Plaid Cymru is in power. Labour is out for the first time in the history of devolution. And Reform UK is now the official opposition in a dramatically reshaped Senedd.

In this episode of Senedd Sources, Jo Kiernan and Craig Lawton break down the election aftermath, Rhun ap Iorwerth’s first moves as First Minister, and what Plaid’s new cabinet tells us about the direction of the Welsh Government.

From major cabinet appointments to committee battles and minority government maths, this is the inside story of how Wales’ new political era is beginning.

With Plaid Cymru now governing without a majority, how difficult will it be to hold together a new administration while negotiating vote-by-vote in a larger Senedd? And what role will Reform UK play as a powerful new opposition force?

Plus:

- Why Labour faces a huge rebuilding challenge

- The balancing act over farming, energy and net zero

- How committee chairs and Senate numbers could shape Welsh politics for years

📥 Have your say! What’s the first thing the new Welsh Government should do?

WhatsApp us: 0333 404 6507 (Start with 'Senedd')

Email: [email protected]

*****

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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The face of Welsh politics has been utterly transformed. In this emergency weekend edition of Senedd Sources, Ollie Cole and Jo Kiernan dissect a brutal election day that saw Labour’s Eluned Morgan become the first head of a British government to lose her seat in modern history.

With Plaid Cymru (43 seats) and Reform UK (34 seats) dominating the new 96-seat Senedd, we look at the "two-horse race" narrative that squeezed the traditional parties and what a Plaid Cymru minority government means for the future of Wales.

Topics covered:

• The collapse of the Labour vote and Eluned Morgan’s resignation.
• Why Reform UK outperformed expectations (but missed their majority).
• The "Squeeze": How the new voting system backfired on its creators.
• Is Keir Starmer to blame? The view from Westminster vs. Cardiff Bay.
• The Liberal Democrat and Green struggle for relevance.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is the 100-year reign of Welsh Labour about to end? 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 As the polls open, Ollie Cole and Jo Kiernan dive into the final "vibes" of the campaign and the chaos of the new voting system.

It’s Election Day in Wales, and the stakes couldn't be higher. In this episode of Senedd Sources, we break down the final polling, the exhaustion of the campaign trail, and the very real possibility that First Minister Eluned Morgan could lose her seat.

The "Slugfest": Why this election has become a head-to-head between Plaid Cymru and Reform UK.

The New System: How the 16 "super-constituencies" and proportional representation are baffling both voters and parties.

The Keir Starmer Factor: Is the UK Prime Minister a help or a hindrance on the Welsh doorstep?

Governing the Morning After: The "painful" reality of forming a minority government and why most manifestos are currently "unaffordable."

📥 Have your say! What’s the first thing the new Welsh Government should do?

WhatsApp us: 0333 404 6507 (Start with 'Senedd')

Email: [email protected]

*****

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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With just one week to go until polling day, the race for Wales is entering its final stage — and the battle over energy and the cost of living is front and centre.

In this special live episode of Senedd Sources, recorded in front of an audience at the Electric Brewery Field in Bridgend, Jo Kiernan and Craig Lawton are joined by representatives from Welsh Labour, Reform UK and Plaid Cymru to debate one of the biggest issues facing voters: energy bills.

As households and businesses across Wales continue to feel the pressure, the question is simple — who has the plan to bring costs down?

They discuss:

- How each party would tackle rising energy bills

- The push for energy independence in Wales

- Onshore vs offshore wind — and the political divide

- Nuclear, tidal and the future energy mix

- Planning delays and why projects take so long

- Whether communities are being brought along — or left behind

- And how all of this could shape the final week of the campaign!

With polling tight and momentum shifting, this live debate captures the key arguments defining the 2026 Senedd election.

🎧 Subscribe for weekly analysis on Welsh politics, the Senedd and the decisions shaping Wales.

📲 Send us your thoughts or questions: [email protected]

*****

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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tomorrow, Tuesday 28th April, we’re bringing the Senedd Sources podcast to Bridgend for a live special ahead of next week’s Senedd election - and you are very welcome to come and join us, to hear the discussion and to ask your questions of the politicians who will be with us.

