca.st/hongkong |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: [email protected] |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.

Freedom day has come and gone, and with little freedom restored, co-hosts Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan tell listeners why they feel a rebellion rising. Can opinion polls suggesting the country still supports lockdown be true? Not according to co-pilot Halligan, who tells us why he thinks pollsters’ leading questions are skewing the results. Meanwhile Allison impresses Liam with her newly-acquired scientific vocabulary, and ‘George’ shares some exciting news.Also visiting Planet Normal: Developmental biologist Dr Emma Hilton reflects on the announcement that weightlifter, Laurel Hubbard will become the first transgender athlete to compete at this year’s Olympic Games. She shares research suggesting the loss of muscle mass in trans women undergoing hormone treatment is ‘surprisingly’ small, and argues that being exclusive in sport is necessary for fair competition. But where do Liam and Allison stand on the transgender athlete debate? All is revealed within.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 24th June from 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2021/06/23/planet-normal-trans-athlete-debate-line-must-drawn-stealing/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ | Listen to Chopper's Politics: www.playpodca.st/chopper |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: [email protected] |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.

Iain Duncan Smith is this week's Planet Normal stowaway, joining Telegraph columnists Liam Halligan and Allison Pearson to discuss the 'real danger' of annual winter lockdowns, and to tell listeners why it's time for the West to stand up to the 'desperate threat' posed by China's economy, military and ideology.Elsewhere, Freedom Day? More like Freedom Nay. Our co-pilots threaten to move to an entirely new solar system after the PM's recent announcement that June 21st is off. Allison comes close to self-combusting, while Liam tells us why he believes politicians have become 'addicted to lockdown'. Plus, a listener email has one of our hosts reaching for the tissues.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 17th June from 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/06/17/iain-duncan-smith-uk-us-must-strengthen-defences-against-desperate/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Listen to Chopper's Politics: https://www.playpodca.st/chopper |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: [email protected] |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.

Dr Jay Bhattacharya, Stanford medical professor and co-author of the Great Barrington Declaration boards the rocket of sweet reason this week to tell Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan why he thinks the UK government should 'declare victory and move on’ after its vaccine rollout success. The lockdown policy, he tells our co-pilots, will be viewed as the single biggest public health mistake in all of history.Elsewhere, with the sun shining Allison considers crashing the G7 Summit in Cornwall in order to have a holiday, Liam takes listeners behind the scenes at the soon-to-be-launched television channel, GB News, and our co-pilots make an impassioned case for second chances in the light of England cricket star Ollie Robinson's suspension.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 10th June from 11am-12pm:  https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/06/10/lockdowns-single-biggest-public-health-mistake-history-says/|Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Listen to Brian Moore’s Full Contact: https://www.playpodca.st/fullcontact |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: [email protected] |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.

Former Head of MI6 Sir Richard Dearlove joins Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan’s rocket of right-thinking after British intelligence agencies described the Covid-19 lab leak theory as “feasible” - an idea he has long backed. In an explosive interview, Sir Richard tells listeners why China has behaved “appallingly” over the pandemic, and why he believes the US has intelligence on the origins of the virus. Plus, he has some particularly disquieting words for the WHO.Also on the show: Liam tells us why he believes Boris Johnson has had a welcome change of heart towards his scientific advisers, Allison channels her inner “Velma”, and our co-pilots defy the pandemic doom-mongers and celebrate “zero Covid day”.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 3rd June from 11am-12pm, and Telegraph subscribers can hear the full Sir Richard Dearlove interview here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/06/03/china-will-have-destroyed-proof-wuhan-coronavirus-leak-says/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Listen to Brian Moore’s Full Contact: https://www.playpodca.st/fullcontact |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: [email protected] |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.

