UK Meningitis outbreak and Starmer’s abortion policy shame

UK Meningitis outbreak and Starmer’s abortion policy shame

From Planet Normal by The Telegraph

March 19, 2026 · 1h 10m

About this episode

The episode discusses the UK's meningitis outbreak, energy crisis, and a controversial abortion policy while featuring guest Linden Kemkaran on illegal migration issues.

You can watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/QVXFsa07Rpo 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 perfect storm of energy, military, and financial fragility, and the unfolding meningitis outbreak. With oil climbing back above $100 a barrel and the Strait of Hormuz remaining shut, Liam argues that it is time for the government to junk the ‘Net Zero virtue signalling’ and urgently greenlight drilling in the North Sea.  Allison discusses her recent column on a controversial clause in the Crime and Policing Bill that would effectively ‘decriminalise’ abortion up to birth. Labelling the move ‘legalised infantcide’ she and Liam explore the ethical implication of late-term viability, drawing on Allison’s moving personal experiences and her observations from a neonatal ICU.  The duo are joined in the rocket by Linden Kemkaran, the Reform UK leader of Kent County Council. Representing the ‘border county’ at the forefront of the small boats crisis, she discusses her decision to declare an ‘illegal migration emergency’ and her demand for the government to…

People in this episode

Hosts: Liam, Allison

Guest: Linden Kemkaran

Topics covered

  • meningitis outbreak
  • abortion policy
  • energy crisis
  • military fragility
  • financial insecurity
  • illegal migration

Keywords

  • meningitis
  • abortion
  • energy crisis
  • illegal migration
  • Crime and Policing Bill
  • North Sea drilling
  • Linden Kemkaran

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Reform UK, Kent County Council, The Telegraph

Books & works: Crime and Policing Bill

Places: Britain, North Sea, Strait of Hormuz

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