For Wales, See Wales
For Wales, See Wales is a podcast helping you better understand the most wonderful country on earth - Wales.Each week we shine a light on the utterly bizarre (and often hilarious) world of Welsh politics and issues. So many people care deeply about Cymru but very little attention is given to it by the wider UK media. This podcast aims to help fill this gap.Guardian columnist Will Hayward along with comedians Mel Owen and Robin Morgan are here to pick apart the political scene in Wales with a combination of journalistic insight and satirical sideswipes. For Wales, See Wa...
100th episode big question blow out! Is there a space for a new party in Wales?
Oh good lord we have had 100 episodes of this podcast! How the hell has that happened?
To celebrate our centenary Mel, Will and Robin take listeners' questions across on a whole heap of topics from the best podcast guests to is there a space for a new party in politics.
Thanks to everyone who has come along for the ride over the last two years. We couldn’t do this without you. Looking forward to many more episodes in your company.
About FWSW
100 years ago if you had picked up the Enc...
What does Burnham mean for Wales?
This week the trio dive into the bizarre reality where Nigel Farage could lose to a bin. Could it happen? And most importantly, what would happen in Wales.
They also explore what an Andy Burnham premiership would look like and why he is already off to a rocky start when it comes to devolution.
The most important revelation is whether Frankee and Eamon had the better tune (if you know, you know).
About FWSW
100 years ago if you had picked up the Encyclopaedia Britannica and looked up “Wales” you would have seen...
How do we fix the NHS in Wales?
This week, the For Wales See Wales team are joined by Dr Matt Morgan, Consultant in Intensive Care Medicine and Honorary Professor for the Public Understanding of Medicine at Cardiff University.
Matt discusses what life within the Welsh NHS is really like. Will, Mel and Robin quiz him on whether change can effectively be applied, and what the new government in The Senedd should be prioritising.
As the Snacks-for-Guests tradition continues, it turns out an apple a day really does keep the doctor away…
About FWSW
100 years ago if you had pi...
Stop pretending the weather is “normal”!
Will is feeling too hot and “struggles” (apparently). This week the trio look at the recent heat wave in Wales and how certain politicians are acting like nothing is happening.
They also ask the question why Reform are opposed to climate action as well as how much of their party's funding comes from fossil fuels…
They also look more at what Prime Minister Burnham is going to mean for Wales.
About FWSW
100 years ago if you had picked up the Encyclopaedia Britannica and looked up “Wales” you would have seen four words - ‘Fo...
Emergency Starmer resignation pod with Mark Drakeford
Keir Starmer has announced he is stepping down as Prime Minister and Andy Burnham seems odds on to replace him. Robin, Mel and Will get together with special guest former First Minister Mark Drakeford to chew the fat on what has just happened and what it means for Wales.
Mark Drakeford breaks down what he would expect from a Burnham UK Government as well as why he thinks things went wrong for Starmer.
The group also discussed whether MSs were right to walk out of the Senedd chamber after a controversial Reform speech?
Fo...
Who is voting Reform?
In this week’s episode the For Wales See Wales trio get their teeth into even more data. Will, Mel and Robin compare which demographics voted for Reform in the Senedd Elections compared to the last General Election.
In light of the Makerfield by-election, the trio ask ‘who should be a politician?’, and ponder the all-important question: Does driving a van make you a misogynist?
About FWSW
100 years ago if you had picked up the Encyclopaedia Britannica and looked up “Wales” you would have seen four words - ‘For Wales, see England.’
This implied...
How will Welsh Labour rebuild?
In this week’s episode of For Wales See Wales, Will, Mel and Robin dive into some juicy data on which demographic of voters turned their backs on Welsh Labour during the 2026 Senedd Elections. Spoiler alert: almost all of them!
The trio then discuss Will’s interview with Welsh Labour’s interim leader, Ken Skates, and question whether his plan for rebuilding the party will save them by the time the next elections roll around.
About FWSW
100 years ago if you had picked up the Encyclopaedia Britannica and looked up “Wales” you would have seen...
Why would you talk like that about your country?
This week the gang are joined by Dr Louis Bromfield of Swansea University to look at whether anyone could have predicted what happened in the Welsh election and to discuss their polling project: Horse Race Politics
They then turn their attention to a Reform member of the Senedd, who said that people in Wales weren’t good at running things efficiently!
About FWSW
100 years ago if you had picked up the Encyclopaedia Britannica and looked up “Wales” you would have seen four words - ‘For Wales, see England.’
This implied that Wales was n...
