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://twitter.com/JYDenham and, of course, us: https://twitter.com/HiraethBlog If you're enjoying Hiraeth...
Dec 07, 2020•48 min
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 find Lee on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/Amanwy And, of course, Hiraeth here: https://twitter....
Nov 22, 2020•47 min
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 political psychology and Fullbright Fellow - and Jane Davidson, former Welsh Government Minister ...
Nov 20, 2020•43 min
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: Cllr Dick Cole: https://twitter.com/CllrDickCole Dr Phillip Proudfoot/NIP: https://twitter.com/FreeNor...
Nov 12, 2020•53 min
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.com/as_penarth Emily Durrant: https://twitter.com/emilyvdurrant Wales Green Party: https://twitter.c...
Oct 29, 2020•33 min
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
Oct 25, 2020•27 sec
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 Martin: https://twitter.com/mimosacymru Follow Hiraeth on Twitter for the latest blogs/pods/videos and up...
Oct 25, 2020•58 min
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 and deep, deep disdain for the UK Government's Internal Market Bill. You can find David on Twitter her...
Oct 22, 2020•38 min
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 detailed in his new book 'Not Just Politics'. You can find Carwyn on Twitter here: https://twitter.com...
Oct 15, 2020•38 min
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 enjoying the Hiraeth pod, please subscribe, rate, and review in your podcast player of choice.
Oct 08, 2020•36 min
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 could be revised to provide a better, more equal union. You can find Jeremy on Twitter here: https:...
Oct 01, 2020•28 min
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 our guests on Twitter here: Jim: https://twitter.com/jjjj86 Ed: https://twitter.com/EdEvansWales An...
Sep 28, 2020•47 min
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 And, of course, us here: https://twitter.com/HiraethBlog If you're enjoying the Hiraeth pod, please r...
Sep 25, 2020•53 min
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 of these episodes on Hiraeth: https://medium.com/@hiraethblogcymru/self-fulfilling-prophecy-joe-hea...
Sep 18, 2020•1 hr 4 min
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 arguments of the case and what its impact might be on future use of the technology. You can find E...
Aug 23, 2020•33 min
As the countries on Britain continue to chart different political courses, could a new federal United Kingdom provide a solution that could persuade independence supporters and centralising unionists that there is enough common ground to build a sustainable future for the UK? The Liberal Democrats and the new British Labour leadership think so. We ask the leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, Jane Dodds, and Hefin David (Member of the Senedd for Caerphilly) to outline how they think federalism ...
Aug 16, 2020•1 hr 16 min
Following the First Minister's widely-shared comments about the compatibility (or not) of national movements and socialism, this episode is the second of a short series of two exploring the subject. In our previous episode we heard PhD student Sam Parry explore the argument from the perspective of a committed socialist equally committed to the Welsh independence campaign. This episode takes in a very different perspective from Labour historian Dr Daryl Leeworthy, author of 'Labour Country'. If y...
Aug 02, 2020•1 hr 3 min
Following the First Minister's widely-shared comments about the compatibility (or not) of national movements and socialism, this episode is the first of a short series of two exploring the subject. In this episode we hear PhD student Sam Parry explore the argument from the perspective of a committed socialist equally committed to the Welsh independence campaign. Our subsequent episode will feature a different perspective from Labour historian Dr Daryl Leeworthy. If you'd like to know more about ...
Jul 26, 2020•43 min
Wrapping up our series looking ahead to the Senedd election in 2021, we pull out some of the common themes and differences in the way the parties are approaching the election and look at the personalities and policies that might make a difference. If you'd like to catch up with our Senedd 2021 series, you can find the whole box set here: https://soundcloud.com/hiraethpod/sets/senedd-2021-the-box-set You can find out more about Hiraeth here: https://twitter.com/HiraethBlog And please do get in to...
Jul 19, 2020•1 hr 5 min
In the last of our series of interviews looking at the Senedd 2021 election, we take a look at the increasingly prominent question of Welsh independence and the ever prominent question of Scottish independence in the parallel election for the Scottish Parliament. Our guests: Prof. Ailsa Henderson: https://twitter.com/ailsa_henderson Ben and colleagues at Labour for Indy Wales: https://twitter.com/Lab4indyWales Elin Hywel: https://twitter.com/ElinHywel If you're enjoying listening to the pod, ple...