Ding Ding! It's round one in Westminster as Dominic Cummings enters the ring to unleash his blow-by-blow attack on the government's handling of the Covid pandemic - and Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan were watching. Liam struggles to stand up for his one-time lodger, Allison tells us why she thinks Matt Hancock is the real pantomime villain and they both agree that the former adviser may have delivered one too many punches.Also on the podcast: retired paediatrician and campaigner Dr Ros Jones tells our co-pilots why she's concerned politicians are jumping the gun when it comes to children and vaccines, Allison and Liam lament the UK's Eurovision Song Contest entry and one of our hosts treats listeners to a musical interlude of their own.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 27th May from 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2021/05/27/planet-normal-dominic-cummings-has-done-intellect-disservice/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ | Listen to Choppers Politics: https://www.playpodca.st/chopper |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: [email protected] |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 doom cycle is all too much for this week's Planet Normal stowaway, Laura Dodsworth. The author and photographer has written a new book on the UK government's "weaponisation of fear" over the pandemic, and she joins Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan's rocket of reason to share her damning take on the "unethical" use of behavioural psychology over lockdown.Elsewhere on the podcast, our co-pilots celebrate a victory for common sense after Allison spearheaded a successful takedown of so-called "e-medicine", Liam proposes a solution to Britain's doctor shortage and one lucky listener wins a coveted Planet Normal mug.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 20th May from 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/05/20/life-inside-fear-factory-government-keeps-us-high-alert/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ | Listen to Chopper's Politics: https://www.playpodca.st/chopper |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: [email protected] |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 National Health Service or the National Covid Service? The latter, according to this week’s Planet Normal guest, Nick Stokes' whose beloved wife, Joy, was a casualty of the NHS’s transition to ’telemedecine’ after vital signs of her cancer were missed. She died just a few weeks ago. On this week's show, Nick entrusts Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan with his story, telling them how Joy was continually refused face-to-face appointments despite having suffered from the disease in the past, and why he believes the health service is guilty of a dereliction of duty. Elsewhere on the pod: Are things going south for Labour? Liam dissects what he hails as an 'astonishing' election result, particularly in the former Labour stronghold of Hartlepool, and Allison tells us why the real Opposition isn't Sir Keir Starmer, but the UK media.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 13th May from 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2021/05/11/joys-needless-death-should-cautionary-tale-gps-still-hiding/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ | Listen to Choppers Politics: https://www.playpodca.st/chopper |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: [email protected] |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.

Journalist Rod Liddle joins Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan to mark fifty voyages to Planet Normal. 1.5 million downloads later, Allison has finally learnt what a podcast is. On this week's birthday rocket, Rod tells our co-pilots why "Super Thursday" isn't really so super, and what it was really like editing the Today programme at the "monolithic" BBC.Also on the show: Allison shares a glimpse into her exploding mailbox following her recent calls for GP surgeries to end virtual appointments, Liam tells listeners why he believes Sir Keir Starmer has yet to successfully forge a centre-left coalition as the country goes to the polls, and there's a birthday surprise in store for our co-hosts.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 6th May from 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2021/05/06/rod-liddle-bbc-has-monolithic-culture/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ | Listen to Bryony Gordon's Mad World: https://www.playpodca.st/madworld |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: [email protected] |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.

Janet Daley, columnist for the Sunday Telegraph, plants the Stars and Stripes on Planet Normal this week. She shares her take on Biden’s first 100 days in office with fellow columnists Liam Halligan and Allison Pearson, and reveals why she thinks the United States’ lack of rooted identity is the cause of most of the country's issues today.Elsewhere, while most of the media is distracted by Number 10’s new curtains, Allison and Liam are more interested in the Post Office scandal, and they celebrate their Oscar predictions after this week's Academy Awards.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 29th April from 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/04/29/janet-daley-100-days-biden-president-doesnt-yet-know/ |Read Gordon Rayner: ‘Five reasons why June 21 won’t be the return to normal we thought’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/04/27/june-21-wont-much-return-normal-thought/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Read more from Janet Daley: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/janet-daley/ |Listen to Bryony Gordon's Mad World: https://www.playpodca.st/madworld |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: [email protected] |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.

David Owen, former Foreign Secretary and one of the SDP's Gang of Four, boards a flight to Planet Normal this week. He tells Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan why he thinks it's a problem that former Prime Ministers no longer join the House of Lords and expresses his regret that the late Shirley Williams didn't acknowledge her own potential. Plus David attempts to answer a seemingly simple question posed by Liam: is Boris Johnson a ‘great’ Prime Minister?Elsewhere, they think it's all over.... it is now! And by 'it' we mean the new European Super League of course. Allison and Liam get into what that news meant to your average football fan. Plus Allison reflects on the coverage of the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral, and those powerful images of the Queen sitting alone in the chapel. Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 22nd April from 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/04/22/david-owen-many-able-women-lack-confidence-shirley-williams/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Read how the ‘George Floyd Policing Act’ could limit policing powers in the US: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/04/20/will-derek-chauvins-conviction-change-us-policing/ |Read Laura Donnelly ‘Only 32 people hospitalised with COVID after having had vaccination’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/04/20/exclusive-just-32-people-hospital-covid-vaccination/ |Listen to Bryony Gordon's Mad World: https://www.playpodca.st/madworld |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: [email protected] |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.

