Planet Normal

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 feel that have spoken out against the mainstream.

Previous stowaways Sir Graham Brady, Professor Pat Price, Laura Dodsworth, Lord David Frost, Luke Johnson, Lord Jonathan Sumption and the infamous 'George' all strap in to share where they were in March 2020, reveal what they think the collateral damage has been, as well as how they think historians will remember it.

And co-pilots Pearson and Halligan delve into the  rocket’s bulging mail bag once more to share listeners' own retrospectives from the lockdown.

Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |

Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/a/ak-ao/allison-pearson/ |

Listen to Ukraine: The Latest: www.playpodca.st/ukraine|

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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 helm of a ‘covid podcast’.

Both are in no doubt that the pandemic has changed them. Allison feels she has lost a trust in authority as a result, whilst Liam feels he’s become steelier at arguing his opinion, after speaking out against mainstream thought.

Also joining our co-pilots on this very special voyage is Anders Tegnell the State Epidemiologist for Sweden during the pandemic. Hailed as a ‘pandemic hero’ Anders shares his observations from Sweden’s vastly different approach in comparison to the UK and the rest of the world.

And our co-pilots delve deep into the mailbag to look back on some of the listeners' own contemplations from the Covid-19 lockdown.

A special thank you to Linköping University for recording our interview with Anders Tegnell.

Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |

Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/a/ak-ao/allison-pearson/ |

Listen to a full length version of the Int with Anders Tegnell: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/03/23/anders-tegnell-swedens-pandemic-plan-lockdown-never-agenda/

Listen to Chopper’s Politics: https://www.playpodca.st/chopper |

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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.

Co-pilot Pearson has been sent off on a special mission (more on that to come) so Telegraph Associate Editor Ben Wright is keeping her seat warm. So: are we on course for a rocky economic ride?

Liam is quietly optimistic that this ‘steady as she goes budget’ is better than anticipated, and could help erase the scars of former Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng's mini Autumn Budget. 

Whilst Ben worries that the Chancellor's calm ‘bedside manner’ could be treating the symptoms rather than addressing the real problems.

And both co-pilots ponder the position of the opposition and question whether Labour could be a safer pair of hands to move the country forwards into smoother economic waters.

Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |

Read more from Ben: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/b/ba-be/ben-wright/ |

Listen to Chopper’s Politics: https://www.playpodca.st/chopper |

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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 Prime Minister's strong words this week about stopping them. 

Allison argues that if we have to leave the European Convention of Human Rights to gain control of borders then so be it, and Liam worries that this could be the latest battle in the culture wars to get really nasty. 

Plus joining our co-pilots on the sanctuary of sweet reason is former Chancellor of the Exchequer and Westminster legend Lord Nigel Lawson, who gives his assessment on current Conservative tax policies and reflects on the lasting legacy of the Thatcher government. Not one to be missed.

And one brave listener makes a surprise plea in defense of Matt Hancock - shocking even themselves - in wake of the Telegraph's Lockdown Files.

Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |

Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/a/ak-ao/allison-pearson/ |

Listen to Ukraine: the latest: https://www.playpodca.st/ukraine |

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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 Telegraph's Lockdown Files give us a 'jaw-dropping' insight into the mayhem behind decision-making in the pandemic. Liam thinks the leaked messages will have a profound impact on the public inquiry into Covid-19.

The FBI chief's admission that the virus likely leaked from a Chinese lab is cause for cheer on the rocket, as so-called conspiracy theorists are finally vindicated.

Also climbing into the capsule of common sense is Director of Don't Divide Us, Dr Alka Sehgal Cuthbert, who shares her concerns about children being taught that Britain is systematically racist and warns parents to be alert to indoctrination in schools.

And our co-pilots pay tribute to the late Baroness Betty Boothroyd.

Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |

Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/a/ak-ao/allison-pearson/ |

Listen to Chopper’s Politics: https://www.playpodca.st/chopper |

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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 well on the rocket…

Our co-pilots are appalled at the news that Roald Dahl’s books are being re-written. Liam labels the move cultural vandalism, with Allison declaring it is grotesque censorship. So with 'woke totalitarianism' taking hold, is any literature safe?

Also strapping into the rocket of right thinking this week is economist and author, Dr Jerome Booth, who warns our co-pilots about the dangers of groupthink shutting down debate, as evidenced in particular during the Covid-19 pandemic.

And finally, Allison gives her take on the verdict of Shamima Begum’s appeal to reclaim her UK citizenship. 

Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |

Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/a/ak-ao/allison-pearson/ |

Read '‘I was a sensitivity reader – until I realised why I was hired’ https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/0/confessions-sensitivity-reader-had-no-power-sanitise-books/ |

Listen to Chopper’s Politics: https://www.playpodca.st/chopper |

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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 row, it’s far from a quiet week on the rocket.

Liam thinks Sturgeon's determination to have her own way on gender identity issues ultimately led to her downfall. Allison believes she ran out of road on Scottish independence, and predicts Labour could be the biggest benefactors of her shock exit.

Also stepping into the sanctuary of sweet reason is author and journalist Peter Hitchens, who joins our co-pilots to discuss his latest book ‘A Revolution Betrayed’ all about the ‘gigantic losses’ the country has suffered as a result of getting rid of grammar schools.

And finally our co-pilots talk UFOs...

Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |

Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/a/ak-ao/allison-pearson/ |

Listen to the full interview with Peter Hitchens: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2023/02/16/planet-normal-brits-suffering-gigantic-loss-consequence-getting/|

Listen to Off Script: www.playpodca.st/offscript|

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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 their hot take.

Liam thinks the Former PM has moved the needle in the economic debate, and forced those who tore down her ideas to think again. Allison was left concerned about how much influence the OBR really has on economic policy.

Also boarding the rocket this week is Telegraph Science Editor, Sarah Knapton, who tells our co-pilots how was left 'bruised' by her experiences reporting on Covid and pushing back against the mainstream narrative. She also weighs in on the issue of the vaccine and whether young people should be encouraged to get it.

And our co-pilots dive into the bursting mail bag once again, to read your emails.

Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |

Read Liam’s Twitter Thread on the OBR: https://twitter.com/LiamHalligan/status/1622196572757934081?s=20&t=fZuOC7qlN_hu4Quf9raagw

Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/a/ak-ao/allison-pearson/ |

Read Liz Truss's essay: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2023/02/04/liz-truss-downing-street-reflection-mini-budget-boris-johnson/|

Listen to Off Script: www.playpodca.st/offscript|

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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 decision to leave the EU.

Allison argues the current government is obstructing the Brexit we voted for, whilst Liam feels the benefits of leaving the EU have been hampered by the pandemic and war in Ukraine.

Also boarding the rocket of right thinking this week is journalist and author, Ross Clark, who straps in to tell our co-pilots why climate change might not be the catastrophe we have all been sold as well as the potentially dangerous impacts of the poorly thought through net zero agenda.

And Bob the bard strikes again…

Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |

Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/a/ak-ao/allison-pearson/ |

Listen to Chopper’s Politics: https://www.playpodca.st/chopper |

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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 death by one too many scandals for the Sunak Government?

The residents of the rocket are appalled by the latest ‘petty’ Westminster developments. Allison worries that Rishi Sunak is merely a ‘timid technocrat’ not fit to lead, whilst Liam thinks the PM needs to start following his instinct and stop ‘governing by focus groups.'

Also climbing aboard the capsule of common sense is Conservative MP Miriam Cates, who was shouted down during a heated debate over transgender rights in the House of Commons. Miriam explains her concerns about Scotland's gender bill and the potentially harmful impacts of gender ideology on young people.

And co-pilot Halligan answers the all important question... what exactly is a gigafactory?

Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |

Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/a/ak-ao/allison-pearson/ |

Listen to Off Script: www.playpodca.st/offscript|

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