Justna Muhith is a mother of two, raised in Newport and Cardiff. From working in Woolworths, she now has a doctorate, a law degree, an MBA, has served as a magistrate and is a school governor.

She says, “I want to modernise democracy - rebuild trust by making government truly accountable to the people it serves.”

Justna is the lead candidate for the Open Party in the Senedd constituency of Casnewydd Islwyn, Cymru/Wales.

The elections take place on 7th May 2026. If you are 16 years-of-age or older you are entitled to vote in Senedd elections.

Open Party supports experienced members of the public to step forward and represent you. Independent and free of any party agenda, they can genuinely listen and represent your wishes.

Simon Hobson is a co-founder of New Wales and an active member of the Welsh diaspora from his home in Québec.

Watch the episode on the @Cymru Newydd YouTube channel.

For more information, head to: new.wales

Instagram: @new_wales

Bluesky: @newwales.bsky.social

LinkedIn: @https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-wales

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Episode 39 of Blueprint Cymru: Senedd 2026.

Recorded on 7 April 2026.

Producer and Editor: Simon Hobson

Assistance producers: Gwern Gwynfil, David Hannington-Smith

Graphic designer: Nigel Cousins

Head of content: Gwern Gwynfil

Executive Producer: Simon Hobson

Music licenced from Envato

Cymru Newydd Cyf. (New Wales Ltd.)‬

Dan Rowbotham is originally from Ceredigion and has been a Welsh language tutor since 2018. He now serves as Director of the Madog Centre for Welsh Studies at the University of Rio Grande / Rio Grande Community College in Ohio: North America’s only dedicated centre for Welsh studies. During his time as a Davis Intern at the Centre, while completing his Masters in education, Dan began his teaching career and has since expanded the Centres’ educational and cultural offerings.

Through the Madog Centre, Dan teaches multiple Welsh language classes both online and in person, and he organizes a wide range of programmes that promote Welsh language and culture across the continent of North America. He leads a weekly online Welsh conversation hour that welcomes both new learners and fluent speakers seeking opportunities to use Welsh in North America. Dan has also been a part of the team that organizes the North American Festival of Wales (NAFOW) since 2023.

Before returning to Ohio, Dan oversaw extra-curricular Welsh language programming at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) and served as Coordinator of the university’s Community Welsh Learning Centre, Yr Atom. He is a former President of the Urdd and was awarded the prestigious Merêd Memorial Award at the National Eisteddfod in 2016.

Simon Hobson is a co-founder of New Wales and an active member of the Welsh diaspora from his home in Québec.

Full episode on the @Cymru Newydd YouTube channel.

For more information, head to: new.wales

Instagram: @new_wales

Bluesky: @newwales.bsky.social

LinkedIn: @https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-wales

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Episode 38 of Blueprint Cymru.

Recorded on 17 March 2026.

Producer and Editor: Simon Hobson

Assistance producers: Gwern Gwynfil, David Hannington-Smith

Graphic designer: Nigel Cousins

Head of content: Gwern Gwynfil

Executive Producer: Simon Hobson

Music licenced from Envato

Cymru Newydd Cyf. (New Wales Ltd.)‬

Mair Rowlands was born and raised in Cardiff before moving to north Wales to study at Bangor University. She lives in Bangor with her partner and young child. Mair is number two on the closed list for Plaid Cymru in the constituency of Bangor Conwy Môn, behind her party’s leader Rhun ap Iorwerth.

In this episode of Blueprint Cymru, Mair discusses her passion for the Welsh language, community and door knocking. She speaks of her parents with fondness and talks about her journey from interested student to deputy leader of Cyngor Gwynedd Council to Plaid Cymru candidate for the 7 May 2026 Senedd election.

Simon Hobson is a co-founder of New Wales and an active member of the Welsh diaspora from his home in Québec.

Full episode on the @Cymru Newydd YouTube channel.

For more information, head to: new.wales

Instagram: @new_wales

Bluesky: @newwales.bsky.social

LinkedIn: @https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-wales

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Episode 37 of Blueprint Cymru: Senedd 2026.

Recorded on 24 March 2026.

Producer and Editor: Simon Hobson

Assistance producers: Gwern Gwynfil, David Hannington-Smith

Graphic designer: Nigel Cousins

Head of content: Gwern Gwynfil

Executive Producer: Simon Hobson

Music licenced from Envato

Cymru Newydd Cyf. (New Wales Ltd.)‬

Tom Giffard is a Welsh Conservative politician who has served as Member of the Senedd (MS) for the region of South Wales West since 2021. He is number one on the Welsh Conservatives list for the new constituency of Gŵyr Abertawe, hoping to be returned to the Senedd at the 7th May 2026 elections.

In this episode, Tom speaks about growing up in Swansea/Abertawe, his passion for education and the Welsh language, not moving to New York, shouting about Hollywood stars from Wales. falling into the world of politics and his desire to see a thriving economy in Wales built on strong educational foundations.

Simon Hobson is a co-founder of New Wales and an active member of the Welsh diaspora from his home in Québec.

Full episode on the @Cymru Newydd YouTube channel.

For more information, head to: new.wales

Instagram: @new_wales

Bluesky: @newwales.bsky.social

LinkedIn: @https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-wales

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Episode 36 of Blueprint Cymru: Senedd 2026.

Recorded on 16 March 2026.

Producer and Editor: Simon Hobson

Assistance producers: Gwern Gwynfil, David Hannington-Smith

Graphic designer: Nigel Cousins

Head of content: Gwern Gwynfil

Executive Producer: Simon Hobson

Music licenced from Envato

Cymru Newydd Cyf. (New Wales Ltd.)‬

Keira Marshall is Plaid Cymru’s rising star targeting the Senedd 2026 election, arguing Welsh politics must move beyond empty rhetoric and economic stagnation.

