Senedd Sources

Is Wales getting a fair deal from Westminster? From rail investment and the UK Budget to the challenges facing Plaid Cymru’s new Welsh Government, this episode of the Senedd Sources Podcast explores the big questions shaping Welsh politics. Ollie Cole and Joe Kiernan are joined by Professor Laura McAllister to discuss what the latest UK Budget means for Wales, why rail infrastructure funding remains a major political battleground, and whether the relationship between Westminster and Cardiff Bay is delivering for Welsh communities. We also examine Plaid Cymru’s first six months in government, the pressure to deliver on its promises, and the challenges facing Welsh Labour as it tries to rebuild after its election defeat. We talk: 🔹 Is Wales getting a fair deal? — what the UK Budget means for Welsh public finances and the Welsh Government. 🔹 The Welsh rail funding gap — why rail investment in Wales remains a contentious issue and the case for devolving rail infrastructure. 🔹 Westminster vs Cardiff Bay — can the UK and Welsh governments agree on funding, borrowing powers and greater flexibility for Wales? 🔹 Plaid Cymru’s first six months in government — has the new administration been bold enough, and how long will its political honeymoon last? 🔹 Welsh Labour’s future — what went wrong at the election, and can the party find its way back? 🔹 Could Wales face a budget deadlock? — what happens if the Welsh Government cannot secure enough support to pass its budget? 🔹 The future of the Lib Dems and Greens in Wales — can smaller parties establish a clearer political identity? 🔹 Welsh rugby and football governance — why sporting institutions need to modernise and become more accountable. With Professor Laura McAllister, we look at the decisions facing Wales’s political parties, the future of devolution and whether Welsh voters will see the change they were promised. 📱 WhatsApp: 0333 404 6507 — start your message with SENEDD. 📧 Email: hello@seneddsources.com Subscribe to Senedd Sources for weekly conversations, analysis and debate on Welsh politics, the Senedd, the Welsh Government and the issues affecting Wales.#WelshPolitics #Wales #Senedd #WelshGovernment #LauraMcAllister #WelshRailways #RailFunding #Devolution #PlaidCymru #WelshLabour #UKBudget #SeneddSources ***** 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 they share their experiences, and shape conversation about Welsh politics today.

Mark Drakeford has delivered a sharp assessment of Plaid Cymru’s first six months in government. But is the new Welsh Government losing its way? In this episode of the Senedd Sources Podcast, former First Minister Mark Drakeford joins Calum Macdonald and Jo to discuss Plaid Cymru’s record so far, the controversy over council tax reform, the future of the M4 relief road and the challenges facing Welsh Labour after its election defeat. Drakeford raises concerns about the government’s decision to abandon council tax revaluation, its environmental commitments and whether Plaid Cymru can deliver the progressive change it promised. He also reflects on Labour’s role in opposition, the prospect of a closer Labour–Plaid relationship and the political lessons both parties need to learn. We talk: 🔹 Mark Drakeford’s verdict on Plaid Cymru — how generous should we be towards a new government? 🔹 The council tax row — why has the Welsh Government abandoned revaluation, and what does it mean for tackling poverty? 🔹 Plaid Cymru’s first six months in power — early decisions, political misjudgements and the challenge of governing in a minority 🔹 The M4 relief road — is Wales changing direction on transport and climate policy? 🔹 Welsh rivers and the environment — concerns over slurry spreading, clean rivers and the proposed new national park 🔹 Welsh Labour’s future — can the party rebuild after its election defeat? 🔹 Labour and Plaid Cymru — could a more formal political agreement take shape? 🔹 Brexit and the EU — could a closer relationship with Europe benefit Wales? 🔹 Andy Burnham’s leadership — Drakeford’s assessment of the UK political landscape With the next Welsh local elections approaching and crucial budget decisions ahead, we examine the challenges facing Plaid Cymru, Welsh Labour and the future of Welsh devolution. 📱 WhatsApp: 0333 404 6507 (Start your message with the word Senedd) ✉️ Email: Hello@seneddsources.com 📍 Subscribe for weekly breakdowns of Welsh and UK politics from inside the Senedd so you never miss an episode! #MarkDrakeford #PlaidCymru #WelshPolitics #Senedd #WelshLabour #WalesNews #SeneddSources #CouncilTax #M4ReliefRoad #WelshGovernment #WelshPoliticsPodcast #Brexit ***** 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 they share their experiences, and shape conversation about Welsh politics today.

