Podcasts about Senedd

Send us a textFollowing the launch of our Step Up Senedd campaign, and despite an explicit assurance from the First Minister of Wales that the Welsh government would comply with the Supreme Court's clarification of the meaning of the words ‘woman', ‘man' and ‘sex' in the Equality Act 2010, no action has been taken by the Welsh government to correct scores of flawed government policies and practices that remain in breach of UK equality law. As a result, over 100 days on from that apex court's ruling, every day life for people in Wales continues to be fraught with discriminatory practices that seriously impact women and children. The Women's Rights Network in Wales responded with a clear message from the steps of the Senedd: Time is up!If you enjoyed listening to this podcast and would like to hear more, go to womensrights.network/wrn-podcast to listen, download and subscribe to more of our episodes. And if you'd like to join our conversations, go to womensrights.network/join-wrn

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.

Tracy Gilbert MP for Edinburgh North and Leith was chosen in October last year to introduce the Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) Bill.This "Ballot Bill" or private members bill received its second reading on 17 January 2025 and has been making progress through the Commons. It will now be considered by the House of Lords where it has already had its first reading. It is open to any MP who is not a government minister to propose a Private Members' Bill, and then they can proceed with it if their bill is chosen in the ballot.Ms Gilbert told The Edinburgh Reporter: "My bill has gone through all the stages in the House of Commons and we now need it to pass through the Lords. I'm still waiting to hear from the civil servants when that'll happen, but fingers crossed it should become law. And the bill is about absent voting. So in October 23, the UK gGovernment introduced an online digital service to enable people to apply online for a proxy or an absent voting application. If you were going to be on holiday for the general election or if you were not able to vote and you wanted to have someone else voting on your behalf you could apply online. But that only applied to England and Scotland and Wales for General Elections. It didn't apply for Scottish Government and Senedd elections, or for local government elections. My law, if passed, will enable us to use that digital service in Scotland and Wales for all elections so we're trying to get that through so that it's in place for May 2026."

It's the last week of the Senedd term and Fliss and Political Correspondent Dan Davies dive into the debate about devolution of justice and whether Westminster will pass over more powers. They are then joined by BBC Wales' Environment Correspondent to discuss the new Sustainable Farming Scheme proposals and whether the Welsh Government has done enough to get farmers and environmentalists both on board.

Send us a textAll political parties making up the Senedd in Wales were formally approached by the Women's Rights Network in Wales to have us come and speak with them about the importance of immediately complying with the Equality Act 2010 further to legal language clarification by the UK Supreme Court on 16th April 2025.Only the Welsh Conservative party took up the offer, inviting WRN in Wales to speak at their 2025 conference in Llangollen, Denbighshire.WRN Wales launched its ongoing campaign #StepUpSenedd on Tuesday, 13th May 2025 on the steps of the Welsh Senedd; it marked the beginning of ongoing actions that will ensure all members of the Welsh Senedd will hear 51% of the population.If you enjoyed listening to this podcast and would like to hear more, go to womensrights.network/wrn-podcast to listen, download and subscribe to more of our episodes. And if you'd like to join our conversations, go to womensrights.network/join-wrn

James is joined by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance Mark Drakeford to discuss taxes on tourism, budgets, taxing the wealthiest and the most recent Senedd polling. BBC Wales' Political Editor, Gareth Lewis, then joins the pod to dig into the detail of their discussion and also mops up another busy week in Welsh politics.

Could Reform UK get their first taste of government next year? They're the biggest party for Welsh voters, according to exclusive polling from More in Common ahead of the Senedd elections next year.  But what does this mean for Labour? The party was founded in Wales and since devolution in 1999, they've run the government there. Are they now scared of Reform?  So in this extra episode of Electoral Dysfunction, Beth meets Wales's first female First Minister – Labour's Eluned Morgan. She's also been taking the temperature with a group of Welsh voters.   They talk about the "Farage surge" in Wales ahead of the Senedd elections next May as Baronness Morgan admits the threat from Reform is "very serious" and that Labour have got "a lot of work to do" to stay in power.   Also – the first minister attempts to swerve rating the Keir Starmer's first year... but Beth's not letting her get away with it.   Remember, you can also watch us on YouTube

It's been a year since the UK General Election and James and Fliss look back at what's been a busy year in politics. They also talk about the challenges faced by UK Labour over the past week and the impact on the Welsh Government and Senedd election hopes with the latest U-turn on welfare reform. BBC Wales' Political Editor and Westminster Correspondent join the pod to report back on their very busy week.

