Walescast

The UK Budget is out – but what does it all mean for Wales? Fliss and James break down the big announcements with a panel of politicians, exploring how the decisions in Westminster will impact people in Wales. Plus, BBC Wales’ Political Correspondent joins the conversation to talk through his whirlwind day and the key takeaways from a dramatic day in politics.

It’s a big week for the NHS in Wales. The Covid inquiry report lands, waiting lists results are published, and health boards are facing tough questions. We’re joined by experts including Professor Jon Barry and Dr Helen Howson to ask: what’s next for the Welsh NHS? Plus, after devastating floods in Monmouthshire, we speak to Dr David Clubb from the National Infrastructure Commission for Wales to d...

From environmental and economic ambitions to nuclear power plans in Anglesey — and Reform’s Senedd member facing suspension — Fliss and James unpack a packed week in Welsh politics. Joining the discussions are Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies, Samuel Kurtz MS, Liz Saville Roberts MP, Dr Steffan Evans from the Bevan Foundation, and Political Correspondent Teleri Glyn Jones.

Budgets are on the minds of politicians on both ends of the M4 this week. Whether the Welsh Government can pass theirs will come down to striking a deal with opposition members. But what are the offers on the table? James and Fliss are joined by Mabon ap Gwynfor MS, Sam Rowlands MS and Cllr Anthony Hunt to talk through the details. They also get expert analysis from Wales Governance Centre's Guto...

The dust has settled on the Caerphilly by-election, but the campaigning won't stop there. It's not long to go until the parties will face the ultimate challenge at the Senedd election in May. Politicians from Plaid Cymru, Reform and Labour join Fliss and James to talk about look back at what happened in Caerphilly and discuss what’s to come in the next six months. Cardiff University's Dr Jac Larne...

James and Fliss discuss Plaid Cymru's victory over Reform and Labour in the Caerphilly by-election. It's been a whirlwind campaign and a long night for James, Gareth and Teleri who join the pod off the back of BBC Wales' live stream coverage of the results. They discuss the night, the winners and losers and what it could all mean for the Senedd election in May.

Felicity Evans, James Williams and guests are in the spin room in the aftermath of BBC Wales' Caerphilly by-election TV debate. What were the key issues raised by the audience of voters? And how did the panel of six candidates deal with their questions and concerns?

With Plaid Cymru bringing the party conference season to a close, Felicity Evans and James Williams are joined by BBC Wales colleagues Cemlyn Davies and Emilia Belli to look back at the last month of speeches and fringe events and discuss the major talking points from the final round of national get-togethers before next May's elections to the Senedd

Felicity Evans and James Williams pay a visit to the Caerphilly constituency ahead of the approaching Senedd by-election, speaking to voters and to Richard Gurner, editor of the local Caerphilly Observer newspaper, about the issues that are shaping the campaign

James and Fliss are joined by BBC Wales' health correspondent Owain Clarke to talk about Jeremy Miles' decision to stand down at the next Senedd election. That takes the total to 14 Labour MS' who won't be running next year. Aled Eirug also joins the pod to talk about his new book detailing the life of former Plaid Cymru leader Dafydd Elis-Thomas. They talk about his journey into politics, his ext...

It's been a busy Summer of politics and the pace is not letting up as the Senedd returns from recess. So there's plenty for Felicity Evans to pour over with BBC Wales political editor Gareth Lewis, his Wales Online counterpart Ruth Mosalski, Cardiff University's polls expert Dr Jac Larner and BBC Wales Parliamentary reporter Emilia Belli. Among the topics under discussion are the latest Welsh opin...

Over the summer, James and Fliss sit down with politicians across Wales. On this episode of Walescast they are joined by Darren Millar, the Welsh Conservative Leader in the Senedd. They met in the BBC's Cardiff studio and discussed everything from how he became interested in politics to his interest in Astronomy and Sumo Wrestling. He also talked about the Welsh Conservatives hopes with less than...

