Welsh political party
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'For Wales our Country' - Arwel Vittle, co-author of a new book on the foundation of Plaid Cymru, 'Dros Gymru'n Gwlad', discusses how a group of young people founded the party in 1925 and why it didn't it happen earlier? * 'Dros Gymru'n Gwlad: Hanes Sefydlu Plaid Genedlaethol Cymru', Arwel Vittle a Gwen Angharad Gruffudd -https://www.ylolfa.com/products/9781800997066/dros-gymrun-gwlad-hanes-sefydlu-plaid-genedlaethol-cymru* Dros Gymru'n Gwlad (Finlandia) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NViE2h0_1PY * ‘Putting Wales First' by Richard Wyn Joneshttps://www.uwp.co.uk/book/putting-wales-first-rw-jones/
'Dros Gymru'n Gwlad' - Arwel Vittle, cyd-awdur llyfr newydd am sefydlu Plaid Cymru yn 1925 sy'n rhoi'r cyd-destun ar gyfer ffurfio'r blaid gan bobl ifanc a pham na sefydlwyd plaid dros senedd i Gymru yn gynt?* Dros Gymru'n Gwlad: Hanes Sefydlu Plaid Genedlaethol Cymru, Arwel Vittle a Gwen Angharad Gruffudd -https://www.ylolfa.com/products/9781800997066/dros-gymrun-gwlad-hanes-sefydlu-plaid-genedlaethol-cymru* Dros Gymru'n Gwlad (Finlandia) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NViE2h0_1PY
Under Mark Drakeford's leadership, Labour in Wales bucked the party's national trend in 2021, winning a working majority of 30 seats in the Senedd, worked with Plaid Cymru and the Liberal Democrats, and pushed genuinely innovative, exciting, unapologetically progressive policy: the UK's first a universal basic income (UBI) trial, a Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, changing the voting system to a form of Proportional Representation, and taking Welsh rail services back into public hands.We talked to Mark about his vision of a good society, what's next for Labour nationally and in Wales, and his proposal of a ‘union of solidarity'.Support the showEnjoyed the podcast and want to be a live audience member at our next episode? Want to have the chance in raising questions to the panelist?Support our work and be a part of the Compass community. Become a member!You can find us on Twitter at @CompassOffice.
Walescast comes from the Royal Welsh Show - the biggest agricultural festival in Europe. James kicked things off with Nigel Farage MP, Reform UK's leader, following the news that Laura Anne Jones MS has defected to his party after more than 30 years with the Welsh Conservatives. They also discuss farming and what's he has in store for the Senedd elections. James then caught up with Plaid Cymru's Llyr Gruffydd MS and Welsh Conservative Samuel Kurtz MS on all things farming and the latest news. He rounded of the busy day in an interview with Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies who is also the Minister for Rural Affairs.
The Farmers Guardian news team discuss the newly launched Sustainable Farming Scheme, what it means for Welsh farming plus thoughts from FUW's Ian Rickman, NFU Cymru's Abi Reader and Plaid Cymru's Llyr GruffyddMessage us
Betsi Cadwaladr's chief executive, Carol Shillabeer, joins us from Bangor to talk about turning the health board around. Anne-Elizabeth Moutet in France explains how they might be changing the law there to allow police to intervene in the water to stop small boat crossings. Jenifer Baxter from Infrastructure Wales tells us why we don't just need more money to fix our crumbling infrastructure. Michael Mansfield KC highlights the perils of jury-free trials. And Professor Richard Wyn Jones and Lord Wigley celebrate 100 years of Plaid Cymru.Uzo Iwobi from Race Council Cymru and John Jewell from Cardiff Journalism School review the Sunday papers.
It would be an exaggeration to say the vultures are already circling the wagon - but there are already conversations taking place about Keir Starmer's future. Bloomberg and Sky have both reported that sources in Labour are already contemplating the prospect of a move against the PM next May after the local elections.Absolutely crucial to those results will be Wales. Labour has never been out of power since devolution in Wales - more than a quarter of a century ago. But if polling is to be believed, that could. all be about to change. Reform and Plaid Cymru, the Welsh independents, both appear to be edging ahead of Labour. And if that happens it could be a huge problem - both an existential challenge for Welsh Labour, and possibly for the PM himself. The stakes couldn't be much higher. And with that in mind, Lewis sat down with Eluned Morgan, the First Minister of Wales. In a wide-ranging interview, she talks frankly about her relationship with Keir Starmer, where she thinks Labour needs to move to stop the haemorrhaging of support, and gives one of the most frank assessments yet of Israel's actions in Gaza from a senior Labour figure. The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/
Guests include First Minister Eluned Morgan; Adam Price MS, Chatham House director Bronwen Maddox; Prof Elin Haf Gruffydd Jones and Judith Mackrell. The paper reviewers are Baroness Ilora Finlay and Plaid Cymru councillor Steve Skivens.
Yn rhan o dymor Merthyr BBC Cymru mae Beti George yn holi Bethan Sayed, gwleidydd gafodd ei hethol i'r Cynulliad yn 2007 pan oedd hi'n 25 mlwydd oed.Roedd hi'n bach o rebel yn yr ysgol gynradd ac yn y cynulliad yn adnabyddus am draethu'n blwmp ac yn blaen, ac yn barod iawn i herio'r drefn. Fe benderfynodd beidio sefyll yn etholiad 2021, gan nad oedd yn hapus gyda'r hyn oedd yn digwydd yn ei phlaid, Plaid Cymru ac fe benderfynodd ganolbwyntio ar y teulu. Mae hi'n briod â Rahil Sayed sydd yn ymgynghorydd busnes ac yn gweithio yn y byd ffilm Bollywood, ac yn creu ffilmiau yng Nghymru ar gyfer India a'r byd.Cawn hanesion difyr ei bywyd ac mae hi'n dewis 4 cân gan gynnwys cân gan Sobin a'r Smaeliaid; 'roedd hi'n ffan o Bryn Fôn tra'n tyfu fyny ym Merthyr.
