Walescast

<p>Felicity Evans and James Williams present a one-stop shop of what's happening in the world of Welsh politics.</p>

It's Party (Conference) Time...

Felicity Evans and James Williams look back at the Green Party's recent get together in Manchester with its Welsh leader Anthony Slaughter - and the Liberal Democrats' gathering in Brighton with the party's newly-elected MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe, David Chadwick. With both parties returning record numbers of MPs to Westminster in the General Election the mood at their conferences was celebratory. But already their attention is turning to the Senedd elections in 20 months time.

09-20
20:59

Getting the Priorities Right

Felicity Evans, James Williams and guests discuss the new First Minister Eluned Morgan's top priorities - as set out in a speech to the Senedd earlier in the week. Former health board chair professor Marcus Longley explains the challenges in delivering improvements to the NHS in Wales; BBC Wales business correspondent Huw Thomas looks at possible approaches to creating jobs within a greener economy; and BBC Wales education correspondent Bethan Lewis explores what the commitment to driving up standards in schools may involve

09-19
36:56

"It's a Deal..."

Felicity Evans and Elliw Gwawr discuss the small print of the deal between Tata Steel and the UK Government that paves the way for the building of a greener electric arc furnace at the company's Port Talbot plant with the Guardian's Kiran Stacey. Plus who's got what job in the reshuffled cabinet of the new First Minister, Eluned Morgan.

09-12
34:53

Pushing New Boundaries

James Williams pores over the proposed new electoral map of Wales for the 2026 Senedd elections with Shereen Williams of the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru and discusses the issues preoccupying MPs as they return to Parliament with BBC Wales Westminster reporter Shelley Phelps

09-05
30:10

Are the Grey Suits Out?

It's confirmed. Wales has it's first female First Minister. A whirlwind three weeks for Eluned Morgan which culminated in a seat at the top of Welsh Labour and the Senedd. But, it's not been plain sailing. The third First Minister this year will have a stacked in-tray and a party to pull together. She's already making changes with the return of familiar faces to her Cabinet. Joining James Williams to discuss all of that are Jo Kiernan, a former Senior Special Adviser to the First Minster, and Chris Carter is a Columnist for the Labour List.

08-07
31:00

End of Term Report

Felicity Evans and James Williams review the first month of the new UK Labour government and also assess the state of play of Welsh politics ahead of next week's Senedd vote that is expected to confirm Eluned Morgan as the new First Minister with the help of BBC Wales political editor Gareth Lewis, Westminster reporter Shelley Phelps and Dr Jac Larner of Cardiff University's Welsh Governance Centre

08-01
43:21

First Minister-in-Waiting

Felicity Evans, James Williams and guests reflect on Eluned Morgan’s appointment as leader of Welsh Labour and First Minister-in-waiting and explore what it means for Welsh politics ahead of Senedd elections in 2026

07-25
29:18

Anatomy of a Fall

Felicity Evans and James Williams digest the fallout from Vaughan Gething’s resignation as First Minister in the company of his predecessor as Welsh Labour leader Mark Drakeford, the leader of Plaid Cymru Rhun ap Iorwerth and the Conservative MS for Brecon and Radnorshire James Evans. Former Welsh Government special adviser turned political consultant Jo Kiernan is also on hand to offer her insights into what’s next for Welsh Labour as it starts a fresh search for a new leader

07-19
31:44

118 Days Later...

In this additional episode Felicity Evans and James Williams chew over the details of the First Minister's resignation. They are joined by BBC Wales' Welsh Affairs Editor Vaughan Roderick to dissect the decision and discuss what's next for Welsh Labour as the search for a new leader starts again.

07-16
16:38

Winners and Losers

Felicity Evans and James Williams analyse the General Election results in Wales with newly-elected Labour MP Kanishka Narayan, returning Plaid Cymru MP Ben Lake and defeated Conservative MP Fay Jones. Ruth Mosalski, WalesOnline's political editor, is also on hand to discuss the fall-out from former minister Hannah Blythyn's personal statement to the Senedd - her first comments since she was sacked by the First Minister Vaughan Gething

07-11
34:01

A First Rough Draught of History

Felicity Evans and James Williams offer their snap analysis of the General Election results in Wales

07-05
20:03

The Final Furlong

With the finishing line in sight, Felicity Evans and James Williams are joined by BBC Wales political editor Gareth Lewis, BBC Scotland's Phil Sim, Sky News' Darren McCaffrey and Dr Jac Larner of Cardiff University's Wales Governance Centre to look back at the General Election campaign so far and pick out the key battlegrounds and trends to watch out for once the results start to come in on election night.

07-02
39:08

Taxing Issues

Felicity Evans and James Williams are joined by Guto Ifan from Cardiff University's Wales Fiscal Analysis programme to dig into what the Labour and Conservative manifesto commitments on tax and spending might mean for Wales in terms of funding and public services. Plus BBC Wales health correspondent Owain Clarke reflects on the role the NHS in Wales has played in the General Election campaign.

06-27
43:32

Up for Debate

With just two weeks to go until polling day, Felicity Evans and Nick Servini are joined by James Griffiths of the British Election Study and BBC Wales Westminster correspondent Shelley Phelps to examine the prospects of the Liberal Democrat and Reform parties in Wales in the General Election. Plus, live TV election debates can make or break a candidate or party. On the eve of the BBC Wales Election Debate, presenter Bethan Rhys Roberts takes a break from preparing to host five party representatives and a 100-strong audience to reveal what goes on behind the scenes.

06-20
44:48

Manifold Manifestos

As a week of manifesto launches draws to a close, Felicity Evans and James Williams are joined by political pundits Lauren McEvatt, Matthew Hexter and Nerys Evans to pick over the different party offerings - and what they mean for Wales

06-13
33:52

Proceeding with No Confidence

Felicity Evans and James Williams are joined by BBC Wales political editor Gareth Lewis to discuss where the vote of no confidence in the First Minister leaves Vaughan Gething. Polling expert Dr Jac Larner helps crunch the FM's latest numbers and also puts the plethora of recent general election opinion polls in context

06-06
45:17

That's a Wrap on Week One

It's been a week since the July 4th General Election was called. Fliss and James mop up the details of campaign trails with Political Editor Gareth Lewis in Monmouth following a visit from Keir Starmer. They also catch up with Political Correspondent Cemlyn Davies following Plaid Cymru's campaign launch in Bangor. Also joining them is the Associate Director for the Institute for Fiscal Studies David Phillips who discusses the Shared Prosperity Fund and party policies on taxes and spending.

05-30
45:05

"And they're off..."

Following the surprise announcement of a General Election on July 4, James Williams is joined by BBC Wales Westminster reporters Catrin Haf Jones and Shelley Phelps to map out the contours of the campaign that lies ahead.

05-23
22:47

In the Firing Line

Felicity Evans and James Williams are joined by colleague Cemlyn Davies to discuss the fall-out from Vaughan Gething's sacking of one of his ministerial team for leaking to the media - an allegation the former minister for social partnership Hannah Blythyn denies. Luke Young of Citizens Advice Cymru laments the decision to delay council tax reforms to 2028. And MSs Jane Dodds and Janet Finch-Saunders make the case for their pets - Wanda and Alfie - to be crowned Senedd Dog of the Year.

05-16
41:58

Presiding Presence

At the end of a week that saw both the 25th anniversary of the first elections to Cardiff Bay and legislation passed to reform the Senedd, James Williams and Felicity Evans join the Presiding Officer Elin Jones MS in the Siambr to reflect on the devolution journey to date and what the future holds - for both her and the institution.

05-11
44:58

Recommend Channels