Summer continues on Planet Normal! In this, the second 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 the year so far. In January Liam interviewed legendary former frontman of The Undertones, turned water campaigner, Feargal Sharkey. As well as discussing the state of the UK’s waterways Liam and Feargal also discussed relations between Ireland and the UK post Brexit, as well as his colourful...
Aug 07, 2024•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast Joining Liam for a very special Planet Normal exclusive interview is the front-runner in the race to succeed Rishi Sunak as Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch. Fresh from announcing her bid, the MP for North West Essex joins Liam to discuss immigration, trade deals and how she thinks she can take the party forwards as leader of the opposition. Also joining them is former Tory MP for Bournemouth Conor Burns who discusses his experience in light of the recent bullying allegations against Kemi. Wat...
Aug 02, 2024•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s summer on Planet Normal so in this the first 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 the year so far. Back in January, just after the realities of the Post Office Scandal had come to the fore courtesy of a hard-hitting ITV drama, Allison spoke to an anonymous insider from Fujitsu, the Japanese company that designed and managed the Horizon online accounting system that had caused ...
Jul 31, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast The rocket blasts off for a final voyage before its summer break but there’s no shortage of madness to navigate before then. What did your co-pilots make of Keir Starmer’s first outing at Prime Minister’s Questions? Not to mention the political developments from across the pond.. Allison isn’t impressed with the front runners in the Conservative party leadership contest. Nor the Labour party’s two child benefit cap which Liam believes the implications of which could potentially hamper growth. St...
Jul 24, 2024•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast Joining Liam in the cockpit this week for a very special extended interview is Professor Matthew Goodwin. As the rocket blasts into a new political era with a Labour government at the helm, Matthew explains why he thinks Keir Starmer’s party could be unpopular very quickly, and debates with Liam how the Conservative Party could pull back a vital share of voters that they lost to Reform UK. Our popular analyst also gives his take on the political antics happening across the pond, and why he...
Jul 17, 2024•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast After a Labour landslide win (as predicted by your co-pilots) the rocket orbits into a new political galaxy, but is it the same old madness? Allison delivers some hard truths to the Conservative party whom she thinks deserve ‘oblivion’ should they fail to come to the ‘correct conclusion’ on their new leader. Whereas Liam thinks the Tories need to take their time when deciding their next leader and think carefully about the rules of the contest. Joining your co-pilots on the rocket this week is f...
Jul 10, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Transcript available on Metacast This episode of Planet Normal was recorded on Wednesday the 3rd July before the polls opened for the general election. Six weeks of election campaigning have come to an end and what a campaign it has been, with no shortage of political gaffes on either side of the Channel as the first round of voting in France has National Rally, formerly headed by Marine LePen, on the cusp of power and Macron’s gamble backfiring. Meanwhile across the pond the co-pilots give their thoughts on the debate between ...
Jul 03, 2024•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast The temperature is heating up on the rocket this week, as the whole country basks in a heatwave but is the election shade being thrown threatening to spoil your co-pilots fun in the sun? Allison spills the beans on her trip to the campaign trail with Reform UK Leader, Nigel Farage and claims that, in her view, a vote for the party isn’t a wasted one. Whilst Liam is worried about the potential judiciary changes an incoming Labour government might make and the effect they could have on our democra...
Jun 26, 2024•59 min•Transcript available on Metacast With the rocket hurtling towards the election, what do its inhabitants make of the latest manifesto madness? In light of the latest inflation figures Liam thinks the Conservatives need to be more honest about tax hikes, whilst Allison thinks that Reform’s policies are what should have been in the Conservative Party Manifesto, and might help pull back some disillusioned voters. Also joining your co-pilots for a return mission to the rocket is journalist and the Social Democratic Party candidate f...
Jun 19, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of Planet Normal, your co-pilots strap into the rocket with Leader of Reform UK, Nigel Farage. In a true rocket grilling Nigel responds to people saying his party is racist, reveals how many votes he expects to win at the upcoming election, and if he really would stand down candidates in Tory marginal seats. Also on this episode with Labour heading for a big majority, what do your co-pilots make of the party manifestos hitting the headlines this week? Liam thinks the Tory manifes...
