Labour drags us further to the '70s and Burnham stokes the psychodrama

Labour drags us further to the '70s and Burnham stokes the psychodrama

Author: The Telegraph May 21, 2026 Duration: 1:03:35

You can watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/wQSgb9En2k0


This week on Planet Normal, your co-pilots of sanity, Liam Halligan and Alison Pearson, take us back to the 1970s as they look at the retro economic policies dragging the country in reverse. With financial markets reacting to the Labour infighting with horror, sending the UK government's borrowing costs to a staggering 30-year high, the duo warns that the British economy is on a knife edge. 


Liam focuses on the unfolding fiscal emergency, explaining how sovereign bond markets are reeling from a protracted Labour leadership battle, where all the major contenders are looking to increase borrowing and spending even further. 


Meanwhile Allison shares her deep frustrations with the current state of the nation, highlighting the desperate struggles of local community hubs and family pubs fighting to survive under the weight of punishing economic changes. 


This week’s stowaway on the rocket is royal historian and biographer Andrew Lownie, who discusses the ongoing fallout surrounding the royal family and his investigations into institutional secrecy.

Highlights

  • Labour drags us further to the '70s and Burnham stokes the psychodrama
  • Sir Keir Starmer's leadership is under intense pressure amidst a protracted Labour leadership battle.
  • Sovereign bond markets react to high spending as government borrowing costs spike to a 30-year high.
  • Royal biographer Andrew Lownie exposes new allegations and the culture of institutional secrecy.


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Read Allison ‘‘Don’t drink them all at once’: Regulars enjoy free pints on National Pub Day’:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/05/16/allison-pearson-national-pub-day/ |

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

Read Liam ‘As Labour lurches further Left, the markets are calling time’: 

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2026/05/17/as-labour-lurches-further-left-the-markets-are-calling-time/ |

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

Read Liam’s Substack: https://liamhalligan.substack.com/ |

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Every Thursday, Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan step outside the daily noise to offer a different perspective on the week’s events. Planet Normal, from The Telegraph, is a conversation that often challenges the prevailing narratives found in mainstream media and political circles. This podcast digs into the stories shaping society, culture, and the news, focusing on the viewpoints and concerns that feel increasingly sidelined. Pearson and Halligan, both seasoned columnists, bring a blend of sharp analysis and relatable frustration to topics ranging from family life and economic pressures to broader cultural shifts. Their discussions feel like a break from a scripted debate, offering listeners a space where common sense and direct commentary take precedence. Tuning in provides a weekly reset-a chance to hear arguments grounded in everyday experience rather than abstract theory. It’s for anyone who feels the conventional discourse doesn’t quite reflect the reality they see. You’ll find the tone is more like a candid chat between two well-informed friends than a formal news broadcast, making complex issues accessible and engaging. This is the appeal of the Planet Normal podcast: a consistent, thoughtful alternative that speaks plainly about the forces shaping our world.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

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