Walescast

Episódios

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  Is Westminster's Time Coming to an End? 14.09.2026 34min

  For the first time since devolution began, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are all led by first ministers who support leaving the United Kingdom. Following a press conference with the three leaders, Fliss and James discuss the signing of an agreement, which argues that no Westminster government has the right to "block democracy". James reports from the event and speaks to STV's Political Editor Colin Mackay about the political landscape in Scotland and what this moment could mean for the independence movement. The podcast also hears from BBC Northern Ireland Political Reporter Brendan Hughes, who offers insight into the picture in Northern Ireland.
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  'Must try harder' - Wales' poor PISA results 08.09.2026 34min

  Fliss studies the latest PISA results that show Wales has fallen further behind other UK nations, as well as taking a look back at the Reform party conference.
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  When we met Helen Jenner at the Pritchard Jones Institute 27.08.2026 36min

  Fliss and James are in Newborough, on Anglesey, to meet Reform UK's Welsh Deputy Leader. Joining her at the Pritchard Jones Institute they chat about her upbringing, career, Welsh identity and political journey. She also reveals the band she was in growing up and her time at the BRIT School for performing arts. Throughout August, Walescast has been travelling across the country to speak to politicians from a different political parties.
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  Has Plaid Cymru's 100 Day Plan Paid Off? 26.08.2026 36min

  We have come to the end of Plaid Cymru's 100 Day Plan. But, what have they achieved in that time? Fliss catches up with BBC Wales' Political Editor Gareth Lewis to find out what's gone well and the issues that have arisen for the new Government. We listen to Gareth's interview with the Minister for Effectiveness and the Constitution as well as hearing from leaders of the opposition.
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  When we met Heledd Fychan at the National Lido of Wales 19.08.2026 38min

  James is in Ynysangharad Park, overlooking the National Lido of Wales, to chat with Heledd Fychan MS. Recently appointed Minister for Culture and Sport in the new Plaid Cymru Government, she also serves as the party's Trefnydd and Chief Whip. In this wide-ranging interview, James and Heledd discuss Plaid Cymru's historic election victory, her own political journey, the current state of sport and culture in Wales, and the challenges and opportunities facing her party in government. Throughout August, Walescast is travelling across Wales to speak to politicians from different parties.
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  When we met Ken Skates at Shotton Steelworks 14.08.2026 45min

  Fliss and James meet the new Welsh Labour leader Ken Skates MS at the John Summers Clock Tower on the former Shotton Steelworks site. In a wide-ranging conversation, they discuss his upbringing, career, experiences with mental health and the challenging period ahead for Welsh Labour. Throughout August, Walescast is travelling across Wales to speak to politicians from across the political spectrum.
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  What has Burnham's First Week Meant for Wales? 23.07.2026 36min

  Fliss and James are joined by three BBC political correspondents from Wales and Westminster. They discuss Burnham's first week as PM, what's been said about Wales and some familiar faces at the heart of his new cabinet. They also discuss an issue with the Welsh Government's Supplementary Budget plans.
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  Royal Welsh, Rural Affairs and a New Prime Minister 21.07.2026 41min

  The Royal Welsh is back, and James is joined by a variety of guests at the showground to discuss what a Plaid Cymru government means for rural affairs and Welsh farming. The conversation also turns to Westminster, where a new Prime Minister has taken office, and what these political changes could mean for agriculture and Welsh politics.This episode was recorded on 21 July 2026.
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  New Labour Leaders 16.07.2026 29min

  Ken Skates has been confirmed as the new permanent leader of Welsh Labour, inheriting a party facing significant challenges after its disappointing Senedd election performance. As he steps into the role, he'll become the public face of one of Wales's opposition parties, with the task of rebuilding support and restoring confidence in Welsh Labour. Former journalist and ex-Chief of Staff to the Welsh Government, Jo Kiernan, joins us to assess the scale of the challenge ahead and what Skates must do to turn the party's fortunes around. We also hear from our Political Editor Gareth Lewis, who looks ahead to Andy Burnham taking the reins after Keir Starmer's final week as Prime Minister. Can Burnham reset relations between Wales and Westminster, and what might his leadership mean for the future of Welsh politics and for the Labour party here?
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  Budget Vote Loss: The Analysis 15.07.2026 35min

  Plaid Cymru's plans for additional spending have been voted down in the Senedd after Labour refused to back proposed budget changes. Fliss and James are joined by Dr Ed Poole of the Wales Governance Centre and BBC Wales Political Editor Gareth Lewis to unpack the political fallout and examine the numbers in the budget. They also speak to Luke Sibieta from the Institute for Fiscal Studies about Additional Learning Needs funding, a key issue that contributed to the Welsh Government's defeat.
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  Budget Vote Loss: The Interviews 15.07.2026 22min