James and Fliss went live from Westminster on Wednesday (11/06/25) to discuss the UK Government's Spending Review, what's in it for Wales and what it means for the relationship between the two Welsh Labour Governments. They discussed the details with the Welsh Secretary of State, Jo Stevens MP and the First Minister, Eluned Morgan MS. They also spoke to a panel of opposition politicians - Plaid Cymru's Ben Lake MP, Welsh Conservative Lord Davies of Gower and Welsh Liberal Democrat David Chadwick MP. BBC Wales' Political Editor Gareth Lewis also joined the pod to discuss his main takeaways.
James and Fliss are joined by Plaid Cymru's Llyr Gruffydd MS and Reform UK's Llyr Powell to discuss immigration and the plans set out by the UK Government. James also speaks to the Climate Change Committee CEO Emma Pinchbeck about Wales' Net Zero targets and what more needs to be done. The podcast then welcomes artist Shani Rhys James, musician and researcher Dr Ani Saunders and author James Hawes who discuss the challenges the arts and culture sector has been facing.
Prime Minister's Questions today, and there was lots on the agenda. It is often a fool's game to guess what the leader of the opposition will lead on, but today she had a wide choice of ammunition – from unemployment to welfare to the government's new stance on migration to the war in Gaza. Kemi Badenoch looked assured when holding Keir Starmer to account on the Chancellor's ‘jobs tax' and on funding for children's hospices. But can we attribute her performance to growing confidence in the role – or is the news just getting worse for Keir Starmer? There were a couple of notable moments from the Prime Minister, including an attack on Reform and his response to Liz Saville-Roberts, leader of Plaid Cymru, when she ‘called him out' on his use of the phrase ‘island of strangers' earlier this week. Keir Starmer appeared tetchy – is he taking a leaf out of Rishi Sunak's book? Lucy Dunn speaks to James Heale and Isabel Hardman. Produced by Oscar Edmondson.
It's one year to go until the 2026 Senedd elections, and Fliss and James are joined by a panel of politicians to discuss the long road ahead. The Welsh Government's Minister for Delivery, Julie James MS; the Leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Senedd, Darren Millar MS; and Plaid Cymru's Leader, Rhun ap Iorwerth MS, talk about what's to come. The podcast is then joined by Dr Jac Larner, from Cardiff University's Welsh Governance Centre, to discuss recent polling.
Will the peace talks lead to lasting peace in Ukraine? Journalist Irina Matviyishyn will give us the latest from Ukraine. Jose Peralta from Hybu Cig Cymru is with us to defend HCCs posts about agricultural emissions and Rory Francis from the Snowdonia Society explains why it's important to be scientific about climate change. After an unannounced inspection of Parc Prison found that drugs are widely available there, Vanessa Frake-Harris tells us how she cut down on drug use at Wormwood Scrubs during her time there as governor. And following the Pope's funeral, Papal knight Lord Don Touhig and practising Roman Catholic Delyth Jewell MS mourn his passing.Jess Blair from the Electoral Reform Society and Plaid Cymru group leader on Vale of Glamorgan council review the papers.
Former president of the NATO parliamentary assembly, Madeleine Moon and historian and political commentator Sir Deian Hopkin consider the new world order. Economist Alex Clegg from the Resolution Foundation discusses welfare reform and the upcoming spring statement. Businessman Mark Rhydderch Roberts has suggestions on how to improve the Welsh economy. Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth is with us following his party's spring conference. Conservative MS James Evans discusses dementia care. Lord Byron Davies and Professor Louise Miskell review the papers.
How do we keep children safe online?Joining Iain Dale on Cross Question this evening are Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth, jeweller and businesswoman Kiki McDonough, Conservative MP Rebecca Smith and former Corbyn adviser Andrew Fisher.
Joining Iain Dale on Cross Question this evening are Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth, jeweller and businesswoman Kiki McDonough, Conservative MP Rebecca Smith and former Corbyn adviser Andrew Fisher.
Seachtain na GaeilgeSeachtain na Gaeilge used to run for one week but because it was so popular it was extended. It now runs annually from 1 March to 17 March – St. Patrick's Day. Is í Seachtain na Gaeilge an ceiliúradh is mó den Ghaeilge agus Cultúr na hÉireann ar domhan. Bhí an oiread sin ráchairt uirthi gur síneodh amach chuig coicís í. Bíonn sí ar siúl ó 1 Márta go dtí 17 Márta - Lá Fhéile Pádraig, achan bhliain.Seachtain na Gaeilge was founded in 1902 by Conradh na Gaeilge as part the Gaelic revival of that time. Initially Seachtain na Gaeilge was limited to the island of Ireland but today it is now a global phenomenon and the largest celebration of our language and culture here and overseas.Seachtain is an opportunity to celebrate our native language and culture and to enjoy it all. I was lucky to attend the Belfast launch in An Cultúrlann on the Falls Road last week. I certainly enjoyed it. It was a great event. Bia blasta agus ceol milis. You could tell a new generation is here to take the language movement forward with confidence. To read what's on in the festival, go to Seachtain na Gaelige le energia or cnag.ie Death of Dafyyd Elis-ThomasNext week the funeral will take place in Cardiff of Dafyyd Elis-Thomas the former leader of Plaid Cymru, the Welsh independence party, who died in February. Forty-four years ago Dafyyd was an MP in the British Parliament where he played a pivotal role in the 1981 hunger strike.Bobby Sands commenced his hunger strike on 1 March 1981. He was to be followed in the weeks and months that followed by other blanket men. Five days after Bobby first refused food Frank Maguire, the Independent Republican MP for Fermanagh South Tyrone suddenly died of a heart attack. Following days of intense discussion, it was decided by Sinn Féin to stand Bobby Sands in the by-election. Harry West was the Unionist candidate.When the result was announced on the 9 April in Enniskillen's Technical College - “Sands, Bobby – Anti H-Block/Armagh Political Prisoner – 30,492; West, Harry – Unionist – 29,046” – history was made and the political landscape on the island of Ireland changed forever. Bobby was elected with a majority of 1447 on an 87% turnout.