Jul 12, 2020•49 min
Continuing our preview of the Senedd 2021 campaign, this episode we discuss the policies not the politics that will - and should - feature as the people of Wales elect their next government. Our guests: Meg Thomas - Policy and Research Officer at Disability Wales - https://twitter.com/meganniathomas Harry Thompson - Account Executive for Deryn Public Affairs - https://twitter.com/HMorganThompson Daniel Roberts - Policy and Research Officer at Wales Co-Operative Centre - https://twitter.com/danro...
Jul 03, 2020•49 min
We follow up our pod with the Liberal Democrats, Greens and Communist Party with a discussion of the challenges they face heading towards the Senedd 2021 election. Our Lib Dem/Green/Communist Pod: https://soundcloud.com/user-177544521/senedd-2021-liberal-democrats-greens-and-communists If you're enjoying Hiraeth, please like and subscribe on your podcast player of choice and follow us on Twitter for the latest updates: https://twitter.com/HiraethBlog
Jun 21, 2020•31 min
One year away from the Senedd elections, we continue our series of podcasts analysing the state of the parties. In this episode we take a look at the smaller parties of the left and centre and their ambitions and prospects for 2021. In this episode, former Assembly Member Eluned Parrott and Cllr James Gibson Watt discuss the Welsh Liberal Democrats. For the Wales Green Party we have deputy leader Lauren James and former Rhondda candidate Shaun Thomas. Finally, we have Catrin Ashton, former Mid a...
Jun 18, 2020•39 min
One year away from the Senedd elections, we continue our series of podcasts analysing the state of the parties. Following our interview with, David Melding MS, Cllrs Amanda Jenner, James Evans and Emma Wilde, we consider how the Conservatives have reconciled themselves to devolution (or not), the chances of making gains in 2021, the (surprising) willingness to work with Plaid Cymru and what the key campaign issues might be in 2021. You can listen to our interview with David, Amanda, Emma and Jam...
Jun 14, 2020•40 min
One year away from the Senedd elections, we continue our series of podcasts analysing the state of the parties. In this episode, David Melding MS, Cllrs Amanda Jenner, James Evans and Emma Wilde evaluate the success of the Conservatives in Wales in the UK election of 2019, the spectrum of support ranging from abolition of devolution to independence, the leadership of the party in Wales and the potential for working with Plaid Cymru after the next election.
Jun 11, 2020•48 min
Following our interview with Cllr Carrie Harper (Wrecsam) and former Cardiff Central parliamentary candidate Mark Hooper, we discuss the challenges and opportunities for Plaid Cymru at the Welsh Parliament elections in 2021. You can listen back to Carrie and Mark's interview here (and we'd recommend you do): https://soundcloud.com/user-177544521/senedd-2021-plaid-cymru Read the latest posts on Hiraeth here: medium.com/@hiraethblogcymru And follow on Twitter here: twitter.com/HiraethBlog
Jun 07, 2020•35 min
One year away from the Senedd elections, we continue our series of podcasts analysing the state of the parties. In this episode, Senedd candidate for Wrecsam Carrie Harper and former Cardiff Central UK Parliament candidate Mark Hooper discuss the big ideas that they believe will be the basis of a successful campaign for Plaid Cymru in 2021.
Jun 04, 2020•41 min
Following our interview with Anna McMorrin MP, Tonia Antoniazzi MP and Mike Hedges MS, we discuss the challenges facing Labour in the 2021 election. You can listen back to Anna, Tonia and Mike's interview here: https://soundcloud.com/user-177544521/01-welsh-labour Read the latest posts on Hiraeth herE: https://medium.com/@hiraethblogcymru And follow on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/HiraethBlog
Jun 01, 2020•28 min
One year away from the Senedd elections, we start our series of podcasts analysing the state of the parties with Welsh Labour. We are joined by Mike Hedges MS, Tonia Antoniazzi MP and Anna McMorrin MP.
May 28, 2020•35 min
