Senedd Sources

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

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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, 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.

Wales are on track to make lying on the campaign trail illegal for politicians. But how would that actually work — and who decides what counts as a “lie”?

As the Senedd elections rapidly approach, the campaign is ramping up - and policy leaflets are coming in thick and fast. Party are sharpening their messages and targeting their rivals - but how much of it cuts through?

In this episode, we break down:

- The proposed law on election lies and the big questions around enforcement

- The rise of Reform and why other parties are focusing their attacks

- What campaign leaflets reveal about party strategy

- Whether voters understand Wales’ new voting system — and who benefits if they don’t

- The planned ban on greyhound racing, and why it could face legal challenges

- And whether hustings even matter in modern elections

📩 A big fan of hustings? Got a leaflet through your door? Tell us what you think

📱 WhatsApp: 0333 404 6507

📧 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.

What does Keir Starmer really think about devolution?  Are the Lib Dems struggling to cut through?  And could the Greens end up holding power in Wales after the next election?

This week on Senedd Sources, Ollie Cole, Craig Lawton and Jo Kiernan break down the political stories shaping Wales — from a leaked Westminster memo to campaign launches and shifting Senedd election momentum.

Plus: Welsh Green Party leader Anthony Slaughter joins the podcast to discuss rising poll numbers, coalition talks, and what the Greens would demand in government.

Sharp analysis. Insider perspectives. Welsh politics explained.

🚨 Leaked memo controversy: Did Westminster just expose its real attitude toward Welsh devolution?

⏳ Election pressure rising: With the Senedd vote approaching fast, which parties actually have momentum?

🟡 Lib Dem reality check: Conference headlines, campaign strategy — and questions about relevance.

🟢 Greens on the rise: Anthony Slaughter on polling breakthroughs and whether the Greens could decide the next Welsh government.

📩 Join the conversation

WhatsApp: 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.

Welsh politics is heating up!

As the Conservatives and Reform unveil their nearly identical manifestos, Ollie Cole, Jo Kiernan and Craig Lawton break down what this actually means for voters ahead of the May election, and dissect what’s actually realistic—and what’s more fantasy than fact.

In this episode:

• Reform UK & Tory manifestos – bold promises on hospitals, tax cuts, and civil service cuts… but can they actually deliver?
• The big rush for the Conservative launch
• Welsh Labour promises £4 billion for new hospitals in a fight for voters’ trust.
• And what’s really going on with the spy arrests in Wales?

🎧 Subscribe for weekly analysis on Welsh politics, the Senedd, and policymaking.

📲 Send us your voice notes on WhatsApp: 0333 404 6507 (start with “Senedd”)

📧 [email protected]

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

The clock is ticking in the Senedd. In this week’s episode Ollie Cole, Jo Kiernan, and Craig Lawton dive into what made Labour go early with their election campaign - and whether they think the Assisted Dying bill is all 'deep thinking and angst'.

- Key takeaways from Plaid Cymru’s conference and their first 100 days priorities.

- Labour’s early election campaign launch and strategic moves ahead of polling day.

- How Reform UK’s rise is shaking up Welsh politics and the 2026 landscape.

- The ongoing assisted dying debate in the Senedd and its implications for Wales’ NHS.

- Insights into party strategies, leadership challenges, and policy scrutiny as Wales heads toward an intense election season.

📌 Join the conversation: send voice notes, questions, or comments via WhatsApp at 0333 404 6507 or email [email protected]

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With just 11 weeks until the Senedd election, the campaign battle lines are becoming clearer.

Keir Starmer visits Wales to stand alongside First Minister Eluned Morgan and announce a £14bn rail investment — but how much of it is new, and does it help Welsh Labour as the election looms? We discuss the optics of unity after internal Labour tensions and whether UK-level politics is weighing on devolved campaigns.

Meanwhile, Plaid Cymru proposes mandatory 15–25% community ownership in large renewable energy projects, reigniting the debate over pylons, underground cables, investor confidence and who really pays on energy bills.

We also examine a quiet Welsh Conservative conference, defections to Reform UK, and the shifting coalition maths that could shape the next Senedd. As May approaches, we ask: who has momentum — and who’s facing real pressure?

📌 Senedd Sources takes you inside Welsh politics — from Cardiff Bay to Westminster. Subscribe for weekly analysis, interviews, and behind-the-scenes insight.

👉 Have a question or comment? Text us on 0333 404 6507 (start with "Senedd") or email [email protected]

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Labour faces one of its most turbulent weeks in years — and the fallout is being felt in Wales.

In this episode of Senedd Sources, we break down the political storm engulfing Keir Starmer after controversy over a senior appointment, the resignation of key Downing Street figures, and mounting pressure from within Labour ranks — including intervention from Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar.

So where does this leave Welsh Labour and First Minister Eluned Morgan ahead of the crucial 2026 Senedd election?

Joining Ollie Cole, Jo Kiernan and Craig Lawton is Alex Barros-Curtis MP (Labour, Cardiff West) to discuss:

• Whether Starmer’s leadership is under real threat
• How Westminster drama impacts Welsh politics
• Labour’s slipping poll numbers in Wales
• The rise of Reform UK and Plaid Cymru
• The growing tension between MPs and MSs
• Why “Don’t Know” voters could decide the next Senedd election

With conference season beginning and the Welsh political landscape shifting, this is essential listening for anyone following UK politics, Welsh Labour, or the future of devolution.

🎧 Subscribe for weekly analysis on Welsh politics, the Senedd, and policymaking.

📲 Send us your voice notes on WhatsApp: 0333 404 6507 (start with “Senedd”)

📧 [email protected]

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