AI tool can give ministers 'vibe check' on whether MPs will like policies

A new artificial intelligence tool can warn ministers whether policies are likely to be very unpopular with their party's MPs, using a search described as a "parliamentary vibe check". Parlex is one of a suite of AI tools being developed for ministers and civil servants which allows them to predict which topics might cause them difficulty with their own backbenchers – and pinpoint specific MPs who feel passionately about a given subject. A summary of a policy – such as a 20mph speed limit – can be given to the tool which then predicts how MPs are likely to react, according to their previous contributions in parliament. A demonstration video on the government's website shows how Tory MPs have historically opposed the change and the Labour MPs in favour of traffic calming measures. The Parlex tool's description says it "allows policy teams to understand the political climate and anticipate potential challenges or support for a policy before it is formally proposed and to build a parliamentary handling strategy". Parlex, which is at the early stages of development, describes this as a "vibe check".