Send us a textA month on from the UK Supreme Court's landmark ruling that the legal definition of woman within equality law refers to biological sex, WRN Wales held the Welsh Senedd to account. The #StepUpSenedd campaign was launched on the steps of the Welsh Parliament in Cardiff Bay.  Women from across Wales gathered with a clear message for politicians - no more excuses, comply with the law!Hear women set out the positive impact of the court ruling for all females, from school girls to vulnerable older women, from females deserving of safety in night clubs to the legal right to same sex intimate care delivered within the home.The Welsh government remains in breach of UK equality law and is showing little interest in correcting course.The Women's Rights Network in wales continually fights for the sex based rights of every woman and girl in Wales and across the world.If you enjoyed listening to this podcast and would like to hear more, go to womensrights.network/wrn-podcast to listen, download and subscribe to more of our episodes. And if you'd like to join our conversations, go to womensrights.network/join-wrn

Croeso i big Summer Blow Out yr Haclediad! Bydd Bryn, Iest a Sions yn mynd nôl i wreiddiau'r sioe mis yma, efo actual tech review go iawn o'r Nintendo Switch 2

Felicity is joined by PA's Political Editor David Hughes and BBC Political Correspondent Teleri Glyn Jones to discuss UK Labour's welfare cuts and whether the rebellion from MP's will result in a climbdown from the Prime Minister. Fliss then speaks to a GP from Powys and a palliative care consultant about why they are for and against the assisted dying bill. Professor Emyr Lewis talks through the constitutional challenges and what happens if the Senedd doesn't support the bill.

With just over a year to go until the 2026 Senedd elections, Welsh politics is anything but quiet. Reform UK is making noise, Plaid is recalibrating, and Labour is battling to stay visible - all as new EU-UK agreements raise questions about the future of flagship Welsh initiatives like the Taith scheme. Award-winning journalist Will Hayward joins Naomi Smith for a deep dive into the political forces shaping the next chapter of Welsh democracy. From Wrexham terraces to Cardiff Bay, it's all in flux and it all matters, and not just for Wales. ***SPONSOR US AT ⁠KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD⁠*** LINKS: Find Will Hayward's ⁠substack here⁠, his ⁠podcast here⁠, and his ⁠YouTube channel here⁠. Our bookshop including many of the books we have featured can be found at ⁠uk.bookshop.org/shop/quietriot⁠ ***SPONSOR US AT ⁠KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD⁠*** With Naomi Smith, Alex Andreou and Kenny Campbell – in cahoots with Sandstone Global. Email us at ⁠quietriotpod@gmail.com⁠. Or visit our website ⁠www.quietriotpod.com⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Money, Money, Money... James and Fliss speak to three Senedd politicians and two political editors about the UK government's upcoming Spending Review. And... following an inquiry by the Welsh Affairs Committee - what are the challenges facing Welsh farmers in 2025?

A new law which is intended to protect nature and reverse the loss of wildlife has been introduced by the Welsh Government. The Environment Bill aims to allow members of the public to challenge organisations in Wales, including councils, on environmental issues such as water pollution. If passed, it will set up a new Office of Environmental Governance, to enforce environmental law, and Ministers in the Senedd will have to set targets to reduce pollution and manage ecosystems.We visit Down Land Traditional Meats in West Sussex, where the owner says increasing financial strain and red tape is putting the future of small abattoirs at risk. The closure of abattoirs has been a long standing trend - in the 1970s the UK had 2 and half thousand abattoirs...but that had dropped to just 203 by 2023.And we find out about a high-tech cattle handling crate that incorporates software to monitor animals. It can minimise manual handling by drafting animals - where a herd is separated into smaller groups - by itself. Presented by Anna Hill Produced by Heather Simons

Between late 2024 and mid-May 2025, I briefed over 70 cross-party UK parliamentarians. Just over one-third were MPs, a similar share were members of the House of Lords, and just under one-third came from devolved legislatures — the Scottish Parliament, the Senedd, and the Northern Ireland Assembly. I also held eight additional meetings attended exclusively by parliamentary staffers. While I delivered some briefings alone, most were led by two members of our team. I did this as part of my work as a Policy Advisor with ControlAI, where we aim to build common knowledge of AI risks through clear, honest, and direct engagement with parliamentarians about both the challenges and potential solutions. To succeed at scale in managing AI risk, it is important to continue to build this common knowledge. For this reason, I have decided to share what I have learned over the past few months publicly, in [...] ---Outline:(01:37) (i) Overall reception of our briefings(04:21) (ii) Outreach tips(05:45) (iii) Key talking points(14:20) (iv) Crafting a good pitch(19:23) (v) Some challenges(23:07) (vi) General tips(28:57) (vii) Books & media articles--- First published: May 27th, 2025 Source: https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/Xwrajm92fdjd7cqnN/what-we-learned-from-briefing-70-lawmakers-on-the-threat --- Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.

