Senedd Sources

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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.

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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.

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

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.

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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.

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

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

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 politics

With 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: [email protected]

📍 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

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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.

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

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.

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

Is Wales failing a generation of young people? In this episode of the Senedd Sources Podcast, Ollie Cole is joined by Joe Keen to discuss some of the biggest challenges facing young people across Wales — and what they mean for the country's future.

The conversation explores Wales' education performance, child health, poverty, mental health and the wider political challenges facing the next generation. With concerns around educational attainment, childhood obesity, tooth decay and access to mental health support, what needs to change to give young people in Wales the best possible start in life?

We talk:

🔹 Whether Wales is failing a generation of young people

🔹 The challenges facing Wales' education system and the latest PISA results

🔹 Why Wales continues to lag behind other parts of the UK in education

🔹 Child health, obesity and tooth decay in Wales

🔹 Mental health among children

🔹 Poverty, opportunity and the future prospects of young people

🔹 The political opportunity for change in Wales

With young people facing challenges across education, health and economic opportunity, this episode looks at what is going wrong — and what Wales could do to give the next generation a better future.

For more info on our LIVE Senedd Sources event, visit: https://seneddsources.com/live

✉️ Get in contact for our Q&A episode!

WhatsApp Voice Note: 0333 404 6507 (Start your message with the word Senedd)

Email: [email protected]

📍 Subscribe for weekly breakdowns of Welsh and UK politics from inside the Senedd so you never miss an episode!

#WelshPolitics #Wales #YoungPeople #Senedd #WelshGovernment #WelshEducation

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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.

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

The vibes summer is over — and now Plaid Cymru faces the reality of governing Wales.

In this episode of the Senedd Sources Podcast, we look at what comes next for Rhun ap Iorwerth and Plaid Cymru as the Senedd returns. After a summer of reflection, political negotiations and some very memorable ministerial photo opportunities, the focus is now firmly on delivery.

We discuss:

🔹 Plaid Cymru's first months in government

🔹 How to govern Wales as a minority government — and who Plaid Cymru needs to work with

🔹 NHS waiting lists and the pressure to deliver improvements

🔹 Plaid Cymru's childcare promises

🔹 Andy Burnham and the future of Welsh devolution

🔹 Cardiff's case for capital-city policing funding

🔹 And, of course, Rhun ap Iorwerth making crêpes in a suit…

With the Senedd returning soon, the honeymoon period may be coming to an end. The question now is simple: can Plaid Cymru turn the good vibes into real delivery?

🎙️ Senedd Sources is your podcast taking you inside Welsh politics, with analysis, insight and conversation about the people and decisions shaping Wales.

📍 For more info on our LIVE Senedd Sources event, visit: https://seneddsources.com/live

✉️ Get in contact for our Q&A episode!

WhatsApp Voice Note: 0333 404 6507 (Start your message with the word Senedd)

Email: [email protected]

👍 Like the video, subscribe to Senedd Sources and leave your thoughts in the comments.

#WelshPolitics #Senedd #Wales #PlaidCymru #ReformUK #WelshLabour #WelshGovernment #SeneddCymru #Politics

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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.

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

In this episode of the Senedd Sources podcast, Ollie Cole returns to join former First Minister advisor Jo Kiernan to break down the reality behind the 100-day milestone, the missing political leadership during key moments, and what Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s visit to South Wales means for Welsh politics.

We look past the 96 ticked-off promises to explore whether laying foundations, task forces, and expert groups actually translate into tangible change for people in Wales—from wait times in the NHS to childcare and local transport.

We talk:

🔹 Welcome Back & Reflecting on the New Senedd Members

🔹 Plaid Cymru's 100 Days: Arbitrary Milestone or Real Progress?

🔹 Foundations, Task Forces, and Policy Deliverables

🔹 Where is Rhun ap Iorwerth? The Politics of Summer Recess

🔹 Government Comms vs. Party Political Messaging

🔹 Prime Minister Andy Burnham Visits South Wales & Tate Steel

Plaid Cymru has hit its 100-day milestone leading the Welsh Government, but where is First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth - and what has actually been delivered?

For more info on our LIVE Senedd Sources event, visit: https://seneddsources.com/live

✉️ Get in contact for our Q&A episode!

WhatsApp Voice Note: 0333 404 6507 (Start your message with the word Senedd)

Email: [email protected]

📍 Subscribe for weekly breakdowns of Welsh and UK politics from inside the Senedd so you never miss an episode!

#WelshPolitics #Senedd #Wales #PlaidCymru #ReformUK #WelshLabour #WelshGovernment #SeneddCymru #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 and former Welsh Labour adviser Jo Kiernan they share their experiences, and shape conversation about Welsh politics today.

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

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

What does the future of Welsh politics look like?

In this episode of the Senedd Sources Podcast, Jo Kiernan is joined by three new Members of the Senedd — Elwyn Vaughan (Plaid Cymru), Sarah Cooper-Lesadd (Reform UK) and Huw Thomas (Welsh Labour) — to discuss their first months in the Senedd and their priorities for Wales.

The new Senedd has already seen plenty of political debate, and the three guests reflect on what they've learned since being elected, the challenges of becoming a new MS and what they want to achieve during the new parliamentary term.

We talk:

🔹 The future of Welsh politics and the changing Senedd

🔹 Reform UK, Plaid Cymru and Welsh Labour perspectives on Wales

🔹 Sarah Cooper-Lessad's personal journey from being in care and adoption to becoming an MS

🔹 The challenges facing Wales' economy and youth unemployment

🔹 Plaid Cymru's plans for a new economic development agency

🔹 Goals for Wales by 2030

With a new political landscape taking shape in Wales, this episode offers an insight into the priorities, ambitions and challenges facing the new Senedd.

For more info on our LIVE Senedd Sources event, visit: https://seneddsources.com/live

✉️ Get in contact for our Q&A episode!

WhatsApp Voice Note: 0333 404 6507 (Start your message with the word Senedd)

Email: [email protected]

📍 Subscribe for weekly breakdowns of Welsh and UK politics from inside the Senedd so you never miss an episode!

#WelshPolitics #Senedd #Wales #PlaidCymru #ReformUK #WelshLabour #WelshGovernment #SeneddCymru #Politics

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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.

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