Hiraeth - Welsh Politics

Following our previous podcasts on the subject of Welsh independence, this podcast presents a very interesting debate organised by Momentum/Welsh Labour Grassroots and The World Transformed that explores whether there is a socialist case for Welsh (& Scots) independence. The debate is chaired by former Hiraeth pod guest Harriet Protheroe-Soltani and features the following speakers; Mick Antoniw MS...

Continuing our series looking at the big policy challenges facing the parties campaigning to govern after the Senedd 2021 election, this pod tackles one of the biggest portfolios and - arguably - one of the most challenging; the economy. Joining us are Professor Calvin Jones (Professor of Economics and Tourism at Cardiff University, Dr Victoria Winkler (Director of the Bevan Foundation) and Sion B...

In this pod we're joined by Jess Blair of the Electoral Reform Society Cymru and Professor Laura McAllister of Cardiff University who chaired the 2017 Expert Panel on Assembly Electoral Reform. We discuss the challenges facing the parties as they campaign for an election which may, or may not, happen in May and try to engage with the enlarged electorate which includes 16 and 17 year-olds and quali...

To mark ten years since he joined the House of Lords, we speak to Dafydd Wigley about Plaid Cymru, the post-Brexit landscape for Welsh politics and the economy, the independence movement, and his long career in politics. Do follow us on Twitter for the latest news about pods and blogs: https://twitter.com/HiraethBlog If you're enjoying the Hiraeth pod, please like and subscribe in your podcast app...

We begin our series of deep dives into the opportunities and challenges facing the ministers of the next Welsh Government with a look at the environment portfolio as Matt & Ceri speak to Jemma Bere of Keep Wales Tidy, Liz Silversmith of Wales Environment Link and energy projects manager Alex Meredith. You can find our guests on Twitter: Jemma: https://twitter.com/JemmaBere Liz: https://twitter.com...

After a *very* tricky week for the Welsh Conservatives and another unsuccessful foray for the 'Minister for the Union' north of the border, we are joined by Theo Davies-Lewis to analyse where this leaves the Conservatives in Wales and Wales in the union. You can find Theo on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/TDaviesLewis Matt here: https://twitter.com/hexter101 Ceri here: https://twitter.com/cerit...

In this episode we discuss the latest political issues with Plaid Cymru MS for South East Wales, Delyth Jewell. We also cover her political history and the tragic circumstances that saw her join the Senedd after the passing of Steffan Lewis. You can find Delyth on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/DelythJewellAM And of course, us: https://twitter.com/HiraethBlog If you're enjoying Hiraeth, please...

In the week of the Institute of Welsh Affairs Media Summit, we take a look at the state of new and traditional media in and about Wales with Martin Shipton of the Western Mail, Huw Marshall of The News Wales and Rhian Jones of Red Pepper/Tribune. Find our guests on Twitter here: Martin: https://twitter.com/ShiptonMartin Huw: https://twitter.com/huwmar Rhian: https://twitter.com/RhianEJones And, of...

Matt, Ceri and Rich take a look at the latest political stories in Wales and review the big themes of the year, including performance of Welsh & English/UK Governments, Brexit, the Internal Market Bill, Labour's travails with further devolution and - yes - even some positive stuff. Matt: https://twitter.com/hexter101 Ceri: https://twitter.com/ceritheviking Rich: https://twitter.com/mimosacymru And...

Following the UK Government's success in passing the controversial Internal Market Bill through Westminster in the face of opposition in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the future of the UK is again under the microscope. With Scotland nearing the exit and this UK Government seemingly intent on re-centralising power in London, the British Labour Party are launching a constitutional convention...

As part of our mini-series on looking at England, its regions, and future in the UK, we speak to former MP Professor John Denham of the University of Southampton's Centre for English Identity and Politics and the English Labour Network and Alex Niven of Newcastle University and author of 'New Model Island'. You can find our guests on Twitter here: Alex: https://twitter.com/Alex_Niven John: https:/...

Welsh Government deputy minister Lee Waters MS has developed a reputation for speaking his mind and in this episode he does just that. In a wide-ranging conversation, we cover everything from economic 'sexy talk', the nationalisation of Welsh rail services, the realities of a post-COVID world and the reasons why Welsh Labour should positively engage in the conversations about independence. You can...