Matthew Bannister onNigel McCrery, the former police officer who created the popular TV series “Silent Witness” and “New Tricks”.Andrée Dumon, who rescued many allied service men during the Second World War by escorting them along “The Comet Line” from Brussels to Paris.Lord Elis-Thomas, the former leader of Plaid Cymru and the first Presiding Officer of the National Assembly. Diana Melly, the author known for her unconventional marriage to the jazz singer and art expert George Melly.Interviewee: William Ivory Interviewee: Dr Helen Fry Interviewee: Professor Laura McAllister Interviewee: Kezzie MoynihanProducer: Gareth Nelson-DaviesArchive used: Silent Witness, BBC Promo, 2005 & 2025; Nigel McCrery interview, Saturday Live, BBC Radio 4, 02/11/2024; Nigel McCrery interview, Midweek, BBC Radio 4, 04/11/2013; Nigel McCrery talks about the life of Professor Helen Whitwell, Last Word, BBC Radio 4, 09/08/2024; Silent Witness, Series 1 , Episode 1, BBC ONE, 22/02/1996, Directed by Harry Hook; New Tricks, Promo, BBC Studios, 08/08/2008; Andrée Dumon, a Comète escape line organiser and courier, interview, source: www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/andree-dumon/ ; Dafydd Ellis Thomas elected to the House of Commons, BBC News, 1974; Dafydd Elis Thomas Interview , Good Morning Wales, BBC Radio Wales, 20/06/1972; Dafydd Elis Thomas becomes President of Plaid Cymru and interview, Conference Report, BBC News, 28/10/1984; Presiding Officer address to the National Assembly for Wales, The Second Term, BBC News, 2003, Diana Melly interview, Last Word, BBC Radio 4. 06/07/2007; Diana Melly interview, Private Passions, BBC Radio 3, 15/01/2023;
Guests include Israeli journalist Gideon Levy, Welsh Labour peer and former Middle East Minister Lord Peter Hain, US politics expert Dr Joseph Phillips from Cardiff University, Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar MS and Plaid Cymru's deputy leader in the Senedd, Delyth Jewell MS. Reviewing the papers: Welsh Liberal Democrat MP David Chadwick and Helen Whyley from the Royal College of Nursing Wales.
Felicity Evans and James Williams crunch the numbers and dig into the politics of the Welsh Government's draft budget for the next financial year. First they hear from the finance cabinet secretary Mark Drakeford MS before getting the reaction of the new Senedd leader of the Welsh Conservatives Darren Millar MS, Plaid Cymru's leader Rhun ap Iorweth MS and Dr Ed Poole of Cardiff University's Wales Governance Centre
Felicity Evans, James Williams and guests digest the resignation of the leader of the Conservatives in the Senedd, Andrew RT Davies. BBC Wales political editor Gareth Lewis explains how events unfolded following a vote of no confidence - that Mr Davies narrowly won - and what happens next. Cardiff University's Dr Jac Larner expands on the findings of the latest Welsh opinion poll - which shows the Conservatives trailing in fourth place behind Labour, Plaid Cymru and Reform - and the challenges that presents to Mr Davies' eventual successor
On 1 December 2021 Labour and Plaid Cymru signed a Co-operation Agreement committing the parties to working together on 46 different policies in the Senedd - ranging from Senedd reform to free school meals for all primary school children. Three years on, James Williams looks back at how the agreement came together and what it achieved with two guests who were at the heart of the negotiations that sealed the deal. David Davies was a special advisor to the then First Minister Mark Drakeford. John Osmond was his Plaid counterpart for Adam Price and has turned his experience of being in the room into a new book, "The Politics of Co-Opposition"
18 months after his election as leader of Plaid Cymru, Rhun ap Iorwerth has seen the party through some difficult times (such as the revelations of poor conduct inside the party that led to the Prosiect Pawb report and recommendations) and some celebratory ones (such as the party's success in both Caerfyrddin and Ynys Môn in the UK-wide general election in 2024). As the party resets in the the Senedd following their early termination of the Cooperation Agreement with Welsh Labour and turns its attention towards the campaign for the next national election in 2026 and its new voting system and constituencies, what are the top priorities for 'the party of Wales'? We discuss all this and more with Rhun, who you can follow on Twitter/X and all the other socials: https://x.com/RhunapIorwerth As always, you can find the latest from us here: twitter.com/HiraethPod We hope you find this podcast interesting and useful. Please do send feedback, it's always great to hear what our audience thinks. Thank you for listening to the podcast. If you have enjoyed it, please leave us a nice rating or comment on your podcast app or on YouTube and, if you are able to do so, please consider supporting our work from just £3/month on Patreon: www.patreon.com/hiraethpod
Plaid Cymru, the Welsh Nationalist Party, was founded on 5th August, 1925, with a principal mission to revive the Welsh language. Despite boasting a history of over 1,400 years - evolving from the Celtic language spoken by ancient Britons - Welsh was on the decline in the 20th century, following significant suppression dating back to the 1536 Act of Union that banned Welsh in legal and public spheres. In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly explain how protests over an RAF training camp in Gwynedd altered Plaid's fortunes; discover the punishments dolled out to Victorian schoolchildren who dared to speak their native language; and - inevitably - have a crack at pronouncing Wales's longest place-name… Further Reading: • ‘A Profile of Plaid Cymru - All you need to know' (Politics.co.uk): https://www.politics.co.uk/reference/plaid-cymru/ • ‘Why the Welsh language deserves respect not ridicule' (Metro, 2021): https://metro.co.uk/2021/02/15/disrespect-for-the-welsh-language-in-the-uk-needs-to-stop-14048261/ • ‘Now You're Talking' (S4C, 1990): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6anFdal3CgQ&list=PLt6NoCieiwOy9hr_tRT5b6Ag2nZcNtpJ3 Love the show? Support us! Join
Guests include Hefin David MS; Director of Cardiff University's Wales Governance Centre, Richard Wyn Jones; Labour MP for the Vale of Glamorgan, Kanishka Narayan; Plaid Cymru's Caerfyrrdin MP Ann Davies; Jennifer Ewing from Republicans Overseas; Prof Chris Carman from the University of Glasgow; Paris correspondent for The Times, David Chazan, Plaid Cymru MS Peredur Owen Griffiths and documentary film maker Inge Hanson.
