Planet Normal

You can watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/v0ptnvQnGUQ

This week on Planet Normal your co-pilots of sanity, Liam Halligan and Allison Pearson, navigate the wreckage of the UK’s two-party system as seismic local and devolved elections loom on May 7th. With the UK inflation rate remaining a major concern and the Strait of Hormuz effectively blockaded by Iran, the duo examines how geopolitical instability is hitting Br...

This week on the rocket, co-pilots Halligan and Pearson dive into the political firestorm engulfing Westminster as Sir Keir Starmer faces intense scrutiny over the botched appointment of Peter Mandelson as Ambassador to the US. Following explosive evidence from former civil servant Sir Olly Robbins, the duo explores the ‘process-driven’ culture of the current government and whether it is shielding a lack of transparency.

Liam ex...

You can watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-e1x0gsvjfY

This week on the rocket, co-pilots Halligan and Pearson eye a horizon of storm clouds gathering over Britain’s economy and national security.

Liam breaks down the "serious downgrade" from the IMF, which predicts the UK will suffer more economic fallout from the war in Iran than any other major economy. He asks if the government is blaming external conflicts f...

You can watch this episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/B0VweeU7QlA

This week on Planet Normal, your co-pilots navigate their way from the high-stakes geopolitics of the Strait of Hormuz to the local battlegrounds of the South London Waitrose middle aisle, they examine whether common sense has gone to die - and whether the UK is becoming ‘Blighty no-mates’ on the world stage.

Pondering the paradox of a superpower that can sen...

In this week’s dispatch from the sanctuary of sweet reason, co-pilots Pearson and Halligan examine a growing sense of national insecurity as Britain faces a big economic hit from the US-Iran war and the systemic economic vandalism of a new tax year. 

The duo discuss the ongoing scandal of NHS waiting lists, with Alison analysing the apparent waiting list cleansing and the statistical chicanery used to massage figures ahead ...

You can watch this episode in full on YouTube: https://youtu.be/z53vu3azxZs

In this week’s dispatch from the sanctuary of sweet reason, your co-pilots of sanity Liam Halligan and Allison Pearson, address the rise of antisemitic attacks in Britain, including the chilling firebombing of Jewish charity ambulances in North London. 

Alison shares her continuing case against Essex’s police and crime commissioner, as well as th...

You can watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/QVXFsa07Rpo

In this week’s dispatch from the sanctuary of sweet reason, co-pilots Pearson and Halligan examine a growing sense of national insecurity as Britain faces a perfect storm of energy, military, and financial fragility, and the unfolding meningitis outbreak.

With oil climbing back above $100 a barrel and the Strait of Hormuz remaining shut, Liam argues that it i...

You can watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/uRceQCyRYIU

It’s markets this, oil prices that, and what will happen next, so your co-pilots are blasting in to make sense of the tsunami of news flooding across the globe from the Middle East and the war with Iran.

Allison points to the shame of all governments for not protecting British interests and defence strategy has left us woefully unprepared for any disruption t...

You can watch this episode on youtube: https://youtu.be/KQ1dUe4FxZ0

As conflict with Iran hots up across the Middle East, your co-pilot blast in to make sense of the madness.

Strapping into the rocket is Dr Alan Mendoza, Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Henry Jackson Society to give his expertise on the conflict and how the ‘special relationship’ is faring as the PM holds back on British intervention.

Allison think...

You can watch this recording on YouTube: https://youtu.be/lFRwaTYK-mM

Your co-pilots have braved the atmosphere of planet Earth as the rocket touches down at the Emmanuel Centre in London for a live recording of Planet Normal! 

To mark the occasion, your co-pilots are joined by two of the most fearless voices to navigate a country they fear is currently on an ‘economic cliff edge’. 

The first revered stowaway on ...

Book your tickets for Planet Normal: LIVE on the 24th February: telegraph.co.uk/planetnormallive |

You can watch this episode of Planet Normal on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_jt6Hy7NYvU

On this week’s flight through the sanctuary of sweet reason, co-pilots Pearson and Halligan examine the rapid rise of Reform’s new "Shadow Cabinet," including Robert Jenrick’s debut as Shadow Chancellor and his mission to position the party as t...

Book your tickets for Planet Normal: LIVE on the 24th February: telegraph.co.uk/planetnormallive |

You can watch this episode of Planet Normal on YouTube: https://youtu.be/LFlJivPsT9A

Following a scorching column by their colleague Ambrose Evans-Pritchard, co-pilots Pearson and Halligan discuss whether Britain is becoming "ungovernable" as sovereign bond yields spiral and the Prime Minister appears increasingly held hostage b...

Book your tickets for Planet Normal: LIVE on the 24th February: telegraph.co.uk/planetnormallive |

You can watch this episode of Planet Normal on YouTube: https://youtu.be/wh42OqWtzDA

As the Prime Minister vows to release the ‘Mandelson Files’ pressure on who knew what, and when is mounting on Labour. Repeat stowaway former head of Mi6 Sir Richard Dearlove is on hand to give his expert analysis on the unfolding situation.

...

You can watch this episode of Planet Normal on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/4f7eZbkA91Q

It's been a week of defections, rejections and tantrums in the world of politics, and your co pilots are here to wade through the madness. 

After the Telegraph published an article outlining the role Starmer took in prosecuting soldiers your co-pilots speak to General Sir Peter Wall to delve deeper into the scandal.

Allison thin...

You can watch this episode of Planet Normal on YouTube: https://youtu.be/mwWiWA21r1U

The rocket of right thinking is back with a blast and a very special defector is aboard.

Robert Jenrick is strapped in to tell our intrepid co-pilots why he has joined Reform UK and why he thinks the Conservatives didn’t deserve ‘a second chance’.

Your co-pilots return to the cockpit to navigate a world that has grown increasingly volatile in ...

The winter break continues on Planet Normal! In this, the third and final part of the three part best of the rocket series, our co-pilots take a look back at some of their most explosive voyages on the rocket of right thinking from 2025, before our intrepid co-pilots return next week!

Back in November Liam spoke to Scottish born Rosie Kay who enjoyed a highly successful international career as a performer and choreographer, and ...

In our second episode of the Best of the Rocket 2025, co-pilots Pearson and Halligan dive deep into the past year’s archives and bring you some of their most intriguing and provocative voyages on the rocket of right thinking, from this past year.

This week the Rocket has made a stop at Westminster with Conservative MP Helen Whately, coming on board to discuss her having one of the toughest briefs in politics - identifying welfar...

In this, the first of the Best of the Rocket 2025, co-pilots Pearson and Halligan dig into the data files for some of their most explosive voyages on the rocket of right thinking from this year.

There’s been no shortage of madness on the rocket over the past few months, the peak of which was definitely when Chancellor Rachel Reeves cried in the Commons and the leader of the RMT said ‘stuff it’ to the markets.

There’s also bee...

It’s a Merry Christmas from the Rocket of right thinking at Planet Normal to everyone stuck on Planet Earth

Your intrepid co-pilots reflect on a year of political thrills and economic spills, honouring the "citizens of Planet Normal" while handing out awards to the figures in public life who impressed - and those who most certainly did not. 

Amidst the Christmas cheer, your hosts offer a heartfelt thank you to their "int...