Jun 12, 2024•2 hr 33 min•Transcript available on Metacast Whilst co-pilot Pearson takes a well earned break from the rocket Liam is joined by a temporary co-pilot and fellow right thinker, Baroness Claire Fox. Political fur is flying in wake of the first election television debate, but who do Claire and Liam think came out on top? Claire thinks that the competing parties are underestimating the needs of the electorate in their mandate material. Whilst Liam thinks the parties aren’t doing enough to convince the public of their long term ...
Jun 05, 2024•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast This special anniversary episode was recorded live in front of an audience of Planet Normal citizens, from Cadogan Hall in London. The beloved rocket gains a few extra passengers this week as our third Planet Normal live event takes off! Your co-pilots give their thoughts on the upcoming election alongside some very special guests. The first revered stowaway on the rocket this week is Lord David Frost, who reveals how he tried to save the Conservative Party from themselves. Also strapping in for...
May 29, 2024•2 hr 38 min•Transcript available on Metacast **Today's episode was recorded before the General Election announcement** There’s not one but two scandals to comment on this week as both the infected blood and Post office inquiries are front and centre. And both co-pilots share impassioned views about the latest ‘cacophony of woe’ coming from both. Allison thinks that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s response was unacceptable in the face of a ‘state sponsored massacre’. Whilst Liam says more eyes should be on the civil service in these inqui...
May 22, 2024•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast In an exclusive interview with co-pilot Pearson, Academy Award winning actor Kevin Spacey straps into the rocket to give his response to the recent Channel 4 documentary with allegations about inappropriate sexual conduct. Elsewhere Rishi Sunak’s political plight is as unpredictable as the British weather. But what do your co-pilots make of his latest stream of policies? Allison ponders whether the country has ever gone into a general election with two such unpopular potential leaders which she ...
May 15, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Transcript available on Metacast With the local elections across England and Wales all over, who were the real winners and losers? And did the Tories really get hammered? Only your co-pilots have the answers. Liam ponders whether the Tory Party can hold it together long enough to get some sort of bounce back from potential impending economic uplifts. Whilst Allison thinks Tory mutiny is no longer a threat and that the plotters have given up all chance of a potential new leader. And what about Reform’s Nigel Farage? Will he? Won...
May 08, 2024•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast Election fever has reached the rocket this week as the co-pilots await the results from local polling stations up and down the country. And there’s nothing short of a tsunami of politics in Scotland. Allison thinks the progressive Left are finally being confronted by the consequences of their policies in light of First Minister, Humza Yousaf’s resignation. Whilst Liam thinks Scotland’s leadership decision will play a crucial part determining Labour’s future in the country....
May 01, 2024•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast Strapping into the rocket this week and calling for the resignation of Met Police Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, is former Home Secretary and Conservative MP Suella Braverman. She also explains why she thinks it’s time we left the European Convention of Human Rights and her exasperation at her party's 'scramble for the centre-ground'. Elsewhere on the podcast, Allison is convinced the passing of the Rwanda Bill is Rishi Sunak’s desperate last trump card, while Liam asks the question: have recent...
Apr 24, 2024•59 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Battle of Brussels With co-pilot Pearson making a triumphant return to the rocket this week there’s much madness to discuss including the Cass report, what the Office of Budget Responsibility is really about and some drama from Brussels… Joining your co-pilots to share what really happened at the explosive National Conservative Conference in Brussels is MP Miriam Cates, who explains why the events that unfolded were so chilling for our freedom of speech. Allison also reveals some exclusive e...
Apr 17, 2024•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast Baroness Claire Fox straps into the cockpit this week to take the helm and tackle the madness alongside co-pilot Halligan. And there's no shortage of febrile pre-election news on the horizon. In light of the publication of the highly anticipated Cass Report, Baroness Fox celebrates the media’s balanced reaction. Liam ponders whether Reform UK could reinvigorate the debate about proportional representation, should they win enough seats in the upcoming local and general electio...
Apr 10, 2024•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast There’s a lot of madness orbiting the rocket this week as your co-pilots tackle the latest ghastly news from the NHS and author JK Rowling's reaction to the latest SNP legislation, not to mention the redesign of our Union Jack for the Olympics. Allison thinks we could be on the way to a ‘backdoor blasphemy’ law in light of Scotland's hate crime bill. Whilst Liam agrees and is disappointed with the Scottish media’s coverage of the law maker’s decision. Returning to the rocket for his second voyag...