Welsh Senedd Election Review Live Show!
The trio are out in the wild with nearly 400 (yes 400) listeners at the Cardiff Glee Club to unpack everything from the recent Welsh election.
They ask the big questions. What would have happened if Reform had won? Is this the best result for Plaid? Will Rock and Slaughter really come together to fight crime?
Mel, Robin and Will then put their credibility on the line to open their pre-election predictions in front of a live audience. What could go wrong?
About FWSW
100 years ago if you had picked up t...
What should Wales be demanding from Westminster?
In this week’s episode, the For Wales See Wales trio discuss Rhun ap Iorweth’s first discussion as First Minister with the Prime Minister. Will, Mel and Robin discuss what a nationalist government can demand from Westminster, and whether prioritising independence should be raised straight off the bat.
With Mark Drakeford’s admission that he thinks the Prime Minister should step down, the team ponder what the near future holds for Kier Starmer and Andy Burnham.
About FWSW
100 years ago if you had picked up the Encyclopaedia Britannica and looked up “Wales” you would...
Plaid Cymru are in charge of Wales with Reform as the opposition - what happens now?
As the dust settles on a historic night in Welsh politics Robin, Mel and Will break down what happens next.
They look at how Plaid plans to govern. Ask whether Reform will be a good opposition and predict what direction Labour are heading.
In a world first Robin also finds a talking turtle...
About FWSW
100 years ago if you had picked up the Encyclopaedia Britannica and looked up “Wales” you would have seen four words - ‘For Wales, see England.’
This implied that Wales was no different to England. Not worthy...
Welsh Senedd Election Reaction Show!
The day is here. The votes are counted. Eluned is gone. The Rhunicorn has entered the stable.
Mel, Will and Robin look back at the day that Welsh politics changed. Why did Labour lose? What happened to the Greens? Did the Tories have a good night? Will Reform show up?
Robin is recording this from a cruise ship in Greece (working not clubbing) so the audio is a little patchy. But we didn’t want you to miss out on such a seismic day!
About FWSW
100 years ago if you had pic...
Senedd election preview
With mere hours to go until the Senedd’s most important election yet, the For Wales See Wales trio tackle the contentious issue of tactical voting.
Will, Mel and Robin look at which areas are most likely to be strongholds for the bigger parties, whilst also throwing down some predictions of their own.
The next episode will be dropping on Friday evening after the majority of the results have been announced. Keep your eyes and ears peeled!
In the meantime, some tickets are still left for our LIVE show at The Glee Club in...
Could Wales be independent?
This week the gang does a deep dive into Welsh independence.
With so much of day to day politics being nasty and personal they decided to have a friendly conversation about an issue that is being talked about a lot in this election campaign.
Could Wales go it alone? How would a referendum work? What would political parties look like in an indy Wales?
The trio took audience questions to explore a fascinating subject.
We will be back next week for our election coverage?!
In the meantime, some tickets are...
Would you rather vote for Reform or w***k with a razor?
In this episode, the For Wales See Wales trio take a whistle stop tour of the week’s Welsh political stories. They cover retorts to Reform canvassers, why Eluned Morgan was the only Welsh leader not on Question Time, ex Plaid and Tory members restanding despite suspensions, candidates not living in their prospective constituencies, what on Earth is actually going on with Restore, and the lack of costings in the Lib Dem manifesto…phew! Strap in, the team have a lot to cover.
Some tickets still left to see us at the Glee Club in Cardiff on Satu...
What is Plaid Cymru’s plan for Wales?
This week the gang tackled the big questions around Welsh politics (as well as wondering if a snake could eat a hippo?).
Will has been at the Plaid Cymru manifesto launch and there is a lot to discuss. Plaid are the party most likely to form the next Welsh Government which means it’s important to digest (like a snake eating a hippo) what their plans are.
With just three weeks to go until the people of Wales make their vote the election is feeling very real.
Some tickets still left to see us a...
Why do Reform candidates keep quitting?
The pod is back in the studio following their time in the Senedd!
This week the trio looked at some of Reform’s new candidates for Wales and it is a rich tapestry. Nazi salutes, racist posts and toys been thrown out of prams left, right and centre (though mainly right).
They also take a deep dive into the new polling for Wales to see what the “average” supporter for each party is like. There is also some very uplifting chat about climate change (for a change).
Also!! Come along and see us at the...
Pod from the Senedd (Part Two)
This is part two of a special episode recorded inside the Welsh Parliament on the last day of this Senedd term.
