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. All residents on the rocket are in agreement that the media should respect her privacy as she convalesces.  Joining your co-pilots this week is SDP Mayor of London Candidate ‘socially right, economically left, Amy Gallagher who explains why she thinks Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby’s recent comments on politics make him sound more like an MP than a religious leader. And Bob the Bard makes a joyous return to the rocket’s mailbag… 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 Kemi Badenoch: Britain’s diversity drive has backfired: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/03/20/kemi-badenoch-britain-diversity-drive-backfired/ | Watch Amy Gallagher’s documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4v1cb04vB4 | 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 | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 has become a ‘farce’ and wonders why it has disappeared from the news. Joining your co-pilots this week is filmmaker Martin Durkin, who straps in to chat to your co-pilots about some of the home truths revealed in his latest film 'CLIMATE THE MOVIE'. And Allison gives her take on Cillian Murphy’s eyes in wake of the latest Academy Awards. 'The Climate Movie' (A Cold Truth) is released on 21st March on Youtube and other platforms Allison Pearson is a board member of The Global Warming Policy Foundation, a think-tank that wants open debate on climate policy.  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 Allison:’Lee Anderson was right: We want our country back’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2024/03/12/i-know-why-britain-is-so-miserable-lost-minority-nonsense/ | 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 | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 is at loggerheads with the Treasury as the Chancellor wanted to give a big cut to grab headlines but he had to compromise with a cheaper option. And Co-Pilot Pearson, aka Velma, also has some concerns about these spooky shenanigans - namely that the government has missed the mark by not addressing first time buyers and social mobility. Plus, as ever, we delve into the bulging PN mailbag. 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 Allison: 'Stop being scared of Islamophobia. Start worrying about Anglophobia' https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2024/03/05/the-government-new-extremism-laws-needs-engage-muslim-women/ 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 | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 a time when presenting a united military front to face ongoing conflict across Europe is so vital. And there’s also time for a quick glimpse into the bulging PN mailbag. 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 Danielle Sheridan: ‘Army housing plan that caused revolt among military wives paused for fear of losing ‘good people’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/02/27/military-wives-mod-housing-army-james-cartlidge/ | Read Allison’ Watch out MoD, you take away an Army wife’s home at your peril’ :https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/02/23/army-wives-lives-military-families-torn-up-new-conditions/ | 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 | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Galloway onto the rocket to hear his fighting talk. He argues the Labour Party have brought ‘disgrace’ to the constituency and that his party is ‘ready to punish them’. He also puts forward his case for bringing Boris Johnson back as leader of the Conservatives… Liam thinks that despite the polls predictions, we might see a closer General Election result than people expect. And Allison, who has taken umbrage with Party Leader Penny Mordaunt’s politics in the past, still champions her as a better leader than the current PM. And your co-pilots salute the genius that was Dad’s Army and take a march down memory lane... 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/ | 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 | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 stagnant inflation figures, but warns that if the PM doesn’t change his plan we could be headed for economic woe and a recession. And weighing into the latest drama from the Labour Party, Allison thinks the party might be being eaten by its own ‘diversity dragon', and has also found time to invent a new game: introducing ‘Rishi Bingo’. 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 Liam: "The issue that could decide the election - and it's not the economy"https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2024/02/11/immigration-not-economy-key-election-success/ | Read Allison: ‘Greedy universities don’t seem to care about white middle-class British kids’https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2024/02/14/britain-white-middle-class-teenagers-greedy-universities/\ Sophie Winkleman: "Screens in schools are harming our children" https://www.politicshome.com/thehouse/article/screens-schools-harming-children | 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 | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 the failing of the Conservative Party. Strapping into the cockpit this week is former Secretary of State for Scotland Lord Michael Forsyth, who presents his defence for the recent criticism of the House of Lords, as well as his grave take on the state of the current Conservative Party. And Allison is outraged that the home nation of her beloved cat, Didi, Turkey, has been deemed 'unsafe' by Home Office officials. 