Plaid Cymru has unveiled plans to address two of Wales' most notorious transport bottlenecks - the M4 in the South and the Menai Strait crossing in the North. Nick Servini is joined by our Business and Political Correspondents to assess the proposed plans, explore the challenges involved and ask whether the Welsh Government can find a solution. We also wrap up our conference season coverage with P
7 Oct 2026 · 34 minYour one-stop shop for everything Welsh politics and current affairs. Felicity Evans and James Williams discuss the big issues with exclusive interviews and in-depth analysis.
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The First Minister took to the stage in Llandudno to deliver his first conference speech since winning the Senedd election. Before an expectant audience, he celebrated Plaid Cymru's historic victory but also acknowledged the challenges ahead, including difficult budget decisions and his ambition to go further and faster on devolution in Wales. Elliw Gwawr presented today's episode and was joined b
6 Oct 2026 · 29 minAndy Burnham has set out his vision for transforming Britain, including a pledge to end the state pension triple lock from 2030 to help fund a new National Care Service in England. But what does it all mean for Wales? Fliss is joined by BBC Wales Political Editor Gareth Lewis, Business Correspondent Huw Thomas and David Phillips from the Institute for Fiscal Studies to unpack the announcements and
1 Oct 2026 · 36 minAhead of the annual Labour Party conference, the Prime Minister is in Manchester and talks to our Political Editor Gareth Lewis about independence, the future of devolution, and speculation of an early general election.
25 Sep 2026 · 7 minFollowing Reform UK Wales' first week under new leader Helen Jenner, our Political Correspondent Dan Davies walks us through the party reshuffle and what her leadership might mean for the opposition in the Senedd. Health Correspondent Owain Clarke brings us the latest NHS figures and unpacks why there has been confusion over waiting times targets. Plus, Shelley Phelps joins us from Westminster aft
24 Sep 2026 · 35 minFollowing a difficult week for Reform in Wales, Nigel Farage arrived on the steps of the Senedd to unveil Helen Jenner MS as the party's new Welsh leader. She takes over from Dan Thomas, who stepped down after being arrested on suspicion of assault and controlling or coercive behaviour. Jenner faces the challenge of uniting the party after a turbulent start to the new Senedd term that saw the loss
21 Sep 2026 · 28 minPlaid Cymru’s biggest challenge in government so far may be securing enough support in Cardiff Bay to get its Budget over the line. With negotiations continuing between Plaid ministers and opposition parties, tensions are continuing to emerge. Welsh Labour has warned it will not back the Budget if cuts are made to the flagship early years programme it introduced while in government. On this episod
17 Sep 2026 · 23 minIt's been a difficult week for Reform UK Wales. Dan Thomas, who led the party during their successful Senedd election campaign, has stepped down as Welsh leader after being arrested for assault. The party has also been hit by a defection, with one of its members leaving to join Plaid Cymru. On this episode of Walescast, we speak to Sarah Cooper-Lesadd about her decision to switch parties and what
16 Sep 2026 · 32 minFor 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 Edit
14 Sep 2026 · 34 minFliss 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.
8 Sep 2026 · 34 minFliss 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 politic
27 Aug 2026 · 36 minWe 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.
26 Aug 2026 · 36 minJames 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 c
19 Aug 2026 · 38 minFliss 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.
14 Aug 2026 · 45 minFliss 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.
23 Jul 2026 · 36 minThe 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.
21 Jul 2026 · 41 minKen 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 Wels
16 Jul 2026 · 29 minPlaid 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 Add
15 Jul 2026 · 35 minJames 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.
15 Jul 2026 · 22 minHuw 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
9 Jul 2026 · 44 min