We chatted to politicians from across the political spectrum; some of whom were leaving to begin campaigning and others who were having an emotional last day of term.
Because so many Senedd Members joined us we have split this episode into two parts - check out part one if you've not done so already.
Also!! Come along and see us at the Glee Club in Cardiff on Saturday 23rd May for a pos...
Pod from the Senedd (Part one)
This week the pod was recorded from inside the Welsh Parliament on the last day of this Senedd term.
Just hours before we started recording some bombshell polling dropped that showed Plaid in the lead with Reform snapping at their heels.
We chatted to politicians from across the political spectrum to hear all about their plans, history of typhoid and what it is like when their colleagues defect.
Because so many Senedd Members joined us we have split this episode into two parts with part two coming out over the Easter weekend.
...
Don't say Welsh is a "foreign language"!
Wow there is a lot of talk about this episode. Robin, Mel and Will start by looking at whether Your Party will be standing in the Senedd election.
They then settle to discuss THAT VIDEO where Nigel Farage mocks the Welsh language for £100. Is it a big deal? We break it down.
Finally we tackle the big question raised inside the Sendd - what is a gender neutral tree?
Next week we will be bringing you our show from inside the Senedd where we will discuss the explosive new polling.
Also!! Co...
Leaky Labour
In this week’s episode, the For Wales See Wales trio discuss whether Welsh Labour have meticulously planned how they will budget for key, big ticket developments, or whether they’ll just see how it goes. (Spoiler alert: the plan is a bit lacking).
Will, Robin and Mel then discuss Keir Starmer’s leaked note which suggests Number 10 don’t exactly respect devolution as much as they could.
Also!! Another LIVE show is coming. Come along and see us at the Glee Club in Cardiff on Saturday 23rd May for a post-election round up! Tickets and info...
Launch the Manifestos!
A busy week; you wait for one manifesto launch and then three come along at once.
Deserted by Mel, the plucky boys dig into Labour's manifesto offerings. Will then wonders aloud why he was denied entry to the Reform campaign launch. Turns out, he could have just read it all in the Welsh Conservative Manifesto anyway!
Also!! Another LIVE show is coming. Come along and see us at the Glee Club in Cardiff on Saturday 23rd May for a post-election round up! Tickets and info here...
https://www.glee.co.uk/performer/for-wales-see-wales...
International Women's Day
In this special International Women’s Day episode, Mel sits down with campaigners and advocates Hanan Issa and Athika Ahmed to discuss the experience of being a woman in a public role in Wales, the realities of online abuse, and what Tommy Robinson may be looking for on Tinder.
About FWSW
100 years ago if you had picked up the Encyclopaedia Britannica and looked up “Wales” you would have seen four words - ‘For Wales, see England.’
This implied that Wales was no different to England. Not worthy of its own description. Second fiddle. Frankly, it...
Plaid Cymru’s plan for government, LIVE in Aberystwyth
This week the pod is on the road with a live show at the wonderful Arad Goch, Aberystwyth.
We discuss the Plaid Cymru conference, the Rhunicorn’s speech and why it is going to be SUPER hard for whoever wins the Welsh election.
The great thing about doing the pod live is we get to say things we can’t in a normal show. The bad thing is we can’t put it all in the edit! This pod is a (very) shortened version of our Aber show.
Also!! Another LIVE show is com...
What word would you use to describe Reform?
This week the gang gets lost in a world of word clouds. With the Senedd election only nine weeks away the look at pooling which suggests how voters in Wales actually feel about some of the political parties.
(Spoiler alert) the biggest word for Reform was “racist” which begs the question of why people think this and whether it actually hurts Nigel Farage’s party's ability to win?
And finally they talk about the political hero we never knew we needed - Sir Oink-a-lot…
Also... a small number of tickets are still left for our...
Will Wales be anti-racist by 2030?
In this week's episode, the For Wales See Wales team look at the Welsh Government’s plan to make Wales an anti-racist nation by 2030 and ask whether we’re on track.
The trio look at how Reform's new leader in Wales, Dan Thomas, has a suprisingly progressive past, before asking whether Bangor University really should be defunded for refusing to host a Reform representative.
Also... a small number of tickets are still left for our next live show in Aberystwyth on St David’s Day. Get them while you can here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/f...
Can Wales thrive economically?
In this week’s episode, the team delve a little deeper into who the new leader of Reform in Wales, Dan Thomas, actually is and where he lives (definitely in Wales, as confirmed since we recorded this).
The trio also question whether newly defected Reform MS James Evans can really change his mind on Nigel Farage quite so quickly.
