Senedd Sources

This week we're doing something a little different with a special Holyrood Sources x Senedd Sources crossover. While Jo is away, Ollie brings you the latest from Cardiff Bay before handing over to our colleagues in Scotland for a fascinating discussion on what Andy Burnham's rise could mean for Wales, Scotland and the future of devolution across the UK.In this episode we discuss:- Andy Burnham's Welsh opinion piece controversy.- Plaid Cymru's budget negotiations and governing challenges.- What a new UK Prime Minister could mean for the UK- How Scotland is viewing the political changes from Westminster.- A special Holyrood Sources panel recorded from Westminster.📩 Got a question about Welsh politics? Send us a WhatsApp voice note or email and we could answer it in a future episode.WhatsApp: 0333 404 6507 (Start your message with the word Senedd)Email: Hello@seneddsources.comIf you enjoy in-depth coverage of the Senedd, Welsh Government, Cardiff Bay and UK politics, make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.*****Welcome inside Welsh politics. Senedd Sources hears from those who have lived it in decision-forming and policy-making for Wales to assess politics, today, in Wales and for Wales. Join journalist Ollie Cole and former Welsh Labour adviser Jo Kiernan as they share their experiences, and shape conversation about Welsh politics today.

The housing crisis in Wales isn't going away—but can the new Welsh Government actually fix it?In this episode of Senedd Sources, Ollie Cole sits down with Stuart Ropke, Chief Executive of Community Housing Cymru, to discuss one of the biggest challenges facing Wales: building enough affordable and social housing.With Plaid Cymru promising 20,000 new social homes over the next Senedd term, is the target realistic? We explore the funding challenges, planning delays, construction skills shortages, temporary accommodation crisis, and what needs to change if Wales is to tackle its housing emergency.We also discuss:🏠 Can Wales really build 20,000 new homes?💷 Is there enough funding for social housing?🏗️ What's stopping homes being built?👷 The construction skills shortage in Wales🌱 The challenge of decarbonising existing housing stock🏛️ What the new Plaid Cymru Government means for housing policy📈 Why planning reform, infrastructure and long-term investment matterWhether you're interested in Welsh politics, housing policy, or the future of the Senedd, this conversation explains the key issues shaping housing in Wales.Subscribe to Senedd Sources for weekly interviews, analysis and explainers on Welsh politics, the Senedd and the decisions affecting communities across Wales.💬 What do you think? Can Wales solve its housing crisis? Let us know in the comments.#Wales #WelshPolitics #HousingCrisis #SocialHousing #PlaidCymru #Senedd #AffordableHousing #Housing #Politics #CommunityHousing #WelshGovernment✉️ Get in touch!Have a comment or question you want us to dive into on the next show?WhatsApp: 0333 404 6507 (Start your message with the word Senedd)Email: Hello@seneddsources.com*****Welcome inside Welsh politics. Senedd Sources hears from those who have lived it in decision-forming and policy-making for Wales to assess politics, today, in Wales and for Wales. Join journalist Ollie Cole and former Welsh Labour adviser Jo Kiernan as they share their experiences, and shape conversation about Welsh politics today.

Reform UK’s rise is sending shockwaves through Welsh and UK politics — and the impact is already being felt in the Senedd.In this episode of Senedd Sources, the panel discusses how recent political turmoil in Westminster, including leadership uncertainty and shifting alliances, is reshaping the balance of power in Wales.With a new Prime Minister on the horizon, questions are mounting about the future of devolution, how Cardiff Bay will respond, and whether traditional party politics in Wales is being fundamentally rewritten.The conversation also explores:- The growing influence of Reform UK in Welsh political debate- What a new UK Prime Minister means for Wales and devolution- Internal pressure on Labour and the Senedd opposition- Whether political walkouts and confrontational tactics are effective- The future of Welsh governance in a rapidly changing UK landscape- And we say goodbye to Craig Lawton, who is sadly leaving the pod to start a few role elsewhereThis is a moment of political change — and Wales is right at the centre of it.📍 Subscribe for weekly breakdowns of Welsh and UK politics from inside the Senedd.✉️ Get in touch!Have a comment or question you want us to dive into on the next show?WhatsApp Voice Note: 0333 404 6507 (Start your message with the word Senedd)Email: Hello@seneddsources.comSubscribe on your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode!#WelshPolitics #Senedd #ReformUK #UKPolitics #WalesNews #PoliticsPodcast*****Welcome inside Welsh politics. Senedd Sources hears from those who have lived it in decision-forming and policy-making for Wales to assess politics, today, in Wales and for Wales. Join journalist Ollie Cole, former Welsh Labour adviser Jo Kiernan and former Welsh Conservative candidate and adviser Craig Lawton as they share their experiences, and shape conversation about Welsh politics today.

