---
title: Starmer under pressure over Mandelson - and AI ethics
date: 2026-04-22T11:13:00+01:00
author: Zanna Meynell
canonical_url: "https://www.eauk.org/resources/our-resources/videos-and-podcasts/cross-section/starmer-under-pressure-over-mandelson-and-ai-ethics"
section: Pages
---
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## Starmer under pressure over Mandelson - and AI ethics

### Watch Cross Section here

 

 

 ](#%0A%09%09%09)

 

 

 

 

  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](https://www.eauk.org/what-we-do/advocacy/may-2026-elections) 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](https://www.eauk.org/what-we-do/initiatives/being-human/ethos), helping to engage spiritually curious young adults.

 

 

  #### Chapters:

 

  [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZdi_8bQK9w) Welcome  
[01:32](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZdi_8bQK9w&t=92s) Mandelson scandal   
[05:27](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZdi_8bQK9w&t=327s) Competence versus integrity  
[09:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZdi_8bQK9w&t=559s) Will Starmer survive?  
[15:16](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZdi_8bQK9w&t=916s) Assisted suicide update  
[16:16](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZdi_8bQK9w&t=976s) Scotland, Wales and local elections  
[19:02](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZdi_8bQK9w&t=1142s) Smartphone ban  
[21:13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZdi_8bQK9w&t=1273s) Can AI have a soul?  
[26:41](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZdi_8bQK9w&t=1601s) AI in church life  
[33:02](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZdi_8bQK9w&t=1982s) Free speech and immigration  
[34:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZdi_8bQK9w&t=2073s) Apple CEO