Labour’s asylum seeker 'Carry On'

Labour’s asylum seeker 'Carry On'

Author: The Telegraph October 30, 2025 Duration: 1:02:41

Our co-pilots, energised from their trip down to earth for the live show at the Battle of Ideas festival last week, are back on the Rocket to try and make sense of a week of madness!


They address the growing discontent following a string of high-profile incidents involving illegal migrants, most recently in Uxbridge.


The discussion turns into a blistering attack on the Home Office and the entire Civil Service, who the co-pilots argue, are actively stifling political reform and preventing any government—regardless of party—from delivering functioning public services or stopping the boats.


Strapping into the rocket this week is Conservative MP Helen Whately, who joins to discuss the urgent need for benefits system reform to encourage young people into work and end their reliance on state support.


Meanwhile Allison addresses the historic collapse of Labour in its heartlands in the Caerphilly by-election last week, signalling what could be a death knell for Labour in Wales.


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Read Allison ‘The soaring cost of mince signals we’re in for a difficult winter’

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/10/29/rising-food-prices-difficult-winter/ |

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

Read Liam: ‘Britain’s national accounts now resemble a Ponzi scheme’

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/l/lf-lj/liam-halligan/ |

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

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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: 100

Planet Normal
Podcast Episodes
Tears of joy as Supreme Court rules on ‘women’ definition [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:48
Co-pilot Pearson is back in her rightful place at the helm of the rocket, hurrah! She’s just in time to deliver her verdict on the Supreme Court’s unanimous ruling that the terms ‘sex’ and ‘woman’ in the 2010 Equality Ac…
Talking tough on tariffs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:17
This episode was recorded before president Trump announced a pause on some tariffs.With co-pilot Pearson taking a well earned break, Tim Stanley steps into the cockpit as a trusted controller of the rocket and there’s ce…
Rachel’s bottomless bucket of woe [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:41
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Duration: 1:02:12
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The Burgeoning Benefits Bill [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:40
As Prime Minister Keir Starmer strays further Right in his policy decisions on defence spending and benefit cuts, your co-pilots strap into the rocket once more to journey into the madness orbiting Planet Earth. Are Labo…
Ructions in Reform [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:33
As the internal ‘punch up’ in Reform UK rumbles on, your co-pilots give their take on the latest fumblings. But whose corner are they fighting for?Allison is unimpressed and thinks the last thing the country needs is to…
The Lockdown Legacy of Covid [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:38
It’s geopolitics stupid.The issue at the forefront of the rocket’s orbit today as there’s certainly no shortage of global madness to contend with.Both your co-pilots reflect on the explosive meeting between President’s,…
Allison  Pearson defends free speech against police [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:32
Co-pilot Pearson has a huge announcement this week as she launches legal action against Essex police after her traumatising experience last year. In this episode she explains what has led her to take a stand against such…
Reeves’ nation inflation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:23:26
There’s more woe on the horizon this week with the delivery of less than positive inflation figures.. But no fear, your co-pilots are at the helm to guide you through this economic morass.Co-pilot Pearson has strong feel…
The final nail in the agricultural coffin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:51
Rule by law or rule by lawyers, that's the question your co-pilots are posing from the rocket today as they ponder the week’s events on Planet Earth, and there’s certainly no shortage of madness!Liam thinks the political…