The dust is far from settled on the US Presidential Election 2020 but the clear Biden victory suggests a revived (and welcome) role for coherent policy making at home and abroad for the next four years. What does this mean for Wales, the UK and the wider world and what did we learn about America during the election? To discuss with Matt and Ceri is political scientist Dr Jac Larner - a specialist...

In these episode we speak to the leaders of two campaigns to gain political control for their nations from Westminster. They are Dr Phillip Proudfoot of the recently formed Northern Independence Party (NIP) and Dick Cole of Meybyon Kernow. We discuss their key aims, the source of their discontent with the status quo and their aspirations for the future. You can find our guests below on Twitter: Cl...

After the Wales Green Party decided to campaign for Welsh independence in the event of a referendum, we speak to Wales Green Party Leader Anthony Slaughter and Cllr Emily Durrant to discuss the history and the future of the Green Party in Wales and what the support for independence means in the context of next year's Senedd elections. Find our guests on Twitter: Anthony Slaughter: https://twitter....

Here's a quick snapshot of what we do here at the Hiraeth Pod. Check out our past episodes and subscribe to the feed to receive future pods automatically. Follow us on Twitter for the latest blogs/pods/videos: https://twitter.com/HiraethBlog

The pubs may be closed for the Welsh Firebreak but Tafarn Hiraeth is open for business for a Firebreak Friday discussion of the Welsh Gov's COVID-19 response, the UK Gov's less-than-perfect record, the renationalisation of Welsh rail (sort of) and the upcoming US Election. Featuring Matt Hexter: https://twitter.com/hexter101 Ceri 'The Viking' Davies: https://twitter.com/ceritheviking Richard Marti...

Few members of the Senedd are as distinctive as long serving liberal Conservative David Melding, the 'Last of the Unionists'. Known for his thoughtful and considered approach to political discourse, he will be stepping down from the Senedd in May 2021. We discuss his political journey from Neath Young Conservatives, through opposition to devolution in 1997 to his campaign for a new act of union an...

As one of Wales's most recognisable politicians, Carwyn Jones has led the country through some of the most tumultuous years in its recent past and as a minister and later First Minister not only been instrumental in the development of the Senedd but also the Labour Party in Wales. Carwyn will be stepping down as an MS in 2021 and we took took this opportunity to discuss his political journey as de...

After her announcement that she will not be seeking re-election to the Senedd in 2021, we caught up with Bethan Sayed MS to discuss her journey from election in 2007 to the difficult decision to prioritise her family over her desire to represent her community. You can find Bethan on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/bethanjenkins And, of course, us: https://twitter.com/HiraethBlog If you're enjoyi...

In this episode, we're joined by Jeremy Miles MS, Brexit Minister and Counsel General for the Welsh Government, to discuss the UK Government's contentious Internal Market Bill. Jeremy puts forward the Welsh Government's case that the bill is as damaging to relations with the other governments of the UK as it has been with international governments and describes how Welsh Government thinks the bill...

As the COVID-19 lockdown lifted in Wales, we saw a number of incidents across the country where the interests of the tourists and locals seemed to come into conflict. In this episode we discuss the challenges facing the tourist industry in Wales with Jim Jones, CEO of North Wales Tourism and Edward Evans, Chair of Keep Wales Tidy and recently chair of the Brecon Beacons National Park. You can find...

This show focusses on the upcoming Presidential election in the United States. We're joined by two Welsh Americans, Dr Gareth Roberts (Philadelphia) and Anna Thomas (Tucson) and Dr Ian Stafford, senior lecturer in politics at Cardiff University. You can find our guests on Twitter here: Gareth: https://twitter.com/garicgymro Ian: https://twitter.com/IanStafford78 Anna: https://twitter.com/kit24_7 A...

After our mini-series looking at the complex and occasionally contradictory/complementary relationships between federalism, socialism and nationalism in Wales and elsewhere in the UK and Europe, Joe Healy joins us to discuss his blog on the subject and wrap up the series. The Federalism, Socialism and Nationalism box set: https://soundcloud.com/hiraethpod/sets/federalism-socialism-and Joe’s review...

In August 2020, Dr Ed Bridges & Liberty successfully took their legal challenge against South Wales Police's use of automatic facial recognition technology to the Court of Appeal of Wales and England. The court upheld three of their five points raised on appeal and ruled that use of the technology by police forces in Wales and England is unlawful. In this pod we speak to Ed about the nature and ar...