Apr 03, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast New immigration figures will be causing another headache for Rishi Sunak and strapping into the cockpit this week is Former Minister for Immigration Robert Jenrick, who reveals the events in the lead up to his resignation and how the PM refused to acknowledge the issue of immigration. As the Tory meltdown continues with more MP’s putting themselves up for hire, could it all be over for the Country’s leading Party before the local elections in May? Allison is convinced the upcoming electio...
Mar 28, 2024•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast With potential Conservative Party mutiny still bubbling away, there’s a rare moment of disagreement in the Planet Normal cockpit this week over a potential Tory leadership change Liam is convinced that a leadership will make an inevitable election loss much worse, whilst Allison is adamant that with a new ‘proper’ Tory party leader would persuade Conservative voters not to stay home. And co-pilot Pearson shares her outrage at the latest royal drama surrounding the Princess of Wales. A...
Mar 21, 2024•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast There is no rest in the political news cycle this week, but are recent events enough to trigger a political earthquake or just another tremor? In light of Lee Anderson jumping ship from the Tory Party to Reform UK, Allison thinks the Conservatives won't hold onto a single Red Wall seat won in the 2019 election, and worries that everything in our country has a 'social justice agenda’. There’s also time to weigh in on the ongoing Covid Inquiry, which Liam thinks ...
Mar 14, 2024•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Chancellor has revealed his Budget but the rocket of right-thinking has spotted a shadowy figure on the horizon heading towards Mr Hunt - the Office for Budget Responsibility. Strapping into the rocket to help navigate the nuances is Helen Thomas from Blonde Money, a former advisor to then-Chancellor George Osborne. Helen thinks that the ghost of ignoring the OBR in the now infamous Autumn Budget of 2021 is haunting the current government, and making them over cautious. Liam thinks the OBR i...
Mar 07, 2024•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast As co-pilot Pearson is away this week Liam is joined by special guest Telegraph Defence Editor Danielle Sheridan, to discuss the issue of the military housing plan that has barracks up and down the country up in arms, and how Allison and Danielle's reporting sparked a huge response from the Ministry of Defence. Danielle explains to Liam why military personnel are so fed up with their standard of accommodation and why she thinks this issue might be affecting military retention at ...
Feb 29, 2024•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast This episode was recorded before the evening's events in the House of Commons. You can read more here on the Telegraph's live blog: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/02/21/rishi-sunak-latest-news-atkins-labour-snp-gaza/#comment It was a double by-election blow for the Conservative Party as Labour claimed victory in Wellingborough and Kingswood. In what is now a common occurence the third by election next week in Rochdale sees your co-pilots welcome standing candidate George Gallow...
Feb 22, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Give children brick phones, not smartphones, says this week's guest on the rocket of right thinking, Sophie Winkleman. The Peep Show star gives an insight into her plea to promote screen free learning for children and finds time to share a sprinkling of showbiz gossip on the rocket… Plus your co-pilots experience some déja-vu, as the Tories demonstrate another set of 'barely managed meltdowns.' But is the Prime Minister really ‘sticking to the plan?’ Liam gives his take on the latest stagna...
Feb 15, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Transcript available on Metacast As inflation drops, anger on the rocket rises, at the issue of illegal immigration and asylum seekers in light of the shocking chemical attack in London. Plus, where do your co-pilots stand on Liz Truss' ‘Pop Con’? Liam thinks that immigration could well overtake the economy as the number one issue for voters in the upcoming election and closely impending by-elections. Allison feels the rise in smaller groups such as Reform and the new ‘Pop Con’ is merely a reflection of mass frustration at...
Feb 08, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week your co-pilots are busy celebrating the anniversary of Brexit and the subsequent birth of Planet Normal. But aside from a hit podcast, what does the country really have to show from the referendum? Liam thinks that the people talking down the economy since the referendum often underestimate UK, and that our GDP growth is actually on par with other countries in the EU. Allison meanwhile is seething at another scandal afoot with British universities, which she believes is causing an ‘apa...
Feb 01, 2024•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast Just when the UK has finished surviving a battering from storm Isha Talk of Tory regicide is blowing its way in with storm Jocelyn. It’s safe to say your co-pilots are in for a turbulent week on the rocket. Allison is still in favour of Conservatism which she thinks a leadership change could help encourage, whilst Liam thinks that talk of a possible revolt be put to bed until after the general election, to ‘save the Country’s nervous system’. Will the upcoming by-elections in Well...
Jan 25, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