With a year to go until the Senedd elections, Fin and Jane set out the five key education issues in Wales and look at what each of the main political parties has said about them. Social media:* Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123* Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/* Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactwales/Contact:Email: enquiries@impact.wales Tel: 029 2167 9140BOOKSClosing the Disadvantage GapPRE-ORDER:https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1032824107/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0Power Up Your Pedagogy:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Up-Your-Pedagogy-Illustrated/dp/1398388068Subscribe to ImpactPlus today:www.impact.wales/impactplusPRODUCTIONHosts: Finola Wilson and Jane MillerProducer: Darren EvansVisit us at: www.impact.walesMusic: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

Julie Morgan MS, Lord Wigley and Anthony Pickles dissect the latest polling with a year to go until the Senedd elections. Ian Gerrard, head of Ysgol Aberconwy discusses the use of smartphones in schools and their effect on behaviour. NUS Wales president Deio Owen talks about the possible plan to allow free movement of students across Europe and Dr Anne Harrington from Cardiff University reminds us that the second world war continued in the pacific after VE day, ending only with atomic warfare. Journalist Abbie Wightwick and conservative group leader at Monmouthshire council, Richard John review the papers.

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.

Professor Sir John Curtice takes us through the data on the closest by-election since the second world war and local elections in England. Niki Savva joins us from Canberra with the latest on the Australian general election. Neha Mukherjee explains why the US wants the deal on Ukrainian minerals so much. Professor Richard Wyn Jones looks ahead to the Senedd 2026 election, and Councillor Calum Davies tells us why he thinks the Conservatives should embrace getting rid of the Senedd.Sandra Loy from Cardiff Journalism School and Alex Barros-Curtis MP review the papers.

Alex Andreou and Naomi Smith with a Grin And Share It Special, featuring TEN good news stories from politics to the environment and LEGO bricks to beavers. Read more about Intertrade UK here. Find out about the Senedd's plans to punish politicians who lie. Look at the French metro's turnstiles that generate energy! Read about (and see) the LEGO bricks here. Why are publishers taking Russell Brand to court? The loveliest little video rental place in Canada. Sing up for updates from Patriotic Millionaires UK. Transparent solar panels! They are actually a thing. Check out this underwater rewilding programme. Oh - and of course, WHO COULD FORGET BEAVERS! ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** ALEX ANDREOU'S PODYSSEY can be found here: APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/alex-andreous-podyssey/id1798575126 SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/2x7cD3HjkOyOKTF4YT5Goy?si=e7a86b762431451f AMAZON MUSIC: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/8c996062-ef8d-42e4-9d80-5b407cb6e2e2/alex-andreou's-podyssey OVERCAST: https://overcast.fm/+ABN4Gd7AP9Q POCKET CASTS: https://pca.st/podcast/9e98d690-d812-013d-ea22-0affdfd67dbd YouTube Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=l9GIOOP7pUU&list=PLo7dIXWHNar1u1rKsXUTgYnDhJebTp-eo PODBEAN: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/gt7a4-3460bc/Alex-Andreou%27s-Podyssey-Podcast Or you can add it to any app, using the RSS feed: https://feeds.megaphone.fm/podyssey SUBSCRIBE OR FOLLOW NOW! Our bookshop including many of the books we have featured can be found at uk.bookshop.org/shop/quietriot ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** With Naomi Smith, Alex Andreou and Kenny Campbell – in cahoots with Sandstone Global. Email us at quietriotpod@gmail.com. Or visit our website www.quietriotpod.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr Eurfyl ap Gwilym yr economegydd yw gwestai Beti George. Daeth un digwyddiad yn 2010 ag ef i sylw mawr pan fentrodd herio Jeremy Paxman, un o'r newyddiadurwyr uchaf ei barch ym Mhrydain. Drannoeth 'roedd y gwefannau ar dân. Mi ddaru Eurfyl elwa o'r ffaith fod o ddim yn cyfadde' ei fod o'n anghywir ac mi ddaliodd arno. Mae o di cael pobol yn dod ato yn ei adnabod o'r teledu - yng Nghaerdydd a Llundain … “You're the Paxman man! Well Done”.Dechreuodd ei yrfa gyda chwmni Unilever ar gynllun datblygu rheolwyr busnes. Bu'n gweithio gyda chwmni John Williams yn rheoli pob agwedd o'r busnes. Bu'n Bennaeth adran gwerthu cyfrifiaduron gyda chwmni mawr electroneg Philips, cwmni rhyngwladol – o'r Iseldiroedd. Bu'n gweithio gyda GE. Bu'n brif weithredwr i gwmni meddalwedd rhyngwladol yn Llundain ( Cwmni o UDA ydoedd). Gwerthu a datblygu meddalwedd i fanciau.Bu'n gweithio gyda'r Principality yn ddirprwy gadeirydd ac yn gyfarwyddwr anweithredol byrddau technolegol, a bu'n gweithio gyda Phlaid Cymru. Bu'n helpu Gwynfor Evans yn ystod cyfnod 1966- '67. " Doedd dim llawer o adnoddau pan aeth Gwynfor mewn i'r Senedd yn '66, 'roeddem ni'n gosod cwestiynau Seneddol, doedd dim google, a dim modd cael llawer o wybodaeth, felly roedden ni'n codi llawer iawn o gwestiynau".Cawn hanesion difyr ei fywyd ac mae'n dewis 4 cân gan gynnwys Dafydd Iwan a Karl Jenkins.

