England are through to the Euro 2020 quarter-final, and Matt Hancock is out of his role as health secretary: a series of events which has Telegraph columnist and Planet Normal podcast host, Allison Pearson smiling. On this week’s episode, which you can listen to using the audio player above, she tells co-host Liam Halligan why she’s putting a positive spin on the resignation of the former Cabinet minister: “Mr Hancock may have done us all a bit of a favour by exposing the rancid double standards under which we all live. And I think going forward we can all cite the Hancock exemption if anyone challenges us.”
For Pearson’s Planet Normal co-pilot, Liam Halligan, the flaunting of lockdown rules has exacerbated a sense of “us and them”: If it’s not Hancock canoodling during office hours, it’s business executives allowed to travel freely because they add to the wealth of nations, while hardworking families have seen the cost of their holidays doubled or tripled, as well as the massive hassle and uncertainty factor by PCR tests.”
Also on the podcast: Leader of the Social Democratic Party William Clouston tell listeners what will set his party apart in the closely-followed by-election in Batley and Spen, and why he believes the Labour Party no longer shares the values of its former voters.
Listen to Planet Normal, a weekly Telegraph podcast featuring news and views from beyond the bubble, using the audio player above or subscribe for free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your preferred podcast app.