Keir Starmer is coming under pressure to commit to scrapping the two-child benefit cap, introduced in 2017 by the Conservatives. Plaid Cymru, the Greens, Nigel Farage, the SNP, and now some Labour backbenchers are all calling for its removal. Can Starmer hold the line? Elsewhere: in Wales, First Minister Vaughan Gething has resigned after four months in the job, and in the US, Donald Trump has chosen the junior senator from Ohio J.D. Vance as his nominee for Vice-President. What could these developments mean for Labour? Lucy Dunn speaks to Katy Balls and Isabel Hardman. Produced by Patrick Gibbons and Oscar Edmondson.
Change has arrived in the UK in the shape of an incoming UK Labour UK Government. However, the picture in Wales is one of both change in terms of our relationship with the wider union but also continuity in that Welsh Labour have extended their run as the democratic world's most successful election-winning machine. However, this election has brought electoral firsts for Labour, another voter-imposed blanket ban on Conservative MPs in Wales, a strong showing for Plaid Cymru, an unrewarded stronger showing for Reform UK, an improved performance for the Greens, and a foothold once more for the Welsh Liberal Democrats. So to review the results and their impact on the Welsh political landscape, we're joined by: Matthew Hexter, Podcaster and Political Commentator: https://twitter.com/hexter101 Keira Marshall: Senior Research and Plaid Cymru Candidate for Cardiff West: https://twitter.com/Kiera_Plaid Alex Williams: former Wales Office special advisor to Sir Robert Buckland and advisor at Edelman Global Advisory: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-w-b38604140/ Thanks for your support and engagement over the election period. We've tried to add an independent voice to the coverage in Wales. If you have feedback on our coverage, please be in touch! As always, you can find the latest from us @hiraethpod on most social media, including Twitter/X here: twitter.com/HiraethPod We hope you find this podcast interesting and useful. Please do send feedback, it's always great to hear what our audience thinks. Thank you for listening to the podcast. If you have enjoyed it, please leave us a nice rating or comment on your podcast app or on YouTube and, if you are able to do so, please consider supporting our work from just £3/month on Patreon: www.patreon.com/hiraethpod
Let us know your views now - text us hereThe fourth in our series of Bisexual Brunch conversations with the political parties sees Ashley Byrne chat to Sioned Williams of Plaid Cymru.We're attempting to speak to all the main parties ahead of the General Election in our fight to end bi-erasure and get the parties taking the B in LGBT seriously.(Update: We won't be speaking to Labour who say they just 'don't have the capacity' to speak to us. Reform UK haven't offered anyone to speak to either)Our final interview is with Sean Anstee from the Conservatives. Coming up in the next 12 hours.
The UK general election is now in its final stages and while the union-wide result hardly seems in doubt, each constituency and candidate has a story to tell. Here at the Hiraeth Pod we are recording a series of short interviews with new candidates who are contesting constituencies across Wales. These are new faces on the national scene and will no doubt feature in the 2026 Senedd campaign even if unsuccessful this time around. We plan to speak to each of the main parties in Wales, which we consider to be the ones standing in every constituency at the start of the campaign (though since then some have fallen away, as you are no doubt aware). So we will be sharing interviews with Conservative, Plaid Cymru, Green, Reform, Liberal Democrat, and Labour candidates as we try to uphold the values of public service broadcasting in the digital age. In this pod we speak with former Senedd Member William (Bill) Powell, who is representing the Liberal Democrats in the Conservative-dominated seat of Monmouthshire. A long time councillor and respected parliamentarian in his own right, Bill is facing an uphill task to win the seat as Labour's Catherine Fookes is in pole position but, as ever, Bill is seeking to represent the best of big and small 'L' liberalism in this key border territory. You can find Bill on Twitter/X here: https://twitter.com/WmPowell2021 The candidates in Monmouthshire are: Conservative and Unionist Party: David TC Davies England and Wales Green Party: Ian Chandler Heritage Party: Emma Meredith Independent: Owen Lewis Liberal Democrats: Bill Powell Plaid Cymru: Ioan Bellin Reform UK: Max Windsor-Peplow True & Fair Party: June Davies UK Labour: Catherine Fookes As always, you can find the latest from us @hiraethpod on most social media, including Twitter/X here: twitter.com/HiraethPod We hope you find this podcast interesting and useful. Please do send feedback, it's always great to hear what our audience thinks. Thank you for listening to the podcast. If you have enjoyed it, please leave us a nice rating or comment on your podcast app or on YouTube and, if you are able to do so, please consider supporting our work from just £3/month on Patreon: www.patreon.com/hiraethpod
The UK general election is now in its final stages and while the union-wide result hardly seems in doubt, each constituency and candidate has a story to tell. Here at the Hiraeth Pod we are recording a series of short interviews with new candidates who are contesting constituencies across Wales. These are new faces on the national scene and will no doubt feature in the 2026 Senedd campaign even if unsuccessful this time around. We plan to speak to each of the main parties in Wales, which we consider to be the ones standing in every constituency at the start of the campaign (though since then some have fallen away, as you are no doubt aware). So we will be sharing interviews with Conservative, Plaid Cymru, Green, Reform, Liberal Democrat, and Labour candidates as we try to uphold the values of public service broadcasting in the digital age. In this pod we speak with Cllr Catherine Fookes, who is standing for the Labour Party and seeking to replace David TC Davies as MP in a seat that has a long track record of returning Conservatives. Unseating a Secretary of State would be a significant accomplishment for Labour and the polls indicate that this is a distinct possibility but it is clear that