The teaching of early reading in Wales has been a hot topic recently. In this episode, Jane and Fin discuss the evidence Estyn Chief Inspector Owen Evans gave to a Senedd committee on this subject. The second part of this podcast will be available exclusively on our private Facebook group for teachers and leaders in Wales - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/LINKSFREE webinar: Closing the Disadvantage Gap, April 9th, 4pm-4:45pmBook tickets hereSocial media:* Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123* Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/* Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactwales/Contact:Email: enquiries@impact.wales Tel: 029 2167 9140Buy our book Power Up Your Pedagogy:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Up-Your-Pedagogy-Illustrated/dp/1398388068Subscribe to ImpactPlus today:www.impact.wales/impactplusPRODUCTIONHosts: Finola Wilson and Jane MillerProducer: Darren EvansVisit us at: www.impact.walesMusic: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

This week, Politics Weekly UK is on the road in south-east Wales, hearing from those in traditional Labour heartlands. But with people increasingly frustrated that public services are crumbling and that nothing seems to change, Nigel Farage's party fancies its chances at next year's Senedd elections. John Harris asks why Reform UK is on the rise in Wales and what it tells us about the future of British politics. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Nick is joined by ITV and Sky broadcaster Matt Chapman to take a Friday canter around the racing world. Guests today include Michael Buckley, who is relaxed in conversation with Nick as Constitution Hill begins his build up towards regaining his Champion Hurdle crown. Also on today's show, ARC Regional Director Phil Bell - responsible for two of the Welsh racecourses - offers reassurance as regards relations with the Senedd on the back of the proposed greyhound ban. Plus, in Riyadh, Nick talks to Kenny McPeek about Saudi Cup hopeful Rattle 'N Roll as well as his likely Epsom Derby contender, plans to bring Kentucky Derby hero Mystik Dan to Royal Ascot, and the reappearance of Thorpedo Anna. Naohiro Goda has the lowdown on the Japanese challenge, while HBA's Frank Sale spins through TV options for the worldwide audience. Nick and Matt also have plenty of chat on the UK action this weekend.

James and guest presenter Bethan Rhys Roberts look into a Senedd report on politicians who deliberately deceive. Members of the Senedd who lie could lose their seats under the Committee's recommendations. Mick Antoniw MS, a member of the Standards of Conduct Committee and formerly the Welsh Government's Counsel General, talks through their proposals. Baroness Fox of Buckley joins the podcast to discuss the issues she has with their ideas of policing lying. Bethan and James are then joined by the Welsh Language Commissioner to discuss a recent YouGov poll which looks at how the public feel about the language.