Ray Bassett, former Irish diplomat lands on Planet Normal following some of the worst violence in Northern Ireland in decades. As one of the key architects of the Good Friday Agreement, he gives Telegraph columnists Liam Halligan and Allison Pearson the inside track on a turbulent week, and tells Planet Normal why he believes no side has truly stuck to the agreement. Plus Ray shares some disquieting words about the EU's implementation of post-Brexit border checks.Elsewhere, it's not only the weather that's frosty... Allison and Liam give a particularly cool reception to Boris Johnson’s recent attempts to credit the lockdown - and not the vaccine rollout - with a fall in UK Covid cases. Plus Allison pays a moving tribute to The Duke of Edinburgh ahead of his funeral on Saturday - and another listener scoops up a coveted Planet Normal mug for email of the week.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 15th April from 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/04/15/uk-ireland-should-strike-bilateral-deal-replace-northern-ireland/ |Sarah Knapton 'Quarter of Covid deaths not caused by virus, new figures show': https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/04/13/quarter-covid-deaths-not-caused-virus/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Listen to Bryony Gordon's Mad World: https://www.playpodca.st/madworld |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: [email protected] |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.

Dr Tony Sewell, chair of the commission behind the long-awaited government report into racial disparities, boards this week's rocket to Planet Normal. He tells Telegraph columnists Liam Halligan and Allison Pearson why a desperate attempt to discredit his findings prove their veracity, and why the term 'BAME' needs to go.Elsewhere, liberation from lockdown is edging into view, but will our co-pilots have their vaccine passports ready? Liam tells listeners why he thinks Boris Johnson's current lead in the polls could rest on the matter, while Allison speaks up for Telegraph readers concerned for their freedoms, and shares a particularly moving listener email.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 7th April from 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/04/07/dr-tony-sewell-people-desperate-silence-must-saying-something/ |For 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal |Read Sarah Knapton's reporting on third wave modelling: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/04/06/government-models-warning-third-wave-based-flawed-figures-telegraph/  |Read Philip Johnston 'The chilling truth is we may never be permitted to return to normality': https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/04/06/chilling-truth-may-never-permitted-return-normality/  |Read Telegraph exclusive: 'More than a fifth of Covid deaths at some hospitals after patients caught virus on wards' https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/03/31/exclusive-fifth-covid-deaths-hospitals-infections-caught-ward/  |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Listen to Bed of Lies: https://www.playpodca.st/bedoflies |Email: [email protected] |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.

Golf is back, "revellers" are enjoying the sunshine and tiny specks of normality are starting to reappear. They can't come soon enough for Telegraph columnists and Planet Normal co-pilots Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan, who this week celebrate "Happy Monday", struggle to crown just one "Numpty of the Week" and award coveted Planet Normal mugs to two moving listener emails.Boarding the rocket alongside them is Professor Ellen Townsend, leader of the University of Nottingham's Self Harm Research Group. With some disquieting words for the government, she tells our co-pilots why she thinks the UK should hang its head in shame over the way children have been treated over lockdown, and why it's not always easy to be a scientist who subscribes to the Great Barrington Declaration.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 1st April from 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2021/04/01/should-hang-heads-shame-way-have-treatedchildren-lockdown/ |Complete our podcast survey here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/planet_normal_survey |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |For 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal |Listen to Bed of Lies: https://www.playpodca.st/bedoflies |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: [email protected] |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.

