Cross Section

Peter Lynas, Alicia Edmund and Zanna Meynell return to Cross Section to discuss this week’s leading headlines. The episode begins with a news review. Peter updates us on the continued tensions in Drumcree, Alicia outlines the Man City controversy, and the team discuss the relaunch of a dating app with a particular focus on marriage. They also briefly reflect on the first week of Celebrity Traitors.  
Conversation then turns to the deeply controversial motion from the Green party, “Zionism is racism”. Could this splinter the Green Party? What will this mean for Zack Polanski in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election? How can Christians talk about this with wisdom and compassion? 
The team then address the prevalent theme of global instability and the threat of war, addressing calls for the church to be prayerful in this moment. 
The episode concludes with a brief review of party conference season and advice on navigating political differences within our church families. This is an episode not to be missed. 
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome01:06 Drumcree tensions update03:35 Man City charges fallout06:46 Dating apps shift towards marriage09:31 Celebrity Traitors chat11:39 Green’s Zionism motion17:20 Discussing Israel/Palestine in our churches22:18 Praying against war32:09 Party conference season36:15 Encouragements

In this week's episode of Cross Section, Peter Lynas, Danny Webster and Alicia Edmund discuss the headlines. They begin with a news review that covers a worship event in a football stadium, the euthanasia of a one year old in the Netherlands and predictions for the upcoming series of Celebrity Traitors.
Conversation then turns to all that is happening in Northern Ireland. Peter helpfully unpacks the context and history of the situation in Drumcree, what has been happening this week and how Christians can be praying.
The episode concludes with a reaction to Andy Burnham's speech at the 2026 Labour party conference. What stood out? What will the implications be? Where will this leave the UK?
This is an episode not to be missed.

On Cross Section this week, Peter Lynas, Alicia Edmund and Danny Webster discuss the theme of division and polarisation that spans across all the trending headlines. The team cover six political, cultural and religious stories, looking at how we can be good news people amidst the chaos.
They cover Meryl Streep playing Aslan, the Ed Sheeran and Macklemore controversy, the village of Piddington wanting to leave the UK, a volunteer for Restore Britain being violently attacked, the Archbishop of Canterbury's u-turn, and the Green party's' thoughts on Zionism. This is an episode not to be missed.
0:00 Intro1:52 Meryl Streep as Aslan in Narnia7:13 Ed Sheeran and Macklemore: where politics meets music14:30 Piddington, the village that voted to leave the UK20:20 Green Party 'Zionism is racism' motion24:20 Restore Britain volunteer assaulted30:12 Archbishop of Canterbury's interfaith award controversy38:30 Good news people in a polarized world42:35 Closing

This week, the Evangelical Alliance has launched a landmark report 'Understanding UK Evangelicals' and in this  episode of Cross Section, Peter Lynas, Alicia Edmund and Danny Webster unpack the research. How many evangelical Christians are in the UK? What is the demographic makeup? Can we trust the findings? 
The team also reflect on the fall of the assisted suicide bill, St Pauls cathedral being turned into a night club, Trump's comments about a united Ireland and Reform's finances. This is an episode not to be missed. 
Understanding UK Evangelicals - Who are they? - Evangelical Alliance 
Good news! The UK evangelical Church is growing | Opinion | Premier Christianity 
Evangelicals are now 2 in 3 practising Christians across the UK 
A deep dive into the evangelical church - Evangelical Alliance
Chapters: 
0:00 - Welcome0:48 - Trump and AI1:30 - St. Paul's Cathedral turned nightclub4:08 - Reform UK donations5:48 - Assisted suicide bill defeated10:23 - The power of prayer13:43 - Understanding UK Evangelicals15:56 - Key findings19:11 - Broad vs classic evangelicals21:00 - Demographics: young and diverse23:33 - Research methodology27:38 - Why this report matters31:01 - Phase 2 preview32:39 - Outro and Tori Kelly encouragement 

Peter Lynas, Alicia Edmund and Danny Webster return from the summer break to the same political upheaval as before. The team discuss the recent Channel 4 documentary revealing further questions regarding donations to Reform UK and apparent fractures in Nigel Farage's top team. How will this effect their electorate success and popularity? 
They go on to explore the weekend headlines of Patriot Platform and masked men seeking to 'defend the Portsmouth' coastline whilst chanting 'Christ is King' and round up the conversation on the upcoming vote in Westminster on assisted suicide on Friday, 11 September.
The theme of polarisation continues across our news and political stories. How can Christians engage and offer a different way of living and response?
0:00 — Welcome0:43 — Summer catch-up1:48 — Katie Taylor's song choice2:40 — Reform party conference and scandals6:51 — Are Reform self-destructing?9:25 — Reform's faith dynamic12:45 — Patriot Platform protests in Dover18:32 — Andy Burnham: first six weeks22:54 — Keir Starmer steps down26:43 — Will Burnham call a general election?30:26 — Assisted suicide vote preview34:33 — Prayer and action

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 - Intro0:36 - Andy Burnham's first week as PM2:16 - Cost of living policy focus8:22 - Immigration as a dividing line11:48 - Assisted dying and palliative care debate17:36 - Education reform20:27 - Outlook for the coming months24:47 - Challenges ahead for Burnham26:20 - Prayer points for our leaders30:01 - Get in touch30:16 - 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 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

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 

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