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 Allison: ‘When will we stop men from barbaric cultures acting out their evil ideologies on British soil?’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2024/02/06/chemical-attacks-barbaric-cultures-evil-acts-british-soil/ 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 | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 ‘apartheid’ between UK and International students, by favouring the former. This week the rocket welcomes 'Amy' and 'James' onto the rocket to share their daughter's story. A classmate of their child joined the Church of England school as a girl, while being born a boy. 'Amy' and 'James' say the child’s sex was hidden from classmates, like their daughter, who were traumatised to learn the truth. 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 Allison: ‘Universities should want brilliant British minds, not dumbed-down foreign cash cows’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2024/01/30/top-british-universities-international-students-oxbridge/ Read Allison: 'Four-year-old boy allowed to join school as a girl is no Grimm fairytale but a real-life nightmare': https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/01/26/boy-four-join-school-a-girl-grimm-nightmare-mental-health/ 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 | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Wellingborough and Kingswood resolve this Tory leadership tussle? Strapping into the rocket this week to give his take on the state of Irish / English relations is musical legend Feargal Sharkey. He also shares his thoughts on environmental policies, a cause which he feels passionately about. And it’s the news we’ve all been waiting for as Allison’s furry friend makes her final descent to UK shores… 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 Allison: ‘You think this is cold? Try living through the winter of 1963’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2024/01/17/you-think-this-is-cold-weather-dream-on/| Read Allison: ‘Port Talbot has been sacrificed to the angry god of net zero’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/01/19/port-talbot-has-been-sacrificed-to-the-angry-god-of-net-zer/ | 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 | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode was recorded before The Rwanda Bill cleared the Commons Strapping into the rocket alongside your co-pilots this week is former Fujitsu employee ‘Robin’ who gives an exclusive inside take on what really went on to cause such a huge miscarriage of justice. Plus, it’s official: the Conservative party has gone full ‘Tonto’ but is Britain's once most reliable party really heading for a breakup? Allison thinks the country is crying out for a more right-wing Conservative Party, and that Reform UK could really make waves in the next General Election. Whilst Liam questions whether Reform's policy of abolishing the 'first past the post' approach would be beneficial for the country, as it can lead to endless coalitions and very little being actioned. But both agree that the issue of small boats and the Rwanda plan currently splitting the party will be a deciding factor in the next election. And the mailbag is bursting with reader’s response to the Post Office Scandal. 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 Allison: ‘’The only thing shocking about a 1997-style wipeout is that Sunak might keep 169 seats’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2024/01/16/conservative-election-1997-wipeout-sunak-government-voters/| 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 | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s business as usual this week as the rocket launches back into action after its Christmas hiatus. And your co-pilots are not short of opinions on the latest scandal. The political and media class are finally waking up to the Post Office Scandal, drawn attention to by the airing of a recent ITV drama and your co-pilots are naturally incensed at the rife injustice of the situation. Allison questions if this could be the UK’s Watergate moment whilst Liam thinks that it's worse because this scandal involves punishing innocent people who don't have the means to defend themselves. Also joining your co-pilots on their first voyage of the year is Deputy leader of political party Reform UK, Ben Habib, who shares his concerns for a Labour victory at the next general election and where he thinks it all went wrong for the current Conservative Party. And co-pilot Pearson shares her New Year’s resolutions, but has she been keeping to them? 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 Allison: ‘The Post Office scandal has exposed Britain as a hotbed of cronyism and corruption: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2024/01/09/post-office-scandal-mr-bates-horizon-paula-vennell/ | Read Liam: ‘The Tories have failed to address one of the biggest scandals in the City’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2023/12/17/tories-failed-address-biggest-city-london-scandals/ | Listen to Battle Lines: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/battle-lines/ | 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 | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 In this the second of a two part series, co-pilots Pearson and Halligan dig into the data files for some of their most explosive voyages on the rocket of right thinking, from 2023. The rocket featured many unique interviews from stowaways from many different worldly professions. In September the rocket also had a visit from former PM Liz Truss who stopped by to tell our co-pilots  why current PM Rishi Sunak needs to ditch the 2030 Net Zero target in favour of more traditional conservative policies, also taking a candid look back at her own brief premiership. Back in October, in light of the shocking events happening in the Middle East, the rocket welcomed IDF soldier Ben who gave his personal account of the harrowing events happening on the ground in Israel.  