Senedd Sources

In this episode of Senedd Sources, Ollie Cole, Jo Kiernan and Craig Lawton break down a dramatic week in Welsh politics — including the rapid-fire budget deal between Labour and Plaid Cymru and what this all means ahead of the 2025 Senedd election.We’re also joined by special guest Tom Giffard MS, Welsh Conservative Member of the Senedd for South Wales West. Tom gives us his take on:The Plaid–Labour budget agreementWhether the Conservatives can hold seats in MayHow big a threat Reform UK really isWhat message Welsh Tories need to win back votersWhat the new electoral system might mean for incumbentsThe realities of campaigning under the new 6-member constituencies🎧 Subscribe for weekly analysis, inside knowledge and exclusive Senedd scoops.📲 WhatsApp us your thoughts or voice notes: 0333 404 6507 (start with Senedd).📧 Email: hello@seneddsources.com.

Wales just hosted its biggest investment event in decades — but will the £16bn announcements move the polls before May’s Senedd elections?In this week’s Senedd Sources, Ollie, Jo and Craig break down a huge week in Welsh politics:🏢 Wales’ Global Investment Summit• Was the £16bn package real, new or repackaged?• What role did UK Labour ministers, the Prince of Wales, and companies like Nvidia play?• Will it help Welsh Labour before the Senedd elections?⚠️ Welsh Labour Backbench Revolt• 11 Labour MSs accuse Westminster of “rolling back devolution”• Why they say a Labour UK Government is “bypassing” Wales• How this impacts the campaign — and whether UK Labour is listening🔄 Reform UK’s Welsh Leadership Mystery• Why former Welsh Secretary David Jones WON’T be leading Reform• What his decision means — and who might step in⚖️ Assisted Dying Bill & WalesWith guest Fran Hall from Dignity in Dying, we explore:• What the Assisted Dying Bill means for Wales• Why the Senedd must vote on a Legislative Consent Motion• Will Welsh patients have equal access — or have to travel?

This week, Ollie Cole, Jo Kiernan and Craig Lawton break down one of the biggest political weeks of the year, including Rachel Reeves’ long-trailed Westminster Budget and what it really means for Wales.We analyse:Why the Budget felt like “Groundhog Day”The lifting of the two-child benefit cap and how it could lift 26,000 Welsh children out of povertyThe hidden impact of tax threshold freezes and the “biggest stealth tax rise ever”Why Wales only gets limited wiggle room despite new Barnett funding and borrowing powersLabour’s messaging ahead of the 2026 Senedd electionThe Senedd vote rejecting the Budget and what it signals for the Welsh Government’s shaky six-month futurePLUS — Senedd Sources exclusive:➡️ Plaid Cymru HAVE now entered budget talks, despite public coyness. We explain what they want, what they might trade, and the political dangers if the Budget falls.And in the second half of the episode:The sentencing of Nathan GillThe extraordinary details revealed in courtWhat this means for Nigel Farage, Reform UK and the wider Welsh political landscapeWe also head into "Leaflet Corner" as election leaflets begin landing across Wales — analysing the early campaign strategies of Welsh Labour, the Conservatives, Plaid Cymru and Reform.🎧 Subscribe for weekly analysis, inside knowledge and exclusive Senedd scoops.📲 WhatsApp us your thoughts or voice notes: 0333 404 6507 (start with SENEdd).📧 Email: hello@seneddsources.com

In this week’s episode of Senedd Sources, Ollie Cole, Jo Kiernan and Craig Lawton sit down with Cai Parry-Jones, Reform UK spokesperson in Wales and Vice Chair of the Anglesey, Bangor & Aberconwy branch.With Reform UK rapidly increasing its vote share and shaking up Welsh politics — including a huge showing in the Caerphilly by-election — this conversation cuts through the noise and looks at what the party actually stands for going into the 2026 Senedd election.We ask:•⁠ ⁠Does Reform UK have a clear Welsh identity, or is it a British nationalist project?•⁠ ⁠What really drove their surge in Caerphilly?•⁠ ⁠When will we see a Welsh leader — and who is making the decision?•⁠ ⁠How are candidates being selected?•⁠ ⁠How seriously does the party take political abuse and safety concerns?•⁠ ⁠Will Nigel Farage be an asset or distraction in Wales?•⁠ ⁠What policies can we expect — including the 20mph limit reversal?•⁠ ⁠How will Reform UK address Welsh language decline and devolved public services?Cai gives rare insight into:✔ internal policy development✔ candidate vetting✔ tensions between UK-wide messaging and Welsh-specific issues✔ the weight given to social media activism✔ Reform UK's claims of facing a uniquely intense level of abuseThis episode also dives into:– the future of political campaigning in Wales– whether Reform UK can maintain momentum without a clear leader– how the new Senedd electoral system could reshape party fortunes– the party’s ambition to present the most “pro-business” manifesto since devolutionWhether you support Reform UK, oppose them, or simply want to understand their growing influence, this is a must-listen episode for understanding the next six months in Welsh politics.📱 WhatsApp the show with comments or questions: 0333 404 6507 (start your message with "Senedd")📧 Email: hello@seneddsources.comGet tickets to join us at Public Affairs Cymru: https://publicaffairscymru.com/events/

Welcome to Senedd Sources — your inside track on Welsh politics.This week, Ollie Cole, Jo Kiernan and Craig Lawton unpack a jam-packed week in Welsh and UK politics.🟢 Can the Green Party win their first ever Senedd seat?With membership tripling and Zack Polanski energising the movement, the Greens are targeting key constituencies like Cardiff and Penarth — but could a split between the Welsh and English parties be coming?🔵 Reform’s only Senedd member faces suspensionLaura Anne Jones’ two-week suspension raises deep questions about standards, NDAs, and taxpayer money being used to silence staff. Jo launches a fiery rant on why the Senedd’s standards system is “not fit for purpose”.🔴 Labour meltdown in Downing StreetKeir Starmer’s team face open revolt as aides brief against senior cabinet ministers — just months before major Welsh elections. What does this mean for Labour’s credibility in Wales, and do they even know there’s an election on?📲 Join the conversation:WhatsApp us a voice note: 0333 404 6507 (start your message with “Senedd”)Or email: hello@seneddsources.com🗳️ Subscribe to stay ahead of Welsh politics every week — analysis, insight, and no spin.🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth joins Senedd Sources to discuss his party’s stunning by-election win in Caerphilly, what it means for the 2026 Senedd election, and how Plaid plans to challenge both Labour’s dominance in Cardiff Bay and the rise of Reform UK. Rhun speaks candidly about populism, independence, cooperation in Welsh politics, and why he’s ready to lead Wales as First Minister. In this in-depth interview with Ollie Cole, Jo Kiernan, and Craig Lawton, Rhun explains:Why Plaid Cymru’s Caerphilly win signals a “fundamental shift” in Welsh politicsHis view on British vs Welsh nationalism and what sets Plaid apartWhether Labour’s disillusionment under Keir Starmer gives Plaid a path to powerHis plans for childcare reform, tackling child poverty, and preparing for governmentThe realistic timeline for Welsh independence — and why he’s “not putting anything on the back burner” 🎧 Subscribe for more from Senedd Sources — your inside track on Welsh politics, policy and power in Cardiff Bay. 📅 New episodes every week.