Many care deeply about Wales’ direction but often need open, friendly spaces before they feel confident contributing to the conversation. This episode digs into what real public engagement looks like, and why it matters now more than ever.

We speak with Dr Anwen Elias about her work on the Independent Commission for the Constitutional Future of Wales. We explore the Commission’s findings on independence, federalism, and the future of the UK, and what they reveal about how people in Wales want their nation to evolve.

Anwen Elias is a prominent political scientist specialising in territorial and constitutional politics, nationalism, and democratic innovation. She serves as a Reader in Politics at the Department of International Politics at Aberystwyth University, where she has been a faculty member since 2005.

For more information, head to: new.wales

Instagram: @new_wales

Bluesky: @newwales.bsky.social

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This is an edited version of Blueprint Cymru podcast episode 9, recorded on 29 May 2025.

Producer and Editor: Dylan Yeomans

Assistance producers: Gwern Gwynfil, David Hannington-Smith

Graphic designer: Nigel Cousins

Head of content: Gwern Gwynfil

Exec. Producer: Simon Hobson

Music licenced from Envato (licence number/code: 8EY3ZKRNG5).

Cymru Newydd Cyf. (New Wales Ltd.)‬