Over the summer, James and Fliss sit down with politicians across Wales. On this episode of Walescast they are joined by Liz Saville-Roberts, Plaid Cymru's leader in Westminster. They met at the Welsh language community centre and pub Saith Seren in Wrexham. They talk about her childhood, political career and hopes for Plaid Cymru with less than a year to go until the Senedd election.

Eluned Morgan joins Felicity Evans and James Williams at the National Eisteddfod to reflect on a year since becoming the First Minister. They discuss what leadership is like, some of the challenges she's faced and the upcoming Senedd election.

A few weeks ago Walescast discussed where Labour was a year on from winning the general election. But, where do the opposition parties stand? And what 's in store as they prepare for the Senedd election. Fliss is joined by the Wales Governance Centre's Jac Larner and WalesOnline's Political Editor Ruth Mosalski.

Walescast comes from the Royal Welsh Show - the biggest agricultural festival in Europe. James kicked things off with Nigel Farage MP, Reform UK's leader, following the news that Laura Anne Jones MS has defected to his party after more than 30 years with the Welsh Conservatives. They also discuss farming and what's he has in store for the Senedd elections. James then caught up with Plaid Cymru's L...

It's the last week of the Senedd term and Fliss and Political Correspondent Dan Davies dive into the debate about devolution of justice and whether Westminster will pass over more powers. They are then joined by BBC Wales' Environment Correspondent to discuss the new Sustainable Farming Scheme proposals and whether the Welsh Government has done enough to get farmers and environmentalists both on b...

James is joined by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance Mark Drakeford to discuss taxes on tourism, budgets, taxing the wealthiest and the most recent Senedd polling. BBC Wales' Political Editor, Gareth Lewis, then joins the pod to dig into the detail of their discussion and also mops up another busy week in Welsh politics.

It's been a year since the UK General Election and James and Fliss look back at what's been a busy year in politics. They also talk about the challenges faced by UK Labour over the past week and the impact on the Welsh Government and Senedd election hopes with the latest U-turn on welfare reform. BBC Wales' Political Editor and Westminster Correspondent join the pod to report back on their very bu...

Felicity is joined by PA's Political Editor David Hughes and BBC Political Correspondent Teleri Glyn Jones to discuss UK Labour's welfare cuts and whether the rebellion from MP's will result in a climbdown from the Prime Minister. Fliss then speaks to a GP from Powys and a palliative care consultant about why they are for and against the assisted dying bill. Professor Emyr Lewis talks through the...

Fliss is joined by Australia's former Prime Minister, and the only woman who's held that position, Julia Gillard. Born in Barry, they discuss her sense of Welshness, the sexism and misogyny she experienced in politics and the work she does now for gender equality.

James and Fliss went live from Westminster on Wednesday (11/06/25) to discuss the UK Government's Spending Review, what's in it for Wales and what it means for the relationship between the two Welsh Labour Governments. They discussed the details with the Welsh Secretary of State, Jo Stevens MP and the First Minister, Eluned Morgan MS. They also spoke to a panel of opposition politicians - Plaid Cy...

Money, Money, Money... James and Fliss speak to three Senedd politicians and two political editors about the UK government's upcoming Spending Review. And... following an inquiry by the Welsh Affairs Committee - what are the challenges facing Welsh farmers in 2025?

Where will benefits cuts hit hardest? What’s the impact of public sector pay rises in Wales? James and Fliss are joined by Policy in Practice’s Sam Fathers, Welsh Labour’s Mick Antoniw MS, and Nicky Hughes from the Royal College of Nursing to discuss. And, with the Eisteddfod yr Urdd well underway, James and Fliss also catch up with Welsh Language Commissioner, Efa Gruffudd Jones to talk targets.

James and Fliss discuss Britain's Brexit reset following the UK Government's latest deal with the EU. They are joined by Welsh Conservative James Evans MS and Welsh Labour MS Alun Davies to discuss details of the deal and what it all means for Wales. James then catches up with Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, Jayne Bryant, about the Welsh Government's new bill to tackle homeless...