Hugh Osmond, the businessman behind the Punch Taverns group lands on Planet Normal with some disquieting words about the failure of business groups to speak out for the one in ten Britons who work in hospitality. Plus, he gives Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan the inside track on his legal campaign to accelerate the sector's reopening.Also on the podcast: Allison shares exactly what was on her mind as lockdown marked a grim first anniversary, Liam tells us why he feels let down by some of his media colleagues, and (drumroll please) our co-pilots pick their listener of the week, winning a coveted Planet Normal mug.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 25th March from 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2021/03/25/business-groups-silence-lockdown-completely-pathetic-says-former/ |Read Allison's column from this time last year: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/life/lying-said-wasnt-anxious-coronavirus-have-faith-britain/ |Complete our podcast survey here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/planet_normal_survey |Listen to Chopper's Politics: https://www.playpodca.st/chopper |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: [email protected] |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.

Douglas Murray, author, political commentator and associate editor of The Spectator lands on Planet Normal alongside Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan. He tells us why protests, such as the Black Lives Matter marches and recent stands against female harassment, are an inevitable consequence of lockdowns. Plus he urges Britain to take a leaf out of the French book and reject the American-born culture wars.Also on the podcast: Liam makes a strong case for the AstraZeneca vaccine, Allison tells us why heavy handed policing at the vigil for Sarah Everard ‘could not have looked worse’, and our hosts share a special announcement for regular Planet Normal listeners.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 18th March from 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2021/03/18/french-have-rejected-american-culture-wars-cant/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Read more on coronavirus transmission in hospitals: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/03/13/two-thirds-serious-covid-cases-caught-virus-hospital-start-second/ |Listen to Brian Moore’s Full Contact Rugby podcast: https://www.playpodca.st/fullcontact |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: [email protected] |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.

Ben Houchen, Tees Valley Mayor lands on Planet Normal this week, as he tells Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan why Budget day was momentous for his region and why he's urging Rishi Sunak to make the entire country a freeport. Plus he reveals how he thinks the Conservative party can keep precious Red Wall seats.Also on the podcast: our hosts wonder if the pandemic has turned into a "casedemic", Liam takes issue with the lack of journalism in Harry and Meghan's Oprah interview, and Allison shares positive news about her Covid vaccination.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 11th March from 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2021/03/11/avoid-ideological-battles-do-workstees-valley-mayor-tells-tories/ |Complete our podcast survey here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/planet_normal_survey |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Listen to Chopper's Politics: https://www.playpodca.st/chopper |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: [email protected] |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.

Lady Carnarvon, owner of Highclere Castle, swaps "the real-life Downton Abbey" for Planet Normal. She tells our co-pilots why she thinks reopening England's heritage sites in May is too late and just how long it'll take for her company to pay back lockdown loans, plus she imagines how the Dowager Countess would handle the restrictions.Also on the podcast: Liam puts on his economist hat to dissect this week's Budget and Allison is delighted by President Macron's u-turn on giving the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine to over-65s. Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 4th March from 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2021/03/04/planet-normal-budget-has-left-uk-danger-zone/ |Complete our podcast survey here: telegraph.co.uk/planet_normal_survey |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: [email protected] |Listen to Brian Moore's Full Contact: https://www.playpodca.st/fullcontact |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.

Lord Grade, former chairman of the BBC and ITV and CEO of Channel 4, dons his spacesuit to join Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan on their trip to Planet Normal. He tells us why he's cheering on Laurence Fox's anti-woke crusade, how he's fed up with journalists trying to catch the government out and why diversity of opinion is sorely lacking in the UK media.Also on the podcast: Liam makes the case for extra government funding for catch-up lessons in schools, Allison questions why the UK is in one of the world's strictest lockdowns and one of our presenters tells us why they've come to resemble Cut-Throat Jake! Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 25th February from 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/02/25/rarely-cheer-television-cheered-laurence-fox-question-time-says/|Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: [email protected] |Listen to Brian Moore's Full Contact: https://www.playpodca.st/fullcontact |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.

Olympic medallist Sharron Davies MBE swaps her swimsuit for her spacesuit this week to join Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan on Planet Normal. And with the next games hanging in the balance, Sharron tells us what conditions athletes would accept to see the event go ahead, reflects on her time in the pool, and explains why she feels the rights of female athletes are being eroded.Also on the podcast: Allison sits on the fence on vaccine passports and Liam sets out why the next budget is the most important of his lifetime.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 18th February from 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/02/18/human-rights-females-trampled-olympic-swimmer-sharron-davies/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: [email protected] |Listen to Brian Moore's Full Contact: https://www.playpodca.st/fullcontact |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.

