Cross Section

In this week’s episode of Cross Section, Peter Lynas, Alicia Edmund and Danny Webster discuss the leading political and cultural headlines. The team begin with a conversation about King Charles’ announcement that he is redefining his role as monarch from “Defender of the Faith” to protecting “the space for faith within the multi-faith nation”. What are the implications for his role as the head of the Church of England? What does this show about the nature of religion in the UK today?

They then consider Andy Burnham’s Catholic upbringing and ponder how he may engage with faith as he comes into Downing Street. Can Britain talk about religion well? Alicia briefly refers to the National Conversation campaign to rebuild social cohesion.

The team then turn to the significant release last week of draft conversion practices legislation. This is an issue the Evangelical Alliance has engaged with since 2018 and this bill raises many concerns. Why are we worried about what is being proposed? What could be the impact of this legislation for parents and churches? What will happen next and how can Christians respond?

This is an episode you do not want to miss.

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction
1:15 The King and multi-faith Britain
6:57 Faith in the public square
9:22 Andy Burnham and his Catholic upbringing
14:59 Manchesterism: standout moments
18:43 Rebuilding social cohesion: the national conversation
19:25 The draft conversion practices bill
33:38 How the Church should respond

Is Britain ungovernable?

This week on Cross Section, Alicia Edmund, Danny Webster and Zanna Meynell unpack a hugely significant week in British politics. Following Andy Burnham’s win in the Makerfield by-election last week, Monday saw Keir Starmer announce his resignation. What will this period of political limbo look like? How can we engage? And where can we put our hope when things are so unstable? 

The team also reflect on the news that Jeffrey Donaldson (former DUP leader) has been found guilty of historic child sex offences. This heartbreaking story serves as a reminder of the importance of bringing things to light and justice being served.  

The episode ends with the encouraging story of the mass baptisms in Bournemouth last weekend.  

Chapters: 

0:00 - Introduction
1:06 - Makerfield by-election
1:53 - Keir Starmer resignation
2:48 - Andy Burnham's path to PM
6:50 - Keir Starmer's legacy
8:58 - 10 Years of Political churn since Brexit
14:48 - What should Andy Burnham do differently?
19:47 - Should there be an election?
21:50 - Christian engagement with politics
29:02 - Jeffrey Donaldson conviction
32:09 - 1,200 watch Bournemouth baptisms

On today's episode of Cross Section, Peter Lynas, Alicia Edmund and Danny Webster try to make sense of Lauren Edward's decision to reintroduce the assisted dying / suicide bill, t-up the political permutations ahead of Thursday's Makerfield by-election and discuss the government’s latest announcement about a social media ban for under 16 year olds. 

https://www.wigan.gov.uk/Docs/PDF/Council/Voting-and-Elections/2026/Makerfield/Election-Agent-Notice-Makerfield-2026.pdf

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction  
0:49 Pharrell Williams' "The One" 
2:35 World Cup prayer circle
3:35 Webinars: Christian Nationalism and Islam 
5:41 US-Iran Ceasefire p 
5:41 Assisted suicide bill returns 
15:46 Makerfield by-election
22:48 Social Media ban for under-16s 
33:03 Close

On today's episode, Peter Lynas, Alicia Edmund and Danny Webster cover a whole range of issues from calls to boycott HelloFresh, to a seven-minute standing ovation for the Pope in the Spanish parliament, what energy drink would Jesus drink? to the number of openly Christian players at this year's World Cup. It's becoming the new normal to see Christianity discussed in the cultural space, so the team discuss how as Christians we can speak confidently and compelling about Jesus.

00:00 Welcome and lineup

00:57 Christian energy drinks

03:07 Southampton aftermath

07:52 Cohabitation rights debate

10:11 Pope in Madrid

11:04 Profit before Pride

16:19 Free speech and gender

24:32 Subscribe and feedback

25:18 Football and faith

33:47 Final reflections

Peter Lynas, Alicia Edmund and Danny Webster return to Cross Section to review this week’s key news stories. They begin with a news roundup covering calls to withdraw mainstream media platforms from influencer Bonnie Blue, Tony Blair’s intervention on what has gone wrong in Britain and Alan Milburn’s warning about rising numbers of young people not in education, employment or training.  

The main discussion focuses on Pope Leo XIV’s lengthy encyclical Magnifica Humanitas on safeguarding humanity in the ever-changing age of AI, drawing parallels with a previous encyclical Rerum Novarum and exploring dignity, work, agency. How do we use AI wisely as Christians? How can we grapple with the implications of A on human dignity and work? 

The episode ends with a conversation about religious freedom following the sentencing of a Sikh man who killed Henry Nowak using a large kirpan, the ceremonial blade Sikhs are required by their faith to carry. How does this story tap into the wider theme of the freedom of religion and how as Christians can we respond? 

https://www.regent-college.edu/resources/laing-lectures/2026-laing-lectures/

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome
01:20 Bonnie Blue platform debate
03:33 Tony Blair’s Britain diagnosis
06:29 Responding to the "lost generation"
10:07 Pope Leo on AI
18:27 AI's impact on dignity and work
25:32 Kirpan case and religious freedom
35:27 Final thoughts and encouragements