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/ | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this the first of a two part series, co-pilots Pearson and Halligan dig into the data files for some of their most explosive voyages on the rocket of right thinking, from 2023. The rocket featured many guest appearances from big names in politics including previous Home Secretary, Priti Patel, live from the Conservative party Conference in October. She shared her thoughts on the ‘woke blob’ running Whitehall, and her hopes for a Tory victory in 2024. Throughout 2023 your co-pilots have prided themselves in championing unheard voices and in October the rocket welcomed former head teacher Mike Fairclough who shared his heartbreaking and shocking story of how he has been ostracised and disgraced as a teacher for giving his opinion on school closures and vaccinations at his former place of work. 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/ | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The bells are ringing, the Christmas spirit has well and truly hit the rocket. Joining your co-pilots in looking back at the highs and lows of 2023 as well as giving their predictions for 2024 is Telegraph columnists Con Coughlin and Tim Stanley. Was 2023 the year of immigration? Is the Tory party as we know it finished? And what’s on the cards for European politics and elsewhere across the world next year? Only this rocket has the answers. Co-pilot Pearson has her gongs at the ready but who will be the worthy winner of the Allison Pearson ‘Hell Bent on Extinction’ award, the abuse of the English language award and finally the ‘For God’s Sake Make it Stop’ Award?  And your co-pilots open the rocket’s mailbag for the final time this year. 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 Allison: ‘My awards for 2023: from Michelle Mone to Harry and Meghan, it was a year of utter shamelessness’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2023/12/20/michellle-mone-harry-and-meghan-awards-for-2023/ | Listen to Battle Lines: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/battle-lines/ | 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 | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Tory tribes are at war over the Rwanda Bill, but who will emerge victorious? One thing is for sure, these party politics aren’t very festive at all… Co-pilot Pearson has polished her crystal ball and is ready to predict which way the party is going to swing in the immigration debate. She thinks there is a huge gulf between the ruling class and the rest of the Country which could allow opportunity for the smaller new parties to thrive. Whilst Liam questions the Country’s movement to the Centre Left in comparison to other European countries recently electing more Centre Right leaders, and if this in turn could cause our potential exit from the ECHR. Strapping into the rocket this week for a chat is Historian Matthew Parker who drops by reveal the stories behind his latest novel ‘One Fine Day, Britain's Empire on the Brink'. And Velma is back with a storming stat of the week… 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 the Telegraph’s Review of Matthew Parker’s book:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/books/what-to-read/one-fine-day-matthew-parker-review-empire-history/ | Listen to Battle Lines: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/battle-lines/ | 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.

This episode was recorded before the resignation of Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick. The lettuce has returned, could PM Rishi Sunak be heading for a similar demise as his predecessor Liz Truss? And would the Conservative party be mad enough to change leader AGAIN before the next general election? Both your co-pilots place their bets. Meanwhile the Tory Cabinet has snapped into action to reduce the immigration figures following last week’s shock figures. Allison thinks it could be a little too late and that it is simply ineptitude masquerading as progress. Liam fears that a leadership change might make the Tories look like they’ve ‘lost the plot’ before the next general election. Also joining your co-pilots in the cockpit this week is Professor Michael Kelly from the University of Cambridge who tells our co-pilots exactly why renewable green energy cannot solve the energy crisis and how we must look at taking a different approach. And what do the co-pilots make of ex PM Boris Johnson’s take to the stand at the ongoing Covid Inquiry? 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 Professor Michael Kelly's report: https://www.thegwpf.org/content/uploads/2022/03/Kelly-Net-Zero-Progress-Report.pdf Listen to Battle Lines: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/battle-lines/ | 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.