Dr John Lee, former NHS consultant pathologist blasts off to Planet Normal alongside Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan. He tells listeners why he believes the cost of coronavirus lockdowns has been hugely underestimated, and urges the government to take a look at the bigger picture. There is more to life than Covid, he tells us, as our co-pilots nod heartily in agreement.Also on the podcast: Allison opens up on a very personal struggle, Liam calls for the PM to reveal the roadmap out of lockdown, and the weekend's Six Nations result causes tension between our presenters.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 4th February from 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/02/11/scientists-should-last-people-running-society-claims-pathologist/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: [email protected] |Listen to Brian Moore's Full Contact: https://www.playpodca.st/fullcontact |Get 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 country loses a beacon of hope in Captain Sir Tom Moore, and this week Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan pay tribute to the former officer. And in the spirit of Captain Tom, they look forward and predict a bright future for the UK's vaccine rollout - if the EU doesn't attempt to derail it... again.And joining the rocket is Rod Grant, Headteacher of Clifton Hall School and Planet Normal listener, who tells us why he felt obliged to write in after seeing the devastating effect the pandemic is having on children's mental health. He tells the podcast why he's more concerned now than he's ever been over his three decades in the classroom, and proposes an alternative solution to full lockdown.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 4th February from 11am-12pm: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/02/04/children-frightened-go-playdates-fear-someone-will-die-result/|Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: [email protected] |Listen to Brian Moore's Full Contact: https://www.playpodca.st/fullcontact |Get 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal |Clip of Sir Captain Tom Moore courtesy of ITV's Piers Morgan Life StoriesSee 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.

University is the time of your life - unless you're living through a pandemic. Third-year student and listener, Lucy takes a ride in the Planet Normal rocket to tell Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan why her generation feels forgotten by the government, why she worries about her peers, and how the crisis has left her embarrassed to be a young scientist. Also on the podcast: Liam laments the reappearance of the Brexit wars in vaccine rhetoric, and Allison reveals some of our listeners' 'exotic' lockdown highlights. Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 28th January from 11am-12pm here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/2021/01/28/students-like-last-thing-governments-mind/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: [email protected] |Listen to The Juggling Act: www.playpodca.st/jugglingact |Get 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.

Sir Christopher Meyer, former British ambassador to the US makes his maiden voyage to Planet Normal as Donald Trump’s presidency comes to an end. He tells Telegraph columnists, Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan why it’s high time to abandon the idea of the “special relationship” and why we haven't heard the last of Mr Trump. Plus, as a former Chairman of the Press Complaints Commission, Sir Christopher tells us why he believes Brexit divisions have seeped into the UK’s pandemic coverage.Also on the show: Allison makes the case for lockdown scepticism, Liam delves into the latest covid statistics and one of our presenters shows off their Welsh.Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 21st January from 11am-12pm here:  https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/01/21/brexit-divisions-have-infected-covid-reporting-says-sir-christopher/|Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: [email protected] |Listen to The Juggling Act: www.playpodca.st/jugglingact |Get 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.

Sir Graham Brady, Chairman of the 1922 Committee dons his Planet Normal spacesuit, alongside co-pilots, Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan. The MP for Altrincham & Sale West makes a strong case for easing the lockdown once the most vulnerable are vaccinated, and wonders just how happy the Prime Minister can be imposing restrictions in the first place. Also on the podcast, Allison ensures the podcast is “substantial” with the addition of a scotch egg, Liam analyses whether excess deaths may have been driven by the policy response to covid and not by the virus itself, and one of our presenters gets all riled up about their big toe (yes, really!)Allison and Liam will be replying to comments beneath this article on Thursday 14th January from 11am-12pm here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/01/14/lockdown-measures-ludicrous-removing-hope-public-says-leading/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: [email protected] |Listen to The Juggling Act: www.playpodca.st/jugglingact |Get 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.

