Cross Section

Is Andy Burnham the new ‘TikTok PM’? The Cross Section summer break takes a temporary pause as the team reunite to discuss all that has happened since Andy Burnham became prime minister. The team cover his use of social media, his focus on cost of living and social care, lack of mention of immigration and touch on assisted suicide. What will the coming months look like? What will the challenges be? Most importantly, how can Christians pray effectively?

The team also discuss the upcoming Clacton by-election, the new series of ‘The Chosen’ and ‘The Odyssey’.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro
0:36 - Andy Burnham's first week as PM
2:16 - Cost of living policy focus
8:22 - Immigration as a dividing line
11:48 - Assisted dying and palliative care debate
17:36 - Education reform
20:27 - Outlook for the coming months
24:47 - Challenges ahead for Burnham
26:20 - Prayer points for our leaders
30:01 - Get in touch
30:16 - Clacton by-election (Farage vs. Binface)
31:29 - ‘The Chosen’ and ‘The Odyssey’

For the season finale before the summer break, Peter Lynas, Alicia Edmund and Danny Webster share reflections from the National Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast in Westminster, President Trump's influence over a red card, the unfolding story surrounding Nigel Farage's relationship with a cryptocurrency convicted billionaire and the role of the UK church in embodying a message of hope at a time of national instability.

National Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast (YouTube link): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPvx1DHTleE

 

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to Cross Section

00:21 Prayer Breakfast Highlights

01:39 Hope Not Politics

02:39 Westminster Hall Atmosphere

03:09 Andy Burnham Buzz

04:15 Season Wrap and News Picks

04:47 Culture Spotlight Ezra Collective

06:08 Football and Media Frenzy

07:22 Trump vs FIFA Rules

09:46 Reform Party Under Scrutiny

11:30 Farage Donations Explained

13:01 Standards Probe and Recall Risk

14:02 Recall Petition Stakes

15:00 Have Reform Peaked

15:43 Farage Under Pressure

17:04 Electoral System Reality

17:56 Polls Momentum Shifts

19:48 Switching to Burnham

21:12 Burnham Honeymoon Risks

23:55 Devolution Versus Growth

26:00 Praying for Hope

26:56 Church as Stability

29:54 Polarization and Discipleship

32:57 Season Wrap and Farewell

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