It's been a calamitous week for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, at least that’s what our co-pilots think with the latest immigration figures hitting a record high. So is he really ‘busy delivering’ as he claims? In light of the shocking riots happening in Ireland, Liam weighs in on the rising concerns about immigration now coming to the forefront in his homeland. He feels the views of the people are not being reflected fairly in the UK media. Whilst Allison’s frustration at the ongoing covid enquiry grows as she feels balanced views are not being represented and that our enquiry is an ‘embarrassment’ compared to those happening elsewhere around the world. Hopping aboard the rocket this week is  former Labour MP Stephen Pound, who drops by to deliver his verdict on how Leader Keir Starmer is faring in the run up to a general election, as well as his take on the ongoing conflict in Israel. 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 Allison: ‘Politicians have created a multicultural monster beyond control. Who gets the blame? We do’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk | Read Sarah Knapton: 'The possibility Covid is man-made is not a 'divisive' issue - the world needs to know': https://www.telegraph.co.uk | Find out more about Telegraph Money here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/ | 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.

It’s budget week on the rocket and the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has some sizeable tax cuts to pull out of his fiscal stocking. But what do your co-pilots make of the Country’s pre-christmas giveaway? Joining us to navigate this autumn budget is associate editor for the Telegraph Ben Wright, who gives his take on the Chancellor’s statement. Liam thinks the Conservatives have buckled under pressure from the right of the party with sizable tax cuts, and questions where the funding for these cuts is coming from. Ben breaks down the figures behind the headlines, to conclude that there aren't actually sizable changes in this statement, and that it could all be smoke and mirrors. Is there a whiff of desperation in the air? Whilst Allison examines the other side of the bench and is full of praise for Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ response to the statement. Could there be letters of no confidence once again making their way across the halls of Westminster? 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/ | Find out more about Telegraph Money here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/ 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.

It’s been a busy week at No10 with Suella being shown the door and the surprise recycling of David Cameron returning as Foreign Secretary. Could this be the most controversial of all recent cabinet reshuffles to date? Both co-pilots question Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s decision, wondering whether he has abandoned the faithful Red Wall in favour of appealing to the swing voters and picking up some of the Lib Dems fans. Liam thinks the PM has made a grave error in surrounding himself with politicians that are out of touch with the people of this Country.  Whilst Allison thinks post reshuffle that the demise of the Conservative party could be sooner than we think and that Sunak will be the one carrying the coffin. Boarding the rocket this week is Director of National Institute of Economics, Professor Jagjit Chadha. who shares the bleak reality of the UK economy ahead of the Autumn budget next week and reveals what he thinks the country could do to boost growth levels. And finally hell hath no fury like a Suellla scorned, as co-pilot Pearson gives her hot take on THAT letter. 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 Allison ‘Braverman’s letter was written in fire – none of us can doubt what a snake Sunak is: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2023/11/14/rishi-sunak-suella-braverman-sacked-home-secretary-snake/\ Listen to The Lockdown Files : https://podfollow.com/the-lockdown-files | 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.

To protest or not to protest? The question on everyone's mind this week as the conflicts between Remembrance weekend commemorations and pro- Palestine marches reach a heated conclusion. Your co-pilots  weigh in on the power and the pain of both arguments. Liam and Allison are both opposed to the protest going ahead on Saturday with Liam questioning whether the law is being ‘circumvented’. Whilst Allison thinks we could be reaching a tipping point between sensitivity towards different groups and a full public uprising as the pre protest fever grows. And what did they make of the first King’s Speech in 70 years? Was it the forethought of a Conservative government ready to begin a fifth term? Strapping into the rocket this week are not one but three stowaways Molly and Ben Kingsley and Arabella Skinner from the children’s campaign group  ‘Us for Them’. They deliver what they think are the shortcomings of the ongoing Covid Inquiry and why they think a separate enquiry should be launched in order to better consider the wider implications and damages to children. 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 Allison 'When poppy sellers cannot honour the dead, we must take a stand': https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2023/11/07/poppy-sellers-armistice-day-protest-palestine-million-march/ | Read Us for Them 'The Accountability Deficit': https://usforthem.co.uk/the-accountability-deficit/  Listen to The Lockdown Files : https://podfollow.com/the-lockdown-files | 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.