In this week’s episode, the Cross Section team discuss integrity in public life. This week we have seen the Peter Mandelson vetting controversy, the sacking and parliamentary testimony of Foreign Office civil servant Olly Robbins, and questions around Starmer’s leadership. Will the prime minister survive? What are the political implications for government authority and the upcoming King’s Speech? Could the assisted suicide bill be reintroduced in the next parliamentary session?  

They also discuss the upcoming Scottish, Welsh and English local elections and the expected fragmentation amongst our five‑party politics. Check out our election page for more information on how to engage. 

Conversation then turns to the proposed smartphone restrictions in schools and wider concerns about AI chatbots, including Anthropic’s meeting with Christian leaders. They debate how churches and Christians should use AI. Where can it become dangerous and unhelpful? The episode concludes with the encouragement that amongst the global chaos, many are coming to faith. 

00:00 Welcome  

01:32 Mandelson scandal 

05:27 Competence versus integrity 

09:19 Will Starmer survive? 

15:16 Assisted suicide update 

16:16 Scotland, Wales and local elections 

19:02 Smartphone ban 

21:13 Can AI have a soul? 

26:41 AI in church life 

33:02 Free speech and immigration 

34:33 Apple CEO