Starmer survives a vote this week, but what will the May elections reveal for Labour

Starmer survives a vote this week, but what will the May elections reveal for Labour

Author: The Telegraph April 30, 2026 Duration: 59:34

You can watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/v0ptnvQnGUQ


This week on Planet Normal your co-pilots of sanity, Liam Halligan and Allison Pearson, navigate the wreckage of the UK’s two-party system as seismic local and devolved elections loom on May 7th. With the UK inflation rate remaining a major concern and the Strait of Hormuz effectively blockaded by Iran, the duo examines how geopolitical instability is hitting British pockets.


Liam breaks down the "end of the world as we know it" for the traditional political establishment, as Reform UK and the Greens surge while both major parties face a potential hammering at the polls. 


Meanwhile, Allison reflects on her recent trip to Wales, where a "turquoise tsunami" threatens the Labour heartlands as Reform gain in the polls.


Stowing away on the rocket this week is former 22 SAS commander Colonel Richard Williams, who discusses how "lawfare" and the prosecution of veterans are undermining British military recruitment and national security. 


Highlights: 

  • Planet Normal: Starmer survives a vote this week, but what will the May elections reveal for Labour
  • Reform UK and the Greens surge as the traditional two-party system faces a May 7th meltdown. 
  • Blockades in the Strait of Hormuz threaten global energy supplies and UK inflation.


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Read Allison ‘Nigel Farage is winning the battle for the soul of my beloved Wales’:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/04/24/allison-pearson-on-labour-party-in-wales/ |

‘Prime minister Angela Rayner would be a new low for Britain’:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/04/28/prime-minister-angela-rayner-new-low-for-britain/ | 

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

Read Liam ‘We’re on the brink of a global recession, but it’s not Iran we need to worry about’:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2026/04/26/does-geopolitics-pose-greatest-economic-danger-or-is-it-ai/ | 

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

Planet Normal
Podcast Episodes
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