Catherine and the campaign team are taking nothing for granted. You can find Catherine on Twitter/X here: https://twitter.com/CatherineFookes The candidates in Monmouthshire are: Conservative and Unionist Party: David TC Davies England and Wales Green Party: Ian Chandler Heritage Party: Emma Meredith Independent: Owen Lewis Liberal Democrats: Bill Powell Plaid Cymru: Ioan Bellin Reform UK: Max Windsor-Peplow True & Fair Party: June Davies UK Labour: Catherine Fookes As always, you can find the latest from us @hiraethpod on most social media, including Twitter/X here: twitter.com/HiraethPod We hope you find this podcast interesting and useful. Please do send feedback, it's always great to hear what our audience thinks. Thank you for listening to the podcast. If you have enjoyed it, please leave us a nice rating or comment on your podcast app or on YouTube and, if you are able to do so, please consider supporting our work from just £3/month on Patreon: www.patreon.com/hiraethpod
Emma Tracey interviews representatives from all the major parties to find out what they are pledging when it comes to disability and mental health, ahead of the general election on 4 July. In this edition, we hear from Mags Lewis of the Green Party and Liz Saville Roberts from Plaid Cymru. Reform UK did not put forward a representative for this interview. Instead, BBC Political Correspondent, David Cornock, has taken a look at Reform UK's manifesto to discuss what the party is planning. Kate Lamble, from More or Less, a Radio 4 programme all about numbers, also offers some analysis on how the plans add up. Production: Daniel Gordon, Alex Collins and Natasha Mayo Sound recording and editing: Dave O'Neill Editors: Farhana Haider and Beth Rose At the time of recording, all the statistics provided by the Disability Policy Centre, around the number of disabled candidates were correct. The DPC says it will continue to collate the information and will have a final tally shortly after the election. Get in touch, we really want to hear from you. You can email us at accessall@bbc.co.uk or message @bbcaccessall on X or Instagram. Our WhatsApp number is 0330 123 9480, please begin your message with the word ACCESS.
It's less than one week until election day, and so far the headlines have been dominated by betting scandals, the rise of Reform, and Rishi Sunak's D-Day blunder. So can the prime minister do anything now to avoid what many polls suggest could be the worst ever result for the Conservative Party? He desperately wants attention to turn to Keir Starmer and what Labour would actually do if they win the election - and here could be an answer to that question in Wales where the Labour Party have been in power for decades. Keir Starmer even said once that Wales is a “blueprint” for a Labour government, although he doesn't seem to want to repeat that comment much of late. In this special episode of The Political Fourcast from Wales, Channel 4 News's Ciaran Jenkins is joined by Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth, Welsh Secretary David TC Davies and shadow cabinet minister Nick Thomas-Symmonds. Produced by Silvia Maresca, Calum Fraser, Shaheen Sattar, Rob Thomson, Nick Jackson.
The UK general election is now in its final stages and while the union-wide result hardly seems in doubt, each constituency and candidate has a story to tell. Here at the Hiraeth Pod we are recording a series of short interviews with new candidates who are contesting constituencies across Wales. These are new faces on the national scene and will no doubt feature in the 2026 Senedd campaign even if unsuccessful this time around. We plan to speak to each of the main parties in Wales, which we consider to be the ones standing in every constituency at the start of the campaign (though since then some have fallen away, as you are no doubt aware). So we will be sharing interviews with Conservative, Plaid Cymru, Green, Reform, Liberal Democrat, and Labour candidates as we try to uphold the values of public service broadcasting in the digital age. In this pod we speak with Oliver Lewis, spokesperson for Reform UK in Wales and candidate for the new Montgomeryshire & Glyndŵr Constituency. With the incumbent Conservative MP Craig Williams embroiled in a betting scandal mid-campaign, the sense is that this formerly safe Conservative seat might be ripe for change and Oliver is drawing on political history to position Reform as that change. You can find Oliver on X/Twitter here: https://twitter.com/policy_uk And Montgomeryshire Reform UK here: https://twitter.com/reformMaldwyn The candidates in Montgomeryshire & Glyndŵr are: England and Wales Green Party: Jeremy Brignell-Thorp Reform UK: Oliver Lewis Liberal Democrats: Glyn Preston Plaid Cymru: Elwyn Vaughan Conservative & Unionist Party: Craig Williams UK Labour: Steve Witherden As always, you can find the latest from us @hiraethpod on most social media, including Twitter/X here: twitter.com/HiraethPod We hope you find this podcast interesting and useful. Please do send feedback, it's always great to hear what our audience thinks. Thank you for listening to the podcast. If you have enjoyed it, please leave us a nice rating or comment on your podcast app or on YouTube and, if you are able to do so, please consider supporting our work from just £3/month on Patreon: www.patreon.com/hiraethpod
The UK general election is now in its final stages and while the union-wide result hardly seems in doubt, each constituency and candidate has a story to tell. Here at the Hiraeth Pod we are recording a series of short interviews with new candidates who are contesting constituencies across Wales. These are new faces on the national scene and will no doubt feature in the 2026 Senedd campaign even if unsuccessful this time around. We plan to speak to each of the main parties in Wales, which we consider to be the ones standing in every constituency at the start of the campaign (though since then some have fallen away, as you are no doubt aware). So we will be sharing interviews with Conservative, Plaid Cymru, Green, Reform, Liberal Democrat, and Labour candidates as we try to uphold the values of public service broadcasting in the digital age. In this pod we speak to Cllr Martyn Hogg, who is standing for the Greens in Clwyd North. A new constituency created out of the two Conservative strongholds of Clwyd West and Value of Clwyd that stretches toward the Clwydian Range to the north coast and includes the cathedral city of St Asaph, Denbigh, Rhyl and Colwyn. You can find the North West Greens on X/Twitter here: https://twitter.com/NWWGreenParty The candidates in Clwyd North are: Conservative and Unionist Party: Darren Millar MS England and Wales Green Party: Martyn James Hogg Liberal Democrats: David Wilkins Plaid Cymru: Paul Rowlinson Reform UK: Jamie Orange UK Labour: Gill German As always, you can find the latest from us @hiraethpod on most social media, including Twitter/X here: twitter.com/HiraethPod We hope you find this podcast interesting and useful. Please do send feedback, it's always great to hear what our audience thinks. Thank you for listening to the podcast. If you have enjoyed it, please leave us a nice rating or comment on your podcast app or on YouTube and, if you are able to do so, please consider supporting our work from just £3/month on Patreon: www.patreon.com/hiraethpod