A Welsh Labour budget deal has been struck. James sits down with BBC Wales' Political Editor and our Education, Health and Business Correspondents to digest the details on today's bonus episode. With a little help from the Liberal Democrats the Budget is set to pass when its voted on by the Senedd in March. The deal, which was worth more than £100m, makes the Welsh Government's Budget possible as they are unable to get anything over the line without at least one opposition politician on side.

Ukrainian journalist Romeo Kokriatski joins us from Kyiv to discuss developments on the Ukraine-Russian war. Higher Education Minister Vikki Howells is with us to discuss university funding and falling numbers enrolling for higher education. Mick Antoniw MS talks about the Senedd's upcoming standards committee's report on deliberate deception. As Germany prepares to go to the polls, Professor of German Andrea Hammel discusses the main issues in the election. And Richard O'Brien tells us more about the work of Margaret Lloyd George during the first world war.

Felicity Evans and guest presenter Elliw Gwawr discuss faith and it's role in politics with Canon Aled Edwards, Senedd Member and Patron of Humanists UK Julie Morgan MS and the FT's Whitehall Editor Lucy Fisher. Our Political Editor Gareth Lewis also joins the pod to discuss the quarter of Welsh Labour MS' who have announced they will stand down at the 2026 Senedd elections. That busy schedule is rounded off with a final farewell to Walescast's Producer Andy Fry who is leaving BBC Wales after three decades.

The January news podcast for the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists featuring Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs, Cara McDonagh, Director of Communications and Engagement and Pippa Cotterill, Head of Wales for the RCSLT. Published 24 January 2025.It's the RCSLT's 80th anniversary! In this podcast our guests tell you all about a launch of the birthday year which was held in the Welsh Senedd and also how you can get involved in the celebrations.www.rcslt.org/news/celebrating-t…he-rcslt-turns-80https://www.rcslt.org/news/rcslt-wales-launch-report-at-senedd-event/ In other news:The VoiceBox 2025 competition launched on 'Blue Monday'. It's now open for primary aged children across Scotland to share their best joke: www.rcslt.org/news/voicebox-2025…nd-on-blue-monday/We are thrilled to say that the Invest in SLT petition tabled by Mikey Akers will be debated in Parliament on Monday 27 January: www.rcslt.org/news/invest-in-slt…ted-in-parliament/The Welsh Conservatives led a debate on speech and language therapy in the Senedd: https://www.senedd.tv/Meeting/Clip/1f043949-cb18-427c-b794-151b1044adc3?inPoint=03:45:32&outPoint=04:37:08This interview was conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and produced and edited by freelance producer Jacques Strauss.Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.Please do take a few moments to respond to our podcast survey: uk.surveymonkey.com/r/LG5HC3R

Felicity Evans and James Williams hear from the chair of the Senedd's standards committee Hannah Blythyn MS about its recommendations for a recall system that would allow voters to evict politicians who have misbehaved from the Welsh Parliament. Fliss and James also quiz her about the circumstances of her sacking from the Welsh Government last year - when the then-First Minister Vaughan Gething said that media leaks of a ministerial group chat during the pandemic came from her mobile phone.

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.

There are few people that have been at the centre of Welsh national politics for as long as Mark Drakeford. As a councillor, special advisor, Assembly Member, Cabinet Secretary, Minister, and First Minister - as well as leader of Welsh Labour - his experience is unrivalled. In this session recorded at Labour Party conference Mark is interviewed by friend of the pod Jess Blair (of the Electoral Reform Society) about his thoughts on Welsh democracy past, present, and future, the key debates around redesigning the electoral system for the Senedd in 2026 and beyond and some of the big challenges he faced bringing the legislation through both our national parliament and the Labour Party itself. Mark also takes questions from the floor about widening representation in the Senedd, republicanism, House of Lords reform, and expanding the franchise. You can follow our speakers here: - Mark Drakeford MS: https://x.com/MarkDrakeford - Jess Blair: https://x.com/JessBlair7 - ERS Cymru: https://x.com/ERScymru As always, you can find the latest from us on the socials @hiraethpod, including BlueSky here: https://bsky.app/profile/hiraethpod.bsky.social 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: https://www.patreon.com/hiraethpod