Commentator and author, Paul Embery joins the Planet Normal rocket alongside Telegraph columnists, Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan to discuss what he sees as the Labour Party’s big problem: losing working-class voters. Plus, you’re never more than two metres away from discussion of the lockdown on Planet Normal - Paul tells us why he thinks the latest coronavirus restrictions haven’t been subjected to enough scrutiny.Also on the podcast: Allison calculates just how few freedoms we have left, Liam makes the case for healthy discussion on alternative solutions to the UK’s covid crisis and the pair wonder if they can keep up dry January amid a deluge of bad news.Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: [email protected] |Get 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 we say goodbye to 2020, Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan take a trip down memory lane and look back at an extraordinary year with some of our star guests that have featured on Planet Normal. From our first guest, Alan Johnson giving his verdict on schools returning after lockdown to Sir Richard Dearlove, former head of M16 telling us that he believes that coronavirus started as an accident.Also on the podcast, as we try to bring some joy at the end of a rollercoaster year, singer and actress Patti Boulaye spreads some much-needed happiness. Patti reveals how she accidentally auditioned for 'Hair' the musical, why being part of the Queen's diamond jubilee was the highpoint of her career and Patti treats us to a brief performance! Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: [email protected] |Get 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normalSee 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.

Bake Off host Prue Leith puts on her spaceboots to join Planet Normal this week to tell Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan why she believes older people should not be a priority for the vaccine (including herself), that she's confident the restaurant industry will bounce back, and her scandalous secret to good custard (spoiler: it involves the shop-bought stuff!)Also on the podcast: Allison and Liam discuss the reaction to the new strain of the virus, Allison reveals that you wouldn't want to mess with her when it comes to monopoly, and we listen to some of your voicemails with your New Year government policies. Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: [email protected] |Get 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normalSee 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.

Former Australian diplomat, Mark Higgie joins Planet Normal this week to tell Telegraph columnists, Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan why he's got a good feeling about a Brexit trade deal, why it's inaccurate to dress 'no deal' up as 'Australian' and why he urges extreme caution in doing trade deals with China.Also on the podcast: Allison reveals how a well-placed NHS source says there is no real evidence for the whole of London to go into tier three restrictions, Liam speaks out against a potential Covid Christmas u-turn and we get an update from listener, Robert on a very happy reunion with his wife, Josephine in her care home. We're giving Planet Normal listeners the chance to feature on our Christmas podcasts. We want you to record a fifteen second voicemail message telling us why you love your trips to Planet Normal and suggesting one policy you think this government should adopt. All you need to do is call 07867 162 170 and leave a voicemail. Remember to tell us your name and where you're calling from! Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Get 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal |Email: [email protected] |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 a Brexit deal floats on thin ice, we take a dive into the fishing industry and speak to Brian Stuart from Fraserburgh in Scotland, who's been a fisherman for over two decades. Brian tells Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan why his fellow Scottish fisherman want Brexit at any cost, how they despair of the Common Fisheries Policy and why you have to be a bit mad to choose to spend your day on choppy waters!Also on the podcast, Liam explains why he thinks the vaccine is the Great Barrington Declaration in disguise, Allison feels let down by the mainstream media reporting of the pandemic and our presenters treat us to their best Maggie Thatcher impressions. Speak to Allison, Liam and your other favourite Telegraph writers by taking part in our charity phone-in. Call 0800 117 118 between 10.30am and 2.30pm on Sunday 13 December.|Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Get 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal |Email: [email protected] |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.

Matthew Goodwin, academic, author and Brex-pert takes his seat in the spaceship to Planet Normal, alongside Telegraph columnists and co-pilots, Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan. Professor Goodwin weighs in on why he thinks Boris Johnson urgently needs to 'reset his premiership', the very real possibility of a Labour-SNP coalition, and why he believes both Brexiteers and Remainers will blame each other for post-Brexit economic disruption.Also on the podcast: Liam laments the oncoming 'unemployment tsunami', Allison takes a stand against Christmas housework and both our hosts celebrate the Pfizer vaccine.Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Get 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal |Email: [email protected] |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.

Broadcaster Richard Madeley dons the spare spacesuit for this week's trip to Planet Normal. Richard tells Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan why he won't be blindly "following the science" but interrogating it, reveals why he feels let down by his profession when it comes to corona, and explains how his whole life was changed by the twist of a Rubix cube.Also on the podcast: Allison is fed up of being told that 'Christmas is saved', Liam breaks down the recent spending review and worries the economy could also suffer from 'long covid' and one of our presenters treats listeners to a festive musical interlude!Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Get 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal |Email: [email protected] |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.