The UK general election is now in its final stages and while the union-wide result hardly seems in doubt, each constituency and candidate has a story to tell. Here at the Hiraeth Pod we are recording a series of short interviews with new candidates who are contesting constituencies across Wales. These are new faces on the national scene and will no doubt feature in the 2026 Senedd campaign even if unsuccessful this time around. We plan to speak to each of the main parties in Wales, which we consider to be the ones standing in every constituency at the start of the campaign (though since then some have fallen away, as you are no doubt aware). So we will be sharing interviews with Conservative, Plaid Cymru, Green, Reform, Liberal Democrat, and Labour candidates as we try to uphold the values of public service broadcasting in the digital age. In this pod we speak with Cllr Llinos Medi who is standing for Plaid Cymru on Ynys Môn, the only constituency unchanged from the boundary review. As leader of Ynys Môn council, Llinos is fronting a local campaign in one of Wales's most independently-minded localities, along with the island's Senedd member, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth. You can find Llinos here: https://twitter.com/llinos_medi The candidates in Ynys Môn are: Conservative and Unionist Party: Virginia Crosbie England and Wales Green Party: Martin Schwaller Liberal Democrats: Leena Sarah Farhat Plaid Cymru: Llinos Medi Reform UK: Emmett Jenner UK Labour: Ieuan Môn Williams The Official Monster Raving Loony Party: Sir Grumpus L Shorticus Libertarian Party: Sam Andrew Wood As always, you can find the latest from us @hiraethpod on most social media, including Twitter/X here: twitter.com/HiraethPod We hope you find this podcast interesting and useful. Please do send feedback, it's always great to hear what our audience thinks. Thank you for listening to the podcast. If you have enjoyed it, please leave us a nice rating or comment on your podcast app or on YouTube and, if you are able to do so, please consider supporting our work from just £3/month on Patreon: www.patreon.com/hiraethpod
The UK general election is now in its final stages and while the union-wide result hardly seems in doubt, each constituency and candidate has a story to tell. Here at the Hiraeth Pod we are recording a series of short interviews with new candidates who are contesting constituencies across Wales. These are new faces on the national scene and will no doubt feature in the 2026 Senedd campaign even if unsuccessful this time around. We plan to speak to each of the main parties in Wales, which we consider to be the ones standing in every constituency at the start of the campaign (though since then some have fallen away, as you are no doubt aware). So we will be sharing interviews with Conservative, Plaid Cymru, Green, Reform, Liberal Democrat, and Labour candidates as we try to uphold the values of public service broadcasting in the digital age. In this pod we speak with Cllr Aled Thomas who is standing for the Conservatives - specifically the Welsh Conservatives - in Ceredigion Preseli. Familiar to viewers/listeners of Welsh language current affairs coverage, Aled comes from an agricultural background and is bringing a distinctly Welsh flavour to his campaign. You can find Aled here: https://twitter.com/CllrAledT The candidates in Ceredigion Preseli are: Conservative and Unionist Party: Aled Thomas England and Wales Green Party: Tomos Barlow Liberal Democrats: Mark Williams Plaid Cymru: Ben Lake Reform UK: Karl Robert Pollard UK Labour: Jackie Jones Workers Party of Britain: Taghrid Al-Mawed As always, you can find the latest from us @hiraethpod on most social media, including Twitter/X here: twitter.com/HiraethPod We hope you find this podcast interesting and useful. Please do send feedback, it's always great to hear what our audience thinks. Thank you for listening to the podcast. If you have enjoyed it, please leave us a nice rating or comment on your podcast app or on YouTube and, if you are able to do so, please consider supporting our work from just £3/month on Patreon: www.patreon.com/hiraethpod
Rachel Stevens was one of the founding members of S Club 7, the pop band that took the world by storm in the early 2000s. She joins Anita to talk about her memoir Finding my Voice: A story of strength, belief and S Club, which covers her time in the hit-making band, her solo career and what it's been like being in the public eye.In a special extended 90 minute programme, Nuala McGovern hosted the Woman's Hour Election Debate. Senior women from the main political parties of Great Britain outlined their priorities for women and answered your questions.Taking part were: Scottish National Party spokesperson for Consular Affairs and International Engagement Hannah Bardell; Reform UK candidate Maria Bowtell; Green Party spokesperson for Housing and Communities Ellie Chowns; Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats Daisy Cooper; Conservative Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work Mims Davies; Labour's Shadow Minister for Industry and Decarbonisation Sarah Jones and Plaid Cymru's Westminster Leader Liz Saville Roberts.Actor Jill Halfpenny has starred in popular TV series such as Byker Grove, Coronation Street, EastEnders and The Cuckoo. She won an Olivier Award for her role in the musical Legally Blonde and she won the second series of BBC 1's Strictly Come Dancing. But, two