We're closing out the year with a few pods that we couldn't quite find a way to squeeze in the feed earlier in the year, including this one which is an interview with Dr Rowan Williams and Prof Laura McAllister who co-chaired the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales. Recorded in October 2024 at Cardiff Business School and chaired by Sarah Lethbridge of the Executive Education team, the pod invites both Laura and Rowan to reflect on the work that they did on the commission, the progress on the recommendations they made in their final report, and to answer questions from an in-person and virtual audience about their work. They also address the new context of recently-formed Labour Governments in Wales and the UK (a long way from the Mark Drakeford- and Liz Truss-led governments when the commission was announced!) and answer questions in relation to local government and the new Senedd electoral system. You can read the Commission's Final Report here: https://www.gov.wales/independent-commission-on-the-constitutional-future-of-wales-final-report Find out more about Rowan here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rowan_Williams Find Laura here on X: https://x.com/LauraMcAllister And Sarah here: https://x.com/sarahlethbridge with the Cardiff Business Executive Education team here: https://x.com/CbsExec As always, you can find the latest from us on the socials @hiraethpod, including BlueSky here: https://bsky.app/profile/hiraethpod.bsky.social 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: https://www.patreon.com/hiraethpod

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

Political news, discussions and analysis, plus a round up of the Sunday papers with our guest reviewers.

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"

As we come to the end of 2024, we thought it would be a great idea to catch up with friend of the pod and leading independent journalist in Wales, Will Hayward. We catch up with Will about his own latest developments in terms of addressing an under-served Welsh news space, his outlook on the public and political mood across the country and take a look at the state of the political parties as attention inevitably turns to the Senedd 2026 election. You can find Will pretty much everywhere on social media but try starting with the below: Will Hayward Newsletter: https://substack.com/@willhayward For Wales, See Wales Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/36K7BSmczcZywwqmGT8ALq Will's website: https://willhayward.co.uk/ As always, you can find the latest from us here: https://x.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: https://www.patreon.com/hiraethpod

Revs with a difference Jamie Franklin and Daniel French get together to talk about the most important issues in church and state. This time:Thoughts on the upcoming budget.Trump on the Joe Rogan podcast.The Lambeth Palace clarification piece on Archbishop Justin's comments on gay sex.The now widely-known truth about the Southport killer and associated media and government gaslighting. Assisted killing update as the Senedd refuses to back Euthanasia.And a parish church is rebuked for not following the net zero ideology.All that and much much more as ever.Please Support!Support us on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/irreverend) or Buy Me a Coffee (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/irreverend). Subscribe to Jamie's Blog here: https://jamiefranklin.substack.comLinks:Archbishop continuing controversy: https://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/news/news-and-statements/lambeth-palace-statement?fbclid=IwY2xjawGF_yhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHYgkuNns07NTaHjAGL4axBcrTYD3RLWaT1ktEpAGEMN15RYqwx6EaoA8kg_aem_8T2-MR74rO9lykOOChXiywAllison Pearson on the truth about the Southport Massacre: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/10/29/the-southport-child-victims-deserve-better/Senedd votes against assisted dying: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce8912eld73o#:~:text=Assisted%20dying%20move%20defeated%20in%20Senedd%20vote&text=Senedd%20members%2C%20including%20First%20Minister,Wales%20if%20the%20law%20changedPerils of assisted dying from legal experts: https://www.theguardian.com/news/2024/oct/27/austerity-hurts-more-than-a-smackParish rebuked for buying gas heater: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/10/26/church-of-england-reprimands-parish-buying-gas-heaters/Potential VAT tax cuts on church restoration: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/10/27/rachel-reeves-budget-risks-triggering-wave-church-closures/Notices:Follow us on Twitter: https://x.com/IrreverendPodFind me a church: https://irreverendpod.com/church-finder/Join our Irreverend Telegram group: https://t.me/irreverendpodFind links to our episodes, social media accounts and ways to support us at https://www.irreverendpod.com!Thursday Circles: http://thursdaycircle.comJamie's Good Things Substack: https://jamiefranklin.substack.comSupport the show

As you may have seen on our socials recently, we just hosted our first live event with friends of the pod from the That's Devolved! team, and great Cardiff venue, Porters. Our guest is one of the few Members of the Senedd with high name recognition, with all the good and bad that comes with that - Lee Waters, Member for Llanelli. Widely considered one of the most intellectually curious and independently minded of the Labour group, he will be forever be linked with the events of the last year which saw him usher in one of the most contested pieces of Welsh Law in the shape of the 20mph default speed limit across the country. His public comments on the controversies surrounding Vaughan Gething's time as Labour leader also put Lee at odds with many inside the party and precipitated a government revolt forcing the then-FM to stand down. However, as you will hear in this interview chaired by our own Matthew Hexter, Lee has plenty of valuable insight to both the inner workings and outer dysfunctions of our parliament and government machines, and the surrounding political cultures. Enjoy! A video of this event is available here: https://youtu.be/VZbWZRaWIFY Our partners: That's Devolved: https://x.com/ThatsDevolved Porters Cardiff: https://x.com/Porterscardiff 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