  James speaks to First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth after his government fails to win the vote on their extra spending plans. He also catches up with Welsh Labour leader Ken Skates whose party refused to support changes to the budget. These interviews were on Radio Wales Breakfast on the 15th of July. You can catch up with that and Walescast's analysis on BBC Sounds.
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  In Conversation with the Bank of England's Chief Economist 09.07.2026 44min

  Huw Pill is one of just nine members of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee, the group responsible for setting UK interest rates – decisions that influence everything from mortgage costs to inflation.Born and raised in Cardiff, Huw is now the Bank of England's Chief Economist and Executive Director for Monetary Analysis and Research. In this episode, Fliss and James speak to him about his Welsh roots, his journey from Cardiff to one of the most influential economic roles in the country, and his views on the challenges and opportunities facing both the UK and Welsh economies.
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  Nigel Farage's Resignation Gambit 08.07.2026 32min

  Nigel Farage has resigned as an MP, triggering a by-election he says he'll contest. Fliss and James are joined by Political Editor Gareth Lewis to unpack the dramatic move, how it came about and the reaction from Reform UK in Wales.They also discuss plans for a new economic development agency, which the Welsh Government hopes will help boost productivity and drive economic growth. Former minister Andrew Davies explains why he scrapped the previous Welsh Development Agency in 2006 and what lessons can be learned from its demise.Plus, how should governments tackle complex policy challenges? Andy Regan, Head of Nesta Cymru, joins the podcast to discuss what works best when it comes to delivering ambitious reforms, including in areas such as childcare.
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  Can 'Manchesterism' work for Wales? 02.07.2026 36min

  In his first major speech since launching his bid to replace Keir Starmer, Andy Burnham focused on devolving power from Westminster. But what could it all mean for Wales? Greater Manchester, and the transformation Burnham says he's helped deliver there, was a focus of the speech. Fliss and guests examine the key ingredients behind the city's success and ask whether this can be replicated elsewhere in the UK, specifically in Wales.
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  Counting the change: Plaid's mini-budget 25.06.2026 38min

  Felicity Evans and Gareth Lewis speak to the Welsh Government's Finance Minister Elin Jones, and David Phillips from the Institute for Fiscal Studies, about the supplementary budget.
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  Brexit: 10 Years on in Ebbw Vale 23.06.2026 33min

  It's been ten years since the United Kingdom voted to leave the EU. James is in Ebbw Vale to reflect on the day. The town is part of the Blaenau Gwent where 62% of the population voted for Brexit, compared to an average of 52.5% across Wales. James talks to people about how they voted at the time and their thoughts on the decision ten years later.
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  Where did it go wrong for Sir Keir Starmer? 22.06.2026 29min

  Former First Minister Mark Drakeford joins James Williams and Gareth Lewis to assess Sir Keir Starmer's legacy, and to explain why he's backing Andy Burnham as his successor.
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  Can Extra Cash Cut NHS Waiting Lists? 20.06.2026 28min

  Fliss and James are joined by BBC Wales' Health Correspondent to discuss his interviews with the new Health Minister and whether the extra funding he's announced can cut down waiting lists.
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  A Senedd Walkout and Education Updates 18.06.2026 28min

  Fliss and James unpack the Senedd row that saw a walkout after a controversial speech in the Siambr by Reform MS Joe Martin. They’re joined by BBC Wales Political Reporter David Deans, who was there at the time, to break down what happened and why. The team also turn their attention to education, analysing the latest announcements from the Welsh Education Minister. They discuss her stance on social media bans, restrictions on mobile phones in schools and the ongoing difficulties around teachers’ pay and PISA with our Correspondent Bethan Lewis.
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  Plaid's childcare expansion: What's the plan? 11.06.2026 34min

  Childcare returns to the political spotlight in Wales this week. James is joined by Political Editor Gareth Lewis to unpack the Welsh Government’s commitment to the policy, after surviving an important vote in the Senedd. They’re also joined by Steffan Evans from the Bevan Foundation to explore the real-world impact of getting childcare policy right (or wrong). Plus, James takes a closer look at a Welsh Affairs Committee report into prisons, probation and rehabilitation and the ''serious concerns'' it raises. Ella Rabaiotti from the Welsh Centre for Crime and Social Justice breaks down the findings and what it all means for Wales.