After a record-breaking result in Cardiff in 2024 for the Westminster seat, she is campaigning to reform a dysfunctional Senedd and champion policies like community-owned energy, seeing the opportunity in AI for productivity, and a Welsh sovereign wealth fund.

Keira is second on the list for Plaid Cymru in the constituency of Caerdydd Penarth.

Simon Hobson is a co-founder of New Wales and an active member of the Welsh diaspora, he recorded this conversation with Keira back in April 2025.

Full episode on the @Cymru Newydd YouTube channel.

For more information, head to: new.wales

Instagram: @new_wales

Bluesky: @newwales.bsky.social

LinkedIn: @https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-wales

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Episode 35 of Blueprint Cymru: Senedd 2026.

Recorded on 15 April 2025 (ep. 2 of series 1)

Producer and Editor: Simon Hobson

Assistance producers: Gwern Gwynfil, David Hannington-Smith

Graphic designer: Nigel Cousins

Head of content: Gwern Gwynfil

Executive Producer: Simon Hobson

Music licenced from Envato

Cymru Newydd Cyf. (New Wales Ltd.)‬

Professor Dylan Jones-Evans OBE a leading voice on entrepreneurship, reflects on the history of his involvement in advancing the business landscape within Cymru. The downfall of the Welsh Development Agency (WDA) and gives his insight into how the UK devolution agreement with Cardiff is skewed against Wales' entrepreneurs.

Simon Hobson is a co-founder of New Wales and an active member of the Welsh diaspora.

Full episode on the @Cymru Newydd YouTube channel.

For more information, head to: new.wales

Instagram: @new_wales

Bluesky: @newwales.bsky.social

LinkedIn: @https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-wales

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Episode 34 of Blueprint Cymru. Recorded on 27 February 2026

Producer and Editor: Simon Hobson

Assistance producer: Gwern Gwynfil

Graphic designer: Nigel Cousins

Executive Producer: Simon Hobson

Music licenced from Envato

Cymru Newydd Cyf. (New Wales Ltd.)‬

Amy Nicholass says that, "Living in rural Wales is really special, with so much nature and strong communities doing great things to support each other. But Welsh Government could be doing so much more to support small businesses, farmers and families to thrive where they want to live. Poor rural public transport is an absolute bugbear of mine that I want to sort out".

Amy is first on the list for Wales Green Party in the constituency of Ceredigion Penfro. She hopes to be elected to the Senedd at the elections taking place on 7th May 2026. In this conversation we explore the pull of wildlife in Cymru, poor public transport, sustainable food, Green politics and more.

Simon Hobson is a co-founder of New Wales and an active member of the Welsh diaspora.

Full episode on the @Cymru Newydd YouTube channel.

For more information, head to: new.wales

Instagram: @new_wales

Bluesky: @newwales.bsky.social

LinkedIn: @https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-wales

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Episode 33 of Blueprint Cymru: Senedd 2026.

Recorded on 24 February 2026.

Producer and Editor: Simon Hobson

Assistance producers: Gwern Gwynfil, David Hannington-Smith

Graphic designer: Nigel Cousins

Head of content: Gwern Gwynfil

Executive Producer: Simon Hobson

Music licenced from Envato

Cymru Newydd Cyf. (New Wales Ltd.)‬

Dr. Gareth Evans is a Lecturer in Law at Swansea University/Prifysgol Abertawe. He joins Blueprint Cymru to dig into law, power and where the real limit of Welsh self-government lie. We also discuss the history of Welsh Liberal MPs in the C18th and C19th and, the legal direction the Senedd may take after the 7th May 2026 Senedd election.

Simon Hobson is a co-founder of New Wales and an active member of the Welsh diaspora.

Full episode on the @Cymru Newydd YouTube channel.

For more information, head to: new.wales

Instagram: @new_wales

Bluesky: @newwales.bsky.social

LinkedIn: @https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-wales

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Episode 32 of Blueprint Cymru. Recorded on 12 February 2026

Producer and Editor: Simon Hobson

Assistance producers: Gwern Gwynfil, David Hannington-Smith

Graphic designer: Nigel Cousins

Head of content: Gwern Gwynfil

Executive Producer: Simon Hobson

Music licenced from Envato

Cymru Newydd Cyf. (New Wales Ltd.)‬

Simon Hobson looks at the opportunities ahead for Wales in the 2026, and talks about how this begins with the May 7th Senedd election.

For more information, head to: new.wales

Instagram: @new_wales

Bluesky: @newwales.bsky.social

LinkedIn: @https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-wales

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Episode 1 of Blueprint Cymru - series 2. Recorded on 29 January 2026

Producer and Editor: Simon Hobson

Assistance producers: Gwern Gwynfil, David Hannington-Smith

Graphic designer: Nigel Cousins

Head of content: Gwern Gwynfil

Executive Producer: Simon Hobson

Music licenced from Envato

Cymru Newydd Cyf. (New Wales Ltd.)‬

Sam Parry is a lecturer and researcher at Cardiff Metropolitan University, recently completing a PhD on the interplay of longue durée history, political economy, world-systems analysis, and nationalism. His work explores why regions like Wales face economic challenges within larger states, and how geography, history, and institutions shape outcomes over time.

For more information, head to: new.wales

Instagram: @new_wales

Bluesky: @newwales.bsky.social

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This is an edited version of episode 14 of Blueprint Cymru, recorded on 11 August 2025

Producer and Editor: Dylan Yeomans

Assistance producers: Gwern Gwynfil, David Hannington-Smith

Graphic designer: Nigel Cousins

Head of content: Gwern Gwynfil

Executive Producer: Simon Hobson

Music licenced from Envato

Cymru Newydd Cyf. (New Wales Ltd.)‬