Blueprint Cymru

Sebastian Eduardo Pèrez Parry discusses the history, legacy and future of the Welsh in South America and, of course, Y Wladfa in Patagonia — Sebastian’s homeland. Bruce Chatwin wrote beautifully about Y Wladfa in his travelog, 'In Patagonia'. Beyond Chatwin’s wonderfully eccentric search for the origins of a mysterious object believed to be dinosaur skin, his writing captured something far deeper:...

This is a new series in which, Gwern Gwynfil and Simon Hobson dive into the first First Minister’s Questions of the new Senedd term — and what it reveals about the personalities, performances and political theatre now shaping Welsh politics. From the increasingly existential predicament facing the Welsh Liberal Democrats to speculation that some Green Party MSs appear better suited to a Will Ferre...

In this episode of Blueprint Cymru, Simon Hobson argues that the new Welsh Government, led by Rhun ap Iorwerth 's Plaid Cymru , must assert itself from the outset if it is to secure — or at least lay the foundations for — devolved power parity with Scotland by the end of this Senedd term in April 2030. Simon highlights the need for the government to create a clear national narrative so the world b...

Philip Owen is the Gwlad candidate in the constituency of Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd . Formerly a lifelong Liberal, having stood as a Westminster candidate for the Liberal Alliance in 1983, Philip says, 'Wales has had socialist rule for 100 years. Red-Green parties promise more socialism. Statist Reform UK even plans to return to the industrial policies of Tony Benn. Wales is a net exporter of goods. O...

Brendan Roberts , a dedicated community councillor in Torfaen, has worked in the civil service, local government and the third sector. His career and activism give him a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing Welsh communities. At the Welsh Government’s 2022 'Radical reform summit', he drew on his personal experience in the child social care system to help shape a declaratio...

Elspeth Jones is a former London barrister turned leadership coach and adviser. In 2025 she worked with the National Infrastructure Commission for Wales as their Nature Guardian in an innovate pilot - acting as a voice for Nature within the Commission’s governance structure. With over 20 years’ experience in the legal world –including as an environmental activist and leader at the global environme...

A manifesto to fire-up your little grey cells. The New Wales manifesto published in the run up to the 2026 Senedd election was written to provoke. You can read it here: Gwern Gwynfil and Simon Hobson discuss the New Wales manifesto's sexy "six Es", and explore the possibility that the next Senedd will be dominated by parties with a long-term commitment to self-determination for Cymru/Wales. The Ne...

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 Casnewy...

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...

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 d...

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 Wel...

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 so...

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...

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...

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 memb...

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 ‬ Episode 1 of Blueprint Cymru - series 2. Recorded on 29 January 2026 Producer and Editor: Simon Hobson Assistance...

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.wa...

Nadolig Llawen from New Wales. We look forward to continuing, in 2026 and beyond, the conversation of how we work to build a future for Cymru. Happy Christmas! For more information, head to: new.wales Instagram: @new_wales Bluesky: @ newwales.bsky.social ‬ This is of Blueprint Cymru, is an original recording from New Wales for Christmas 2025, written and recorded on 12 December 2025 Produced and E...

If Wales wants change, it has to hear some home truths. What really lands with Welsh audiences? And what’s holding us back? A top political journalist lays it bare. Will Hayward is a journalist who, after completing his studies at Cardiff University, chose to make Wales his home. Over the past decade, his work and reporting for, among others Wales Online and the Guardian newspaper in the United Ki...

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 indepe...

What is a nationalist? How does this term connect with today's populist movements? Why is the United Kingdom blind to the positives of Welsh nationalism? Dr. Anwen Elias speaks about all this and more as we attempt to understand why nationalism is so difficult to define, especially within the U.K. Anwen Elias is a prominent political scientist specialising in territorial and constitutional politic...

Legacies of the Rebecca Riots and radical Welsh republicanism surviving in the US to this day. Escaping British punishment or longing to farm the New World? Who emigrated from Wales to the USA in the C19th? What jobs did they do in the US? 🚀 Help build Wales' future 👉 https://new.wales/ 🗳 Senedd 2026 👉 https://new.wales/senedd-2026/ Robert Humphries : is the inaugural director of the Great Plai...

Who emigrated from Wales to the USA in the C19th? What jobs did they do in the US? Where did they live, and what remains of their cultural and linguistic legacy in the US today? 🚀 Help build Wales' future 👉 https://new.wales/ 🗳 Senedd 2026 👉 https://new.wales/senedd-2026/ Robert Humphries : is the inaugural director of the Great Plains Welsh Heritage Centre in Wymore, Nebraska in the USA. He is...

🚀 Help build Wales' future 👉 https://new.wales/ 🗳 Senedd 2026 👉 https://new.wales/senedd-2026/ EPISODE INFO In this mini-episode of Blueprint Cymru , Simon Hobson speaks with Jill Evans, former Plaid Cymru MEP and the first person to use Welsh in the European Parliament. Together they explore what it took to make Cymraeg heard in Brussels, the political and cultural battles behind language reco...

🚀 Help build Wales' future 👉 https://new.wales/ 🗳 Senedd 2026 👉 https://new.wales/senedd-2026/ EPISODE INFO What will it take to bring economic justice to Wales? In this conversation Kiera Marshall outlines her personal vision for Wales' economic future. This is an edited version of the Blueprint Cymru podcast series. See the full version below; Series 1, Ep. 2. ABOUT KIERA MARSHALL Kiera Marsh...