Tickets are completely FREE but we do need you to register so we know you’re coming along… head to seneddsources.com/live

Join us live to discuss and debate the energy future of Wales, the economy and the election. Ask your questions of politicians and take part in our live podcast, sponsored by Electrify Britain.

We’ll be joined by: 

Huw Irranca-Davies, Labour, Deputy First Minister of Wales

Jason O’Connell, Reform UK

Luke Fletcher, Plaid Cymru.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With just weeks to go until election day, Welsh politics is now firmly in high-pressure mode.

From tense TV debates to costed (and uncosted) manifesto battles, party leaders are being pushed harder than ever on whether their promises stack up in reality. And in a car crash channel Four interview, Jane Dodds and the Liberal Democrats found themselves directly in the line of fire.

In this episode of Senedd Sources Ollie Cole, Jo Kiernan and Craig Lawton, break down a week where political messaging met real-world scrutiny.

- Jane Dodds’ interviews focus on the Lib Dems’ funding issue

- Why TV debates are becoming decisive campaign moments

- Eluned Morgan under pressure as Labour defends its record

- Reform’s Dan Thomas - can he transform disruption to credibility?

- The Greens’ strategy for post-election influence

- And are Plaid Cymru’s signalling on potential coalition negotiations?

Plus, Correspondence Corner returns as we examine the latest campaign leaflets landing on doorsteps across Wales - and what they reveal about how parties are really trying to win votes.

📩 Get in touch: [email protected]

📞 Call us: 029 1234 5678

*****

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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Greens are rebranding. TV debates are heating up. And the Independence question looms large over Welsh politics.

With four weeks to go until election day, journalist Ollie Cole, Jo Kiernan and Craig Lawton to unpack the Greens’ push for a professional image, political media training, and the looming issue of Welsh independence in the upcoming elections.

They explore:

- How the Greens are reshaping their public persona

- Why independence remains a pivotal issue in Welsh politics

- How politicians respond when the public presses them on policy

- Anthony Slaughter’s latest policy adjustments

- And Plaid Cymru’s upcoming launch

Plus, a return to Correspondence Corner to break down some of the latest messaging and leaflets from candidates across Wales.

📩 Get in touch: [email protected]

📞 Call us: 029 1234 5678

*****

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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reform UK’s slate is collapsing, with multiple candidates dropping out just days before nominations close. Plaid Cymru is pitching the election as a ‘Two-Horse Race’. Labour has launched its manifesto — and a Strava social media campaign. And are the Greens really the ‘Kingmakers’?

In this episode of Senedd Sources, Ollie Cole, Jo Kiernan, and Craig Lawton break down the latest developments shaping the 2026 Welsh election:

Which candidates have already pulled out, and why Reform UK’s shrinking lists could reshape the contest

- Plaid Cymru’s careful strategy versus Labour’s manifesto and local campaign efforts

- How leaflets, manifestos, and grassroots campaigning could influence key constituencies

- Why the Greens are claiming to be 'kingmakers'

- Who's left on the Reform UK roster?

With Reform struggling to maintain candidates, traditional parties under pressure, and smaller parties poised to make gains, this election could be one of the most unpredictable in recent Welsh history.

*****

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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reform is surging. The Conservatives are collapsing. And Wales is heading into an election with a totally new voting system.

In this episode of Senedd Sources, Ollie Cole, Jo Kiernan and Craig Lawton break down the latest polling, what it means for each party, and why this could be the most unpredictable Welsh election yet.

With Reform UK on the rise — led nationally by Nigel Farage — and traditional parties under pressure, the political map of Wales could be about to change dramatically. But is this surge sustainable, and where do Reform go next?

Plus, Jessica Blair from Electoral Reform Society joins explains the brand new Senedd voting system, including:

- What’s changed since the last election

- How the new system works

- Why small vote shifts could decide dozens of seats

Plus:

- Why the Conservatives could face near wipeout

- Whether Labour can recover

- How Plaid Cymru and the Greens could benefit

- The big unknowns that could decide the result

*****

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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.