Cross Section

Ep 144: Season finale: Farage's funding scandal, Burnham bounce and the hope for British politics

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

Ep 143: King Charles’ “multi-faith nation”, Burnham’s Manchesterism and the conversion practices bill

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 Introduction1:15 The King and multi-faith Britain6:57 Faith in the public square9:22 Andy Burnham and his Catholic upbringing14:59 Manchesterism: standout moments18:43 Rebuilding social cohesion: the national conversation19:25 The draft conversion practices bill33:38 How the Church should respond

Ep 142: Keir Starmer out, what happens next?

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 - Introduction1:06 - Makerfield by-election1:53 - Keir Starmer resignation2:48 - Andy Burnham's path to PM6:50 - Keir Starmer's legacy8:58 - 10 Years of Political churn since Brexit14:48 - What should Andy Burnham do differently?19:47 - Should there be an election?21:50 - Christian engagement with politics29:02 - Jeffrey Donaldson conviction32:09 - 1,200 watch Bournemouth baptisms 

Ep 141: Assisted dying bill 2.0, Makerfield by-election and Starmer's plan to ban social media

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 circle3:35 Webinars: Christian Nationalism and Islam 5:41 US-Iran Ceasefire p 5:41 Assisted suicide bill returns 15:46 Makerfield by-election22:48 Social Media ban for under-16s 33:03 Close 

Ep 140: Pride month, Christian energy drinks and Jesus at the World Cup

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

Ep 139: The Pope's thoughts on AI, the "lost generation" and Henry Nowak's tragic death

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 Welcome01:20 Bonnie Blue platform debate03:33 Tony Blair’s Britain diagnosis06:29 Responding to the "lost generation"10:07 Pope Leo on AI18:27 AI's impact on dignity and work25:32 Kirpan case and religious freedom35:27 Final thoughts and encouragements 
 

Ep 138: Andy Burnham, 'Unite the Kingdom' and intergenerational divides

In this week’s episode of Cross Section, Danny Webster and Zanna Meynell are joined by Mark Gilmore, policy advisor at the Evangelical Alliance. Conversation turns to the damp squib that was the King’s Speech . It serves as a reminder that we cannot place all our hopes in politics.
The team discuss the implications of potential conversion practices legislation and the significance of that for Christians. From Andy Burnham to Keir Starmer, the team weigh in on what has happened with the Labour leadership race and the continuing chaos surrounding this political moment. As last Saturday saw another ‘Unite the Kingdom’ march, the team examine the continuing conversation around Christian nationalism in the UK. Do check out the briefing events that are coming up in June, which will help us engage in conversations around Islam and Christian nationalism.
The episode ends with a conversation about intergenerational divides following a BBC article about boomers being the luckiest generation alive.
https://www.eauk.org/what-we-do/events/islam-challenges-questions-and-gospel-opportunities
https://www.eauk.org/what-we-do/events/politics-briefing-flag-faith-and-kingdom-engaging-with-christian-nationalism
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction0:42 Eurovision highlights2:30 Praying with children4:03 Britain's Got Talent golden buzzer act5:29 The King's Speech review10:37 UK political leadership race13:58 Conversion therapy ban update24:41 ‘Unite the Kingdom’ march26:19 Intergenerational wealth gap32:15 Falling birth rates35:30 The church as an intergenerational family

Ep 137: Pastor Clive Johnston convicted, Keir Starmer's future and the UK elections unpacked

In this week's episode of Cross Section, the team discuss the conviction of Clive Johnston after he preached John 3:16 in a buffer zone, deep dive the election results and Keir Starmer's fragility as Prime Minister. How as Christians can we respond to this chaos? What are our freedoms and where can we turn when the world feels so fractured?
Chapters:
00:00 Welcome01:19 Abortion buffer zone case08:05 Gospel freedom and tactics11:26 Prayer in council meetings16:25 Banned speakers and marches22:02 Election results roundup28:38 Keir Starmer's leadership crisis36:32 Political fatigue and hope40:15 Closing thoughts

Ep 136: Faith under pressure: from antisemitism to Christian workplace rights

In this week’s episode of Cross Section, Peter Lynas, Danny Webster and Alicia Edmund sit down to discuss the latest headlines. The episode begins with some light-hearted stories: Peter reviews the Devil Wears Prada 2, and the rest of the panel discuss the Met Gala outfits that caught their eye.  
Conversation turns to the sad news that broke yesterday around Sam Allberry being stepped down from leadership at Immanuel Nashville. They reference the helpful statement that Living Out have put out, encouraging us to think about this prayerfully, with compassion.  
 The main discussion focuses on the Liberal Democrats admitting they unlawfully discriminated against former BBC journalist and prospective candidate David Campanale because of his Christian beliefs. In this polarised climate, with pressures and fear of cancel-culture, it can be hard to know how to talk about faith. The panel encourage us in speaking openly about Christianity, pointing to our resources that help us do so. 
The episode concludes with a conversation on the recent attacks against the UK’s Jewish community. How can we respond as Christians to rising antisemitism, security fears, political responses and the wider impact of protests on community safety? 
 
Chapters: 
00:00 Welcome and agenda01:21 Met Gala banter02:54 Sam Allberry steps down08:31 Lib Dems admit discrimination18:21 Faith at work and moral leadership27:12 Attacks on UK Jews34:48 Polarisation and closing thoughts 

Ep 135: Assisted dying, a divided Britain and Russell Brand

In this week’s episode of Cross Section, the team discuss the stopped assisted suicide bill. How has this happened? Could a similar bill come into the next parliamentary session? The team discuss the likelihood of assisted suicide returning and the fact that even if it doesn't return as a political conversation, it is still a cultural one. They also reflect on the church's role in talking about the value of life.
The conversation then widens to political polarisation, governance and social cohesion. How can Christians engage and speak into our fractured, political climate?
This leads into a chat about street preaching and two cases that have hit the headlines – an abortion buffer zone case in Northern Ireland and the Bread of Life Church in Essex.
The episode ends with a news roundup including Russell Brand’s viral interview with Piers Morgan in which he struggled to find Isaiah and reflections on the attempted assassination of Donald Trump.
https://open.substack.com/pub/zannameynell/p/from-the-femosphere-to-raye-navigating?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=post%20viewer
https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/is-the-assisted-suicide-bill-finished
 
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction01:12 Why the bill ran out of time03:12 Democracy and drafting legislation09:00 Will it return?13:17 Church response and cultural impact17:10 Polarisation and political health21:00 Street preaching legal cases28:48 Gospel freedom and wise witness31:19 News roundup35:42 Closing encouragement