Drama has officially arrived in the expanded Senedd. In this week's episode of Senedd Sources, Ollie Cole, Jo Kiernan, and Craig Lawton unpack a tumultuous week in Welsh politics marked by a full-blown chamber walkout, a massive policy clash over international spending, and a surprise legislative win for Reform UK.First, we break down the fallout from Reform UK MS Joe Martin’s controversial speeches on asylum seekers and international development, which prompted Plaid Cymru, Labour, and Green MSs to turn their backs and walk out. Is this insurgent tactic here to stay, or will the Presiding Officer Huw Irranca-Davis clamp down with sanctions?Next, we dive deep into the numbers. Finance Minister Elon Jones is laying down a supplementary budget for the NHS and childcare pledges, but former First Minister Mark Drakeford has some choice words about Plaid’s math. Where is the money going to come from?Finally, we discuss the new statutory lobbying register—a massive early win for Reform UK—and break down the brand-new Senedd committee chairs.✉️ Get in touch!Have a comment or question you want us to dive into on the next show?WhatsApp Voice Note: 0333 404 6507 (Start your message with the word Senedd)Email: Hello@seneddsources.comSubscribe on your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode!

Baby steps or budget headaches?This week, Plaid Cymru found itself under growing pressure to explain one of its flagship election promises: expanding childcare provision across Wales. Opposition parties are demanding answers on costings, delivery and timescales, while ministers insist details are on the way.In this episode of Senedd Sources, Ollie Cole, Jo Kiernan and Craig Lawton examine the first signs that governing may prove much harder than campaigning, as the new Welsh Government faces scrutiny from all sides.We discuss:Why Plaid Cymru's childcare plans are already under pressureThe row over costings and whether the numbers add upThe unexpected voting alliances emerging in the new SeneddHow Reform UK is adapting to life as the largest opposition groupThe long-awaited announcement of Senedd committeesWhich parties could end up controlling key scrutiny rolesWhether an expanded Senedd is coping with its growing workloadThe latest Labour Party turmoil and what Andy Burnham's leadership ambitions could mean for Welsh politicsWith the honeymoon period fading, committees finally taking shape and ministers facing tougher questions, Welsh politics is entering a fascinating new chapter.🎧 Subscribe for weekly analysis of Welsh politics, the Senedd and policymaking.📲 Send us your voice notes on WhatsApp: 0333 404 6507 (start your message with "Senedd")📧 hello@seneddsources.com#WelshPolitics #Senedd #PlaidCymru #RhunapIorwerth #ReformUK #WelshGovernment #WalesPolitics #PoliticsPodcast #WelshLabour #Devolution #SeneddSourcesWelcome inside Welsh politics.*****Welcome inside Welsh politics. Senedd Sources hears from those who have lived it in decision-forming and policy-making for Wales to assess politics, today, in Wales and for Wales. Join journalist Ollie Cole, former Welsh Labour adviser Jo Kiernan and former Welsh Conservative candidate and adviser Craig Lawton as they share their experiences, and shape conversation about Welsh politics today.

Plaid Cymru's honeymoon period is over.This week saw the first First Minister's Questions of the new Senedd term, with Reform UK taking on the role of main opposition and putting Rhun ap Iorwerth's government under immediate pressure over NHS waiting times, economic promises and delivery.In this episode of Senedd Sources, Ollie Cole, Jo Kiernan and Craig Lawton break down the first FMQs of the new government, Adam Price's increasingly high-profile economic agenda, and what the early weeks of Plaid Cymru's administration tell us about the challenges ahead.We discuss:Reform UK's first major test as the Senedd's largest opposition groupWhether Plaid Cymru can deliver on its NHS waiting time promisesAdam Price's plan to tackle Wales' productivity problemRenewable energy, investment and the row over pylonsThe battle over nuclear power and infrastructure investmentWhy Senedd committees still haven't been formedAnd what the changing politics of Wales means for devolution and the future of the UnionWith expectations high, scrutiny intensifying and Plaid Cymru now having to turn rhetoric into results, the first real tests of government are beginning.🎧 Subscribe for weekly analysis on Welsh politics, the Senedd and policymaking.📲 Send us your voice notes on WhatsApp: 0333 404 6507 (start your message with "Senedd")📧 hello@seneddsources.com#WelshPolitics #PlaidCymru #Senedd #FMQs #RhunapIorwerth #AdamPrice #ReformUK #WelshGovernment #WalesPolitics #PoliticsPodcast #Devolution #NHSWales*****Welcome inside Welsh politics. Senedd Sources hears from those who have lived it in decision-forming and policy-making for Wales to assess politics, today, in Wales and for Wales. Join journalist Ollie Cole, former Welsh Labour adviser Jo Kiernan and former Welsh Conservative candidate and adviser Craig Lawton as they share their experiences, and shape conversation about Welsh politics today.