Question Time

The programme opened in Salisbury with a discussion on artificial intelligence, prompted by an audience member's question about whether AI is a realistic threat to mankind. Danny Kruger argued that the UK needs to develop its own AI industry and computing power to avoid reliance on the US and China, referencing the AI Safety Institute and the need for a moral framework. Caroline Lucas countered that the technology is controlled by a small number of capitalist giants and called for a pause and stronger regulation, citing warnings from figures like Geoffrey Hinton about extinction risk. Heidi Alexander defended the government's approach, noting rare political consensus on the need for guardrails and international cooperation, and pointed to potential benefits such as AI-developed drugs.

The panel then turned to political donations, focusing on £72 million given to Reform UK by two cryptocurrency entrepreneurs, Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne. Caroline Lucas called it a massive threat to democracy and supported caps and state funding, while Danny Kruger defended the donations as legal and comparable to other parties' funding, and criticised Labour's proposed retrospective law. Heidi Alexander distinguished the donations from Labour's union funding, citing concerns about overseas electors and influence, and the discussion touched on donation caps and the role of trade unions.

On defence, asked whether the UK is serious about defence given paused training on Salisbury Plain, Joy Morrissey said the government prioritises welfare over defence, while Heidi Alexander cited the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War and commitments to NATO targets. Audience members from the armed forces expressed concerns about recruitment, modernisation and the pace of funding. A question on climate change from a young audience member followed, with Joy Morrissey emphasising affordable energy and criticised net zero, while Caroline Lucas said the government's response was inadequate and cited security threats from climate. Danny Kruger advocated exploiting UK oil, gas and fracking, while Heidi Alexander highlighted clean energy investment.