tragic events have framed Jill's life story; when she was four years old her dad died suddenly of a heart attack. Then in 2017, in similarly tragic circumstances, her partner Matt died. Jill talks to Clare about confronting her grief head-on, something she examines in her new book, A Life Reimagined.For over a century, many Americans believed that interracial marriage was illegitimate and until the late 1960s, the American legal system supported that belief. Wedding Band: A Love/Hate Story in Black and White is a play written in the 1960s that explores the impact of these laws. Anita is joined by Monique Touko, the director of a new production of the play, and American historian Dr Leni Sorensen who had a black father and white mother in 1940s California.Can you ever really be just best friends with the love of your life? Laura Dockrill talks to Nuala about the thrills and awful heartache of first love, the inspiration for her first adult novel, ‘I love you, I love you, I love you.'Presenter Clare McDonnell Producer: Annette Wells Editor: Louise Corley
This bonus episode of Newscast is a profile of the leader of Plaid Cymru, Rhun ap Iorwerth.Adam is joined by Teleri Glyn Jones, political reporter for BBC Wales, and Dafydd Trystan, former chair of Plaid Cymru, to chronicle Rhun's early life and political career. They discuss his love of music, his move from journalism to politics, and what he has done to transform his party.This episode is part of a series where Newscast profiles each of the leaders of major political parties.Rishi Sunak: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0j477c7 Sir Keir Starmer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0j47dw8 John Swinney: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0j4x4rt Sir Ed Davey: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0j4x9cv Adrian Ramsay and Carla Denyer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0j5c3k2 Nigel Farage: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0j5c87wYou can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhereNewscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Miranda Slade with Sam McLaren. The technical producer was Michael Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.
It's been a horrendous campaign for the Conservatives so far, careening from disaster to catastrophe, but the Tories don't have the exclusive on political drama. This week Nish and Coco focus on the action in the devolved nations, with a particular focus on Wales and Northern Ireland. First, we check in with Welsh Journalist Will Hayward to learn about the recent vote of no confidence in First Minister Vaughan Gething and Labour's manifesto pledge to tune up the current devolution agreements. Then, Coco chats to Plaid Cymru Leader Rhun ap Iorwerth, to learn more about Plaid's ambitions for Wales and their plans to turn up the heat on Labour. Later, we check in to Northern Ireland, speaking to journalist Amanda Ferguson about the stakes of the next election and whether allegations about former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson will have any bearing on the election. Finally, the gang break out some of Coco's recently rebranded charming and quizzical moments. Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media.Contact us via email: PSUK@reducedlistening.co.uk WhatsApp: 07494 933 444 (UK) or + 44 7494 933 444 (internationally)Insta: https://instagram.com/podsavetheukTwitter: https://twitter.com/podsavetheukTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheukFacebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheukYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/podsavetheworld Guests:Rhun ap IorwerthWill HaywardAmanda Ferguson Audio credits:Sky NewsBlue Sky.mp3 by Sergmusic -- https://freesound.org/s/639933/ -- License: Creative Commons 0TikTok/ Suella Braverman Useful links:Jo Stevens interview with S4C https://x.com/NewyddionS4C/status/1802786241852707250Constituencies and candidates: Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr: https://whocanivotefor.co.uk/elections/parl.montgomeryshire-and-glyndwr.2024-07-04/montgomeryshire-and-glyndwr/Ynys Mon:https://whocanivotefor.co.uk/elections/parl.ynys-mon.2024-07-04/ynys-mon/Dudley:https://whocanivotefor.co.uk/elections/parl.dudley.2024-07-04/dudley/Fareham: https://whocanivotefor.co.uk/elections/parl.fareham-and-waterlooville.2024-07-04/fareham-and-waterlooville/
In a special extended 90 minute programme, Nuala McGovern hosts the Woman's Hour Election Debate. Senior women from the main political parties of Great Britain outline their priorities for women and answer your questions. Taking part are: Scottish National Party spokesperson for Consular Affairs and International Engagement Hannah Bardell; Reform UK candidate Maria Bowtell; Green Party spokesperson for Housing and Communities Ellie Chowns; Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats Daisy Cooper; Conservative Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work Mims Davies; Labour's Shadow Minister for Industry and Decarbonisation Sarah Jones and Plaid Cymru's Westminster Leader Liz Saville Roberts.
Isabel Hardman presents highlights from Sunday morning's politics shows. Election campaigns are ramping up, and we hear from the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, Labour, and Plaid Cymru. Mark Harper is asked why some Tory candidates are avoiding official Conservative branding, and Wes Streeting is asked whether Labour's manifesto amounts to real change. Produced by Joe Bedell-Brill.
Today we look at the Labour Party Manifesto launch and get an update into what the Undercover Voters have been seeing on their social media feeds.Adam speaks to Laura Kuenssberg and Jo Coburn about Labour's manifesto after it was launched today in Manchester by Keir Starmer. The manifesto promises ‘stability over chaos' and economic growth - but how do they plan to deliver on those commitments?Adam is also joined by BBC Wales Political reporter Teleri Glyn Jones to talk about the Plaid Cymru manifesto.And Marianna Spring has been investigating the accounts accused of being Vote Reform Bots.You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhereNewscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Miranda Slade with Gemma Roper and Sam McLaren. The technical producer was Michael Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.
