Senedd Sources

Is Keir Starmer a good Prime Minister? It should be an easy question for Labour politicians — but in Wales, it’s turning into a political headache. In this episode of Senedd Sources , Ollie Cole, former Welsh Government adviser Jo Kiernan and political communications expert Craig Lawton unpack: Why Welsh Labour figures are struggling to publicly back Keir Starmer Growing tension between Welsh Labo...

🔴 Welcome to Senedd Sources , your inside look at Welsh politics. In this episode, Ollie Cole, Craig Lawton and Jo Kiernan to unpack the latest political drama: Welsh Conservatives’ James Evans kicked out amid talks with Reform UK The influence of Nigel Farage and the Reform UK narrative in Wales Eluned Morgan’s strategy and positioning ahead of the 2026 Senedd elections Voter engagement, manifes...

In this episode of the Senedd Sources Podcast , we sit down with First Minister of Wales and Welsh Labour leader, Eluned Morgan for an extended, in-depth interview at a pivotal moment in Welsh politics. The First Minister speaks candidly about: The latest Senedd election opinion poll and whether she could lose her own seat how Labour plans to win back Plaid voters why she refuses to chase Reform U...

The Sources Podcast hosts come together for a special New Year 2026 UK politics preview, analysing what could be the most volatile year in British politics for a generation. With local elections in England, Scottish Parliament elections, Senedd elections in Wales, and mounting pressure on the Northern Ireland Executive, this episode explores how the rise of Reform UK, growing voter fragmentation,...

On today's episode, Lee Waters MS joins Senedd Sources for a candid, wide-ranging conversation on Welsh devolution, Labour Party tensions, political authenticity, and the personal toll of public life . In this episode, Ollie, Craig and Jo ask Lee about: His time as a government minister under Mark Drakeford Why authenticity in politics can be both powerful and dangerous His controversial letter to...

In this Senedd Sources Christmas special , Ollie Cole, Jo Kiernan and Craig Lawton look back on a remarkable year in Welsh politics — from the rise of Reform UK and the Caerphilly by-election shock , to the fallout from the Nathan Gill scandal, and the countdown to the 2026 Senedd election . We’re also joined by Simon Hart , former Welsh Secretary , Chief Whip , and now Lord Hart of Tenby , to dis...

Welsh politics has been shaken by stunning new polling from YouGov and the Wales Governance Centre — and the implications are seismic. In this episode of Senedd Sources, Ollie Cole, Jo Kiernan (former adviser to First Ministers Rhodri Morgan and Carwyn Jones) and Craig Lawton (political adviser and Welsh Conservative candidate) unpack a poll that puts Plaid Cymru on 33%, Reform UK on 30%, and Wels...

In this episode of Senedd Sources , Ollie Cole, Jo Kiernan and Craig Lawton break down a dramatic week in Welsh politics — including the rapid-fire budget deal between Labour and Plaid Cymru and what this all means ahead of the 2025 Senedd election . We’re also joined by special guest Tom Giffard MS , Welsh Conservative Member of the Senedd for South Wales West. Tom gives us his take on: The Plaid...

Wales just hosted its biggest investment event in decades — but will the £16bn announcements move the polls before May’s Senedd elections? In this week’s Senedd Sources, Ollie, Jo and Craig break down a huge week in Welsh politics: 🏢 Wales’ Global Investment Summit • Was the £16bn package real, new or repackaged? • What role did UK Labour ministers, the Prince of Wales, and companies like Nvidia...

This week, Ollie Cole, Jo Kiernan and Craig Lawton break down one of the biggest political weeks of the year, including Rachel Reeves’ long-trailed Westminster Budget and what it really means for Wales. We analyse: Why the Budget felt like “Groundhog Day” The lifting of the two-child benefit cap and how it could lift 26,000 Welsh children out of poverty The hidden impact of tax threshold freezes a...

In this week’s episode of Senedd Sources, Ollie Cole, Jo Kiernan and Craig Lawton sit down with Cai Parry-Jones, Reform UK spokesperson in Wales and Vice Chair of the Anglesey, Bangor & Aberconwy branch. With Reform UK rapidly increasing its vote share and shaking up Welsh politics — including a huge showing in the Caerphilly by-election — this conversation cuts through the noise and looks at...

