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 fiveparty 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. 

Have a look at Ethos, helping to engage spiritually curious young adults.

Chapters:

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