In the words of ABBA, and Keir Starmer, Money Money Money - the Labour leader announced this morning in Manchester that wealth creation was the ‘number one priority' for the party.Hannah Barnes, associate editor, is joined by Rachel Cunliffe, associate political editor, and senior editor George Eaton to analyse the final manifesto's of the week from Labour and Plaid Cymru, and to review the odds on the latest Tory gaff.Sign up to the New Statesman's daily politics newsletter: Morning Call Submit a question for a future episode: You Ask Us Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sky News' deputy political editor Sam Coates and Politico's Jack Blanchard with their guide to the election day ahead. This is day 22 of the campaign. Jack and Sam discuss the fallout of last night's Sky News leaders' special event. They also talk about the Labour manifesto launch, Rishi Sunak in Italy for the G7, and Plaid Cymru's manifesto launch too. Email Jack and Sam: jackandsam@sky.uk
Paloma Faith is an award-winning singer, songwriter and actor. She has released six albums, including her most recent The Glorification of Sadness, received a BRIT Award, been a judge on The Voice UK as well as an actor in films such as St Trinian's and TV's series Pennyworth. She is also the mother of two daughters. She joins Clare to discuss her book – MILF - in which she delves into the issues that face women today from puberty and sexual awakenings, to battling through the expectations of patriarchy and the Supermum myth.In the first of our Woman's Hour interviews with the leaders of the main political parties in the run-up to the General Election, Clare McDonnell is joined by Rhun ap Iorwerth, who leads Plaid Cymru, or the Party of Wales.A new study in England says that a third of cases where newborns are at risk of being taken into care involve parents who have learning disabilities or learning difficulties. The research – which was commissioned by the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory – also finds that in over 80% of these cases, the parents' learning disabilities or difficulties had not been identified until their cases reached court. Clare is joined by the report author Katy Burch, child protection lawyer Reagan Persaud and she also hears from a parent whose children were recently taken into care. And following golfer Rory McIlroy's announcement that he and his wife Erica have "resolved their differences" and dismissed the divorce petition he filed for last month, we ask what keeps some couples returning time and again to particular relationships. Clare talks to behavourial psychologist & relationship coach Jo Hemmings.Presented by Clare McDonnell Producer: Laura Northedge
Now, it's not often that you can say that there has been too much news in Welsh politics, but this week there has been. Ongoing concerns about the financial donations to the First Minister's leadership campaign, leaks hinting at deletion of messages, his sudden sacking of a member of the Welsh Government, their replacement being appointed, the end of the Co-operation Agreement between Labour and Plaid Cymru and the extraordinary news that there is an active investigation into potential falsified expenses claims by a Senedd member. And most of that took place within 24 hours. So in this bonus episode, Hiraeth's own Matthew Hexter talks through the week's events and tries to put them into context, asking what they mean for Wales, our polity, our First Minister and the future of the Welsh Government. As always, you can find the latest from us @hiraethpod on most social media, including Twitter/X here: https://twitter.com/HiraethPod We hope you find this podcast interesting and useful. Please do send feedback, it's always great to hear what our audience thinks. Thank you for listening to the podcast. If you have enjoyed it, please leave us a nice rating or comment on your podcast app or on YouTube and, if you are able to do so, please consider supporting our work from just £3/month on Patreon: www.patreon.com/hiraethpod
Joining Iain Dale on Cross Question this evening are Conservative MP and former minister Paul Scully, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth and political commentator Jo-Anne Nadler.
This week on The Political Fourcast, another scandal hits the Tories - Mark Menzies MP loses the whip as the Conservative Party investigates claims that he misused campaign funds. He allegedly made a late night call to ask for money to pay off "bad people". He disputes the allegations and senior Tory MPs are telling voters not to rush to judgement. With upcoming local elections and a looming general election, the allegations risk damaging the party in government. But is today's story just another example in a long line of MPs from all parties flouting the rules? Since 2019, there have been at least 10 cases of Conservative MPs that have either been suspended or quit over allegations of misconduct. Similarly, across the same time period, there have been at least four Labour MPs accused of misconduct, along with one from the SNP and one from Plaid Cymru. This week, we speak to the SNP's deputy leader in the Commons Mhairi Black, who's announced she will stand down at the next election. And former Education Secretary Justine Greening, who had the Tory whip withdrawn after opposing Boris Johnson over Brexit in 2019. They talk to us about mistrust in politics, and why this “jaw dropping” scandal could be a “plague” on politics at large, and confirm what voters think of Westminster's politicians. Produced by Silvia Maresca, Shaheen Sattar, Rob Thomson, Calum Fraser, Nick Jackson.
The comedy and acting star Aisling Bea grew up in County Kildare in Ireland and in 2011 became the first woman for 20 years to win the prestigious stand-up competition So You Think You're Funny? Her Bafta-winning sitcom This Way Up firmly established her as a presence to be reckoned with on our TV screens- last year she played the lead in the film based on Take That's music, Greatest Days, and she regularly pops up on US TV and movies. She joins Emma Barnett to discuss her latest show, Alice and Jack, which has just begun on Channel 4.Following the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, we look at the role of his wife, Yulia Navalnaya, and whether she might become the new face of the opposition. Yulia is due to speak with European foreign ministers in Brussels today. To discuss, Emma is joined by the Spectator's Russia correspondent, Owen Matthews, who was Bureau Chief for Newsweek in Moscow for more than a decade, and Sarah Rainsford, BBC Eastern Europe Correspondent who was expelled from Russia after many years, and is now based in Warsaw. Carmen Smith is 27 and set to become the youngest peer in the House of Lords. Carmen will replace Plaid Cymru's only member of the Lords, Dafydd Wigley (the Rt, Hon Lord Wigley) who is retiring aged 80, and was a previously leader of Plaid. Carmen will be known as Baroness Smith of Llanfaes, the village where she grew up. She joins Emma to talk about the challenges ahead, the reaction to her selection and why she wants to join a body she believes should be abolished. Can Ancient Greek theories revolutionise our modern day lives? Australian author Brigid Delaney seems to think so. She talks to Emma about swapping wellness for stoicism, alongside classicist Professor Edith Hall.Presenter: Emma Barnett Produced by: Louise Corley Studio engineer: Steve Greenwood