Labour! Leave our kids alone

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 |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Learn more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk |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.

2 Mar 202357min

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 |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Learn more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk |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.

23 Feb 202356min

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|Need help subscribing or reviewing? Learn more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk |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.

16 Feb 202356min

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_hu4Quf9raagwRead 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|Need help subscribing or reviewing? Learn more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk |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.

9 Feb 202349min

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 |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Learn more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk |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.

2 Feb 202359min

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|Need help subscribing or reviewing? Learn more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk |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.

26 Jan 202357min

Just when you thought the strikes couldn't get worse, teachers have decided to join the wave of walkouts. But who do our co-pilots think will come out top of the class?Allison thinks the move to strike is disgraceful after children already missed out on so much school during lockdown. While Liam believes teachers will struggle to gain as much public support for their strike as nurses.In more positive news on the rocket this week, our co-pilots praise Westminster's decision to block Scotland’s gender recognition bill.Plus, boarding the capsule of common sense is Professor Angus Dalgleish, who delivers some harsh truths about the state of the NHS and warns that in order to reform the health service we must radically change its structure.And resident economist Halligan breaks down the latest inflation concerns...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 How to become a dictator: https://podfollow.com/how-to-become-a-dictator |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Learn more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk |Enjoy one whole year for just £59 with a Digital Subscription: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/livewell|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.

19 Jan 202353min

It's a brand new year on Planet Normal and while the rocket has been taking a well earned break there has been a tsunami of news.Our co-pilots deliver a no-holds-barred review of Prince Harry’s bombshell book, declaring it a ‘pathetic’ attack on the media that will only result in more supposedly unwanted attention.Closer to home, as industrial strife and an NHS in crisis strain the Sunak Government, Allison and Liam agree the Labour party is looking more and more like a viable alternative.Also hopping on board the rocket is author, podcaster and comedian Konstantin Kisin. He tells our co-pilots why, as an immigrant himself, he believes the UK needs to do more to tackle illegal immigration. Konstantin also shares tis thoughts on the latest developments on the war in Ukraine.And there is a new update from NHS insider ‘George’…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|Need help subscribing or reviewing? Learn more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk |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.

12 Jan 202358min