This week on the Senedd Sources podcast, Ollie Cole and Jo Kiernan return from party conferences to discuss: Welsh budget negotiations and supplementary budgetInfrastructure projects including M4 and Menai CrossingShelving of the proposed new national park in WalesPolitical strategies of Plaid Cymru and LabourImplications of budget deals on public services and projects.***** 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 they share their experiences, and shape conversation about Welsh politics today.

Is Plaid Cymru’s voter coalition on shaky ground when it comes to Welsh independence? In this episode of Senedd Sources, host Ollie Cole and former First Minister advisor Jo Kiernan are joined by Louis O’Geran from polling firm More In Common to break down exclusive new polling data on Welsh politics post-conference season. We analyse: 🗳️ Plaid Cymru’s Honeymoon Phase: Why key policies like £1 bus fares and NHS surgical hubs aren't cutting through with voters. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 The Independence Divide: Exclusive polling reveals Plaid Cymru voters are split 47% to 44% on Welsh independence. 🌹 The "Burnham Bounce": How Westminster Prime Minister Andy Burnham is winning back Labour defectors in Wales. 🏛️ Budget Battles in Cardiff Bay: Can Plaid secure a budget deal with Labour or the Conservatives? 🟢 Green Party Civil War: The fallout from the England & Wales Green Party conference over foreign policy and nuclear energy. 💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Have your say on WhatsApp! Send your comments/questions to 0333 404 6507 (start your message with Senedd) or email us at hello@seneddsources.com.

On this special episode of the Sources Podcasts, we're taking you to Liverpool for 24 hours at Labour Party Conference 2026. Hear the secrets of Political Christmas with Politico's Megan McElroy, More In Common's Louis O'Geran, Labour MP Jonathan Hinder, Defence Secretary Wes Streeting, former Andy Burnham advisor Kevin McKeever and more.Presented by Joe Hawkins.*************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 they share their experiences, and shape conversation about Welsh politics today.

In this episode of the Senedd Sources podcast, Ollie and Jo analyse the latest Welsh political conferences, budget negotiations, and the challenges facing Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru as they navigate their new roles and upcoming elections. ***** 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 they share their experiences, and shape conversation about Welsh politics today.

Senedd Sources has obtained a letter sent to local authorities across Wales detailing that the Government's Flying Start care programme is being renamed and rebranded.

What Next for Reform in Wales?Is Reform UK in crisis in Wales? In this episode of the Senedd Sources Podcast, we look at the latest upheaval inside Reform UK Wales — including a change of leadership, a defection to Plaid Cymru and questions over the party’s future direction.With Helen Jenner taking over as Reform UK Wales leader and Laura Anne Jones becoming deputy leader, we discuss what the changes mean for the party at the Senedd and its relationship with Reform UK’s Westminster leadership.We talk:🔹 Dan Thomas standing down as Reform UK Wales leader🔹 Helen Jenner taking over as leader🔹 Laura Anne Jones becoming deputy leader🔹 Sarah Cooper-Lessad leaving Reform UK for Plaid Cymru🔹 Reform’s changing position on the Senedd and devolution🔹 Plaid Cymru’s Programme for Government🔹 NHS waiting lists and the May 2027 target🔹 The future of Flying Start and tackling child poverty🔹 The Liberal Democrats’ role in Welsh politicsWith Reform UK continuing to reshape its Welsh operation, we ask what comes next for the party in Wales — and whether the changes mark a wider shift in its political direction.✉️ Get in contact!WhatsApp, Text or Voice Note: 0333 404 6507 (Start your message with the word Senedd)Email: Hello@seneddsources.com 📍 Subscribe for weekly breakdowns of Welsh and UK politics from inside the Senedd so you never miss an episode! #WelshPolitics #ReformUK #ReformUKWales #Wales #Senedd #WelshPoliticsPodcast #SeneddSources #WelshGovernment #PlaidCymru #NigelFarage #HelenJenner #WelshNews #WalesPolitics #UKPolitics #PoliticalPodcast ***** 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 they share their experiences, and shape conversation about Welsh politics today.

Senedd Sources LIVE from the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff! 🎙️Hosts Ollie Cole and Jo Kieran are joined live on stage by Dafydd Trystan Davies (Plaid Cymru), Ken Skates (Welsh Labour), and Llyr Powell (Reform UK)—plus a surprise appearance from newly defected Senedd member Sarah Cooper-Lesadd. In one of the most explosive days in modern Welsh political history, Reform UK's Welsh leader Dan Thomas resigns following his arrest and release without charge, while Sarah Cooper-Lesadd stuns the chamber by defecting from Reform UK to Plaid Cymru.Listen as our panel reacts live to the breaking news, debates the latest ITV Wales opinion polls, clashes over the Welsh Government budget, and unpacks the future of devolution and independence.