The Liberal consensus gave us mass migration and broken boarders

The Liberal consensus gave us mass migration and broken boarders

Author: The Telegraph April 2, 2026 Duration: 1:16:09

In this week’s dispatch from the sanctuary of sweet reason, co-pilots Pearson and Halligan examine a growing sense of national insecurity as Britain faces a big economic hit from the US-Iran war and the systemic economic vandalism of a new tax year. 


The duo discuss the ongoing scandal of NHS waiting lists, with Alison analysing the apparent waiting list cleansing and the statistical chicanery used to massage figures ahead of local elections.


Liam highlights a tax-bonanza of pre-announced tax rises hitting family farms and small businesses, arguing that the government is the true price gouger as it rakes in millions from fuel duties. 


Returning stowaway Professor Matt Goodwin joins your co-pilots to discuss his new book, Suicide of a Nation, and why the government is still ignoring the migrant crisis.



Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditor |

Read Allison ‘The elite can’t stand the truth about mass migration’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/04/01/elites-attack-matt-goodwin-immigration/ |

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

Read ‘It’s time to stop pretending we have a First World health service’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/03/31/socialist-nhs-failed-time-to-change-funding/|

Read Liam ‘Britain’s small firms are needed to rescue us from this slump’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2026/03/29/britains-small-firms-are-needed-to-rescue-us-from-slump/ | 

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

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

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.


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
Piddington protest and the donation dispute [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:40
You can watch this episode in full on YouTube: https://youtu.be/RAjUcNkPlokThis week on Planet Normal, co-pilots Halligan and Pearson, strap into the rocket of right thinking to tackle growing unrest over border policies…
Boat-load of trouble: Channel fury, Israel sanctions & broke Britain [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:52
You can watch this episode in full on Youtube: https://youtu.be/iZkeL-6UtSQThis week on Planet Normal, your co-pilots of sanity, Halligan and Pearson, strap into the rocket of right thinking to tackle a tumultuous news a…
Planet Normal: Best Voyages from the Rocket 2026 P4 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:25
You can watch this episode on YouTubeSummer is coming to an end on Planet Normal! So, for the final instalment of our “best of the rocket” series, our co-pilots head back into the archives for two more memorable voyages…
Planet Normal: Best Voyages from the Rocket 2026 P3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:00
You can watch this episode on YouTubeThe summer voyage continues on Planet Normal! This week, our co-pilots fire up the engines and head back into the archives for two more memorable journeys aboard the rocket of right t…
Planet Normal: Best Voyages from the Rocket 2025 P2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:32
You can watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/hxtGEUicygESummer continues on Planet Normal! In this, the second part of our best of the rocket series, our co-pilots take a look back at some of their favourite v…
The wit, wisdom and words of Rod Liddle [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:40
You can watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/K-svfqmj8RgIt's the summer break on Planet Normal and ordinarily your co-pilots take a look back at some of their most explosive voyages on the rocket of right thin…
The case of Essex police vs Allison Pearson and the co-pilots victory [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:37
You can watch this episode in full on YouTube: https://youtu.be/hjoyImW6a8sThis week’s journey in the rocket of right thinking opens with an exclusive announcement from co-pilot Pearson in her case against the Essex poli…
Andy and the Backstabbers make their debut to the Country [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:48
You can watch this episode in full on YouTube: https://youtu.be/LYzZRwK5C0gThis week’s journey in the rocket of right thinking opens with co-pilots Liam Halligan and Allison Pearson reflecting on Andy Burnham becoming Pr…