Welcome to Senedd Sources — your inside track on Welsh politics. This week, Ollie Cole, Jo Kiernan and Craig Lawton unpack a jam-packed week in Welsh and UK politics. 🟢 Can the Green Party win their first ever Senedd seat? With membership tripling and Zack Polanski energising the movement, the Greens are targeting key constituencies like Cardiff and Penarth — but could a split between the Welsh a...

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth joins Senedd Sources to discuss his party’s stunning by-election win in Caerphilly , what it means for the 2026 Senedd election , and how Plaid plans to challenge both Labour’s dominance in Cardiff Bay and the rise of Reform UK . Rhun speaks candidly about populism, independence, cooperation in Welsh politics, and why he’s ready to lead Wales as First Minister....

In this week’s Senedd Sources , Ollie Cole, Jo Kiernan and Craig Lawton unpack the Caerphilly by-election fallout , the rise (and stall) of Reform UK in Wales , and the quiet competence of Plaid Cymru’s ground game . They also look ahead to Wales’ long-delayed Investment Summit , asking whether it will deliver real inward investment or just more political headlines. With First Minister Eluned Morg...

The Caerphilly by-election has shaken Welsh politics to its core. In this Senedd Sources flash reaction episode, Calum Macdonald, Jo Kiernan and Craig Lawton unpack a dramatic night for Welsh democracy. 👉 Plaid Cymru has claimed victory with 47% of the vote — the party’s first win in Caerphilly for 100 years — while Labour crashed to third , and Reform UK surged into second with 36%. What does th...

In this episode of Senedd Sources , Ollie Cole, Jo Kiernan and Craig Lawton are joined by Cathy Owens (Cavendish Consulting) , who shares exclusive new YouGov polling on Welsh attitudes toward energy, renewables, and climate change. They explore: Why 70% of Welsh voters back onshore renewables like wind and solar The disconnect between voters and political parties on climate policy How Plaid Cymru...

It’s crunch time in Caerphilly . New polling puts Reform UK ahead of Plaid Cymru — and Welsh Labour facing a nightmare scenario. On this week’s Senedd Sources Podcast , Ollie Cole, Jo Kiernan, and Craig Lawton break down what’s really happening on the ground, the fallout from Plaid Cymru’s party conference , and the latest twists in the Senedd budget negotiations . We cover: 📊 The latest Caerphil...

As Plaid Cymru ride high in the polls and the Conservatives face existential questions, Wales heads for a seismic election year. In this episode of Senedd Sources , Ollie Cole, Jo Kiernan, and Craig Lawton unpack: What Kemi Badenoch’s Conservative Conference speech really means for Wales Why Plaid Cymru’s conference could define the next Senedd election The growing Tory–Reform dilemma — and whethe...

In this episode of the Senedd Sources Podcast , Ollie Cole plus Jo Kiernan (former adviser to First Ministers Rhodri Morgan and Carwyn Jones, before that a journalist for ITV Wales and now senior consultant with Cavendish Consulting) and Craig Lawton (was a politician and adviser for the Welsh Conservatives, now working at Grasshopper Communications) to break down the key political battles shaping...

Wales is heading for one of its most consequential Senedd elections yet — and the future of Welsh Labour dominance is at stake. In this episode of Senedd Sources , Ollie Cole is joined by Jo Kiernan (former adviser to First Ministers Rhodri Morgan and Carwyn Jones, now at Cavendish Consulting) and Craig Lawton (ex-Welsh Conservative adviser, now Head of Public Affairs at Grasshopper Comms) to brea...

Senedd Sources is your brand new guide to the people, policies and power struggles shaping Wales as the nation heads towards a dramatic 2026 election. Hosted by journalist Ollie Cole , former Welsh Labour adviser Jo Kiernan , and ex-Welsh Conservative adviser Craig Lawton , the podcast takes you inside the corridors of the Senedd like never before. With insiders’ insight, sharp debate and behind-t...