In CI News this week: The Prime Minister has been urged not to pursue a “full trans-inclusive ban” on so called conversion practices, scandal-hit LGBT group Mermaids is reprimanded by the Charity Commission over multiple failings, and the Welsh Parliament votes not to support legalising assisted suicide. You can download the video via this link. Featured stories PM urged to ditch anti-parent conversion practices law Children's Commissioner: ‘Axe legal defence of reasonable chastisement' Mermaids: LGBT group rapped by Charity Commission over multiple failings Senedd rejects assisted suicide

Felicity Evans and James Williams are joined by BBC colleague David Deans to look back at the Senedd debate on assisted dying that ultimately saw MSs vote against the idea. Grassroots Welsh Conservative Huw Davies explains why some in the party - himself included - would like to see the party commit to ending devolution. And the former Treasury special advisor Aled Maclean-Jones lifts the lid on what goes on behind the scenes at the Treasury in the run-up to a Budget

After what can only be described as a catastrophic UK General Election which left the Conservatives without a single MP in the country, it could be expected that the mood inside the Senedd group and wider party in Wales would be sombre. However, due to the new UK Labour Government's surprisingly troubled first 100 days and the drama and trauma surrounding the Welsh Labour Government so far this year, the Conservatives see plenty for potential to rebuild. To discuss the state of the party in Wales, reflect on the UK election result, the current leadership contest, the rise of Reform UK, and the prospects for the next Senedd election, we are joined by James Evans MS, Member of the Senedd for Brecon and Radnorshire. You can find James on X/Twitter here: https://x.com/JamesEvansMS 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

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

Felicity Evans and James Williams look back at the Green Party's recent get together in Manchester with its Welsh leader Anthony Slaughter - and the Liberal Democrats' gathering in Brighton with the party's newly-elected MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe, David Chadwick. With both parties returning record numbers of MPs to Westminster in the General Election the mood at their conferences was celebratory. But already their attention is turning to the Senedd elections in 20 months time.

Felicity Evans, James Williams and guests discuss the new First Minister Eluned Morgan's top priorities - as set out in a speech to the Senedd earlier in the week. Former health board chair professor Marcus Longley explains the challenges in delivering improvements to the NHS in Wales; BBC Wales business correspondent Huw Thomas looks at possible approaches to creating jobs within a greener economy; and BBC Wales education correspondent Bethan Lewis explores what the commitment to driving up standards in schools may involve

James Williams pores over the proposed new electoral map of Wales for the 2026 Senedd elections with Shereen Williams of the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru and discusses the issues preoccupying MPs as they return to Parliament with BBC Wales Westminster reporter Shelley Phelps

We kick off September in the same way that political parties and campaigners all across Wales are doing, with eyes on the new proposals for Senedd 'super constituencies' that will be contested in the 2026 Welsh general election. The Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru's remit from the Senedd has been to find a robust way to pair off our 32 UK Parliament constituencies and create 16 'super constituencies', from which six Senedd Members will be elected on a PR list system, similar to our current regional list system. But this is not an easy task, and the timeline is extremely tight for this kind of work. So we're delighted to be joined by BDCC CEO Shereen Williams to introduce the proposals and discuss the details of the project. - Find the proposals here: https://www.dbcc.gov.wales/ - Follow the DBCC on socials: https://linktr.ee/democracycymru - And Shereen is here: https://x.com/ShereenWilliams 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

Today, we look at Starmer accusing Sunak of lying in last night's debate, and the vote of no confidence in Vaughan Gething, the first minister of Wales.As the dust settles from last night's debate, Adam, Chris and Alex focus on Rishi Sunak's claim that Labour plans would mean a £2,000 tax rise for voters. And, we look at the caring plan revealed by the Liberal Democrats. Plus, after a dramatic day in the Senedd, Adam is joined by Gareth Lewis, political editor of BBC Wales You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Gemma Roper and Sam Mclaren. The technical producer was Philip Bull. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.