Conservative MP, Steve Baker makes his debut Planet Normal voyage in this turbulent week in politics. As the deputy chair of the Covid Recovery Group, a group of Tory MPs against lockdowns, he tells Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan why a third lockdown could lead to an "enormous rebellion" in Parliament, why the PM must challenge SAGE more stringently and why he believes that Dominic Cummings leaving Downing Street won't impact upon Brexit. Also on the podcast: Allison queries whether now is the right time for the Government's green agenda, and Liam brings a 'Deal or No Deal' Brexit update and has a stark warning for the PM if he neglects the Red Wall voters that won him the last election.Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Get 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal |Email: [email protected] |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.

An extra special passenger in the Planet Normal rocket this week, as Telegraph columnists, Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan are joined by anonymous NHS GP and Planet Normal listener, 'Clare'. She explains how she feels the NHS is more the National Covid Service these days, how lockdown measures have tragically left some of her patients as "suicides waiting to happen", and why she thinks Matt Hancock could do with spending a day in her shoes.Also on the podcast: Allison and Liam rejoice at news a vaccine is on the horizon, gawp over the amount of money growing on the government's 'Magic Money Tree' and Allison laments her hometown of Wales cancelling 2021 school exams and warns England not to follow suit.Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Get 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal |Email: [email protected] |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.

Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan don their pilot gloves and make the voyage to Planet Normal, where they give their verdict on a bumpy week on both sides of the Atlantic. Lockdown returns in England, the US election keeps everyone guessing and Allison shares a positive update following last week's interview with Planet Normal listener, Robert, who had been separated from his wife, Josephine for months because of care home lockdown rules.Taking the passenger seat in our rocket of sanity this week is former Telegraph editor and author, Charles Moore. Fresh from the paperback publication of the third instalment of his biography of Margaret Thatcher, Charles reveals what Mrs Thatcher would have thought of Brexit and the lockdown. Plus, he admits he thinks the biggest problem in the fight against covid-19 is the NHS itself, and weighs in on the new BBC Director General, following speculation he was Number 10's top choice to become Chairman.Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Read the ONS Covid statistics - as mentioned in the podcast: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/conditionsanddiseases  |Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Get 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal |Email: [email protected] |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.

Every now and then, Planet Normal goes back to its roots and speaks to... a normal person. So joining Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan in the rocket this week is listener Robert, whom regulars will know as the man whose letter brought us all to tears.He wrote to Planet Normal about not being able to visit his beloved wife, Josephine in her care home due to lockdown rules. He tells Allison that while he and Jo have recently celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary, their relationship almost ended after a snowball fight many years ago, and why he's now calling for ministers to start thinking more about older citizens when considering restrictions. So Allison and Liam join Robert in asking "Do you Care Minister?" of Care Minister Helen Whately, and demand answers for the thousands of Roberts and Josephines kept apart. Plus, Liam calls for some schools to stay open during the holidays and Allison supports the naked shoppers in South Wales!Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Listen to The Trump Card: https://www.playpodca.st/trump |Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Get 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal |Email: [email protected] |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.

Buckle your seatbelts, Planet Normal is set to blast off for another week with it's esteemed pilots, Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan. This week we discuss how some Northern leaders are raring to tell the PM to sod off if he imposes more restrictions in their areas, Allison gives her reaction to the latest lockdown in her hometown (she's not happy folks!) and Liam thinks coronavirus could have a surprising positive impact on Brexit trade talks.Joining the voyage this week is chairman of JCB, Lord Anthony Bamford. The businessman joins us to talk about the 75th anniversary of the firm, the exciting green future of the humble digger, and his verdict on how Boris Johnson is handling the pandemic.Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Listen to The Trump Card: https://www.playpodca.st/trump |Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Get 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal |Email: [email protected] |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.

Hold onto your helmets, it's another explosive week for Planet Normal, where Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan discuss their fears for tiers, shed light on some underreported positive coronavirus survival stats and how Liam almost abandoned us for Number 10. And filling the passenger seat this week is former BBC star and broadcasting legend Sue Cook. The former Crimewatch and Nationwide presenter airs her disappointment at the BBC’s pandemic coverage, why she now struggles to defend the license fee and shows off her stellar Welsh accent to Planet Normal’s resident Welshwoman.Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Listen to The Trump Card: https://www.playpodca.st/trump |Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Get 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal |Email: [email protected] |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.