Will also deep dives on why the current economic system will not allow Wales to thrive without support.
Also... The For Wales, See Wales podcast is back on the road with a live show pla...
Emergency Episode: Reform Bombshells
A third episode from the For Wales See Wales team this week, as James Evans joins Reform and Dan Thomas is announced as their new leader. Will, Mel and Robin question the motivation behind James Evans’ sudden change of feelings about Reform, and ask: who actually is Dan Thomas?
Also... The For Wales, See Wales podcast is back on the road with a live show planned for Aberystwyth on St David’s Day. Get your tickets while you can here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/for-wales-see-wales-live-tickets-1982192318584?aff=oddtdtcreator
About FWSW
100 years ago if y...
Why can’t Reform and the Welsh Conservatives answer a simple question?
Following on from the Eluned Morgan interview the For Wales, See Wales gang discuss what the First Minister said. Is there really a digital revolution coming or did it in fact arrive two decades ago?
After dissecting their trip to the Senedd Will, Mel and Robin settle into talk about the plans of Reform and the Welsh Tories to scrap the 20mph limit. Turns out, there isn’t really a plan, just an angry vibe.
In the most exciting of news the For Wales, See Wales podcast is back on the road with a live sh...
The First Minister Eluned Morgan on the Pod!
This week Robin, Mel and Will welcome the First Minister of Wales Eluned Morgan.
Coming from the fifth floor of Ty Hywel at the Senedd the trio speak to Welsh Labour’s leader over many Haribos.
They discuss everything from her first experiences in politics to how she is trying to get Keir Starmer to give Wales what it so desperately needs. Mel reveals the first time she spoke to the FM while an exasperated Will tries to get to the bottom of what will actually be different if people vote Labour again.
In o...
Do Plaid Cymru have a plan?
In this week’s episode, the For Wales See Wales team discuss what Andy Burnham attempting to nab a Westminster seat could mean for Labour’s image across the UK. Will, Mel and Robin discuss how helpful Keir Starmer’s presence in Wales would actually be to Eluned Morgan in the run up to the Senedd Elections.
Will divulges details of his interview with Rhun Ap Iorweth. The FWSW trio ask, do Plaid Cymru have a plan for Wales or just banking on being the least worst option?
About FWSW
100 years ago if...
Sackings, Polls and Attempted Defections
What a week in Welsh politics. Tory MS James Evans is booted out of the Conservatives for apparently trying to join Reform and then... err... doesn't join Reform.
In this week's pod the gang discusses the polling from last week that shows Plaid and the Greens in the lead.
Then, in classic For Wales, See Wales style the second we stop recording there is a big announcement with Mr Evans getting the sack. So Robin, Mel and Will are then back for a mini virtual pod at the end of the episode to break down...
What’s Labour’s plan in Wales?
The pod is back in the brand spanking new HayMan Media studios.
This week the gang dive into Welsh Labour’s leaked Senedd election plan and ask the question - “really?!”.
They also watch Mike Hedges remain cool, calm and collected in the Welsh Parliament while Andrew RT Davies hides behind a pillar…
They finish with Mel furious that a political party has taken the good Mel Owen image and used it for their own benefit.
Bear in mind that this podcast was recorded before the mega poll came out earlier this week...
Why Wales can never fix its own problems
This episode was a lot of fun. The trio are back in 2026 and are answering some audience questions.
How do journalists decide who to vote for? Would any of them ever get into politics? Does the rest of Wales feel about Cardiff how people in Cardiff feel about London?
All of these are the delicious starter to the big meaty main course - how can Wales fix its own economic questions. The short answer - they can’t. The longer answer - it’s complicated.
Wales’ best known politics podcast is back for the bigge...
What will happen in Welsh politics in 2026?
Next year will be the biggest in Welsh politics since 1999. The Senedd election in May will shape the future of Cymru and the wider UK. The only option for our humble podcast is to gather round and make our best predictions for what is to come.
Robin, Mel and Will come together after eating their own weight in delicious Christmas treats to discuss what they think will happen over the next year.
Predictions include an unlikely bromance, a new Prime Minister, a new Welsh Tory leader and a big old Reform civil war.
We...
It’s Christmas!
After a jam-packed year for the Senedd and politics in Wales, Robin, Will and Mel celebrate Christmas in true For Wales See Wales style.
The gang get festive with a bit of gift sharing, some Nathan Gill inspired cocktails and a Welsh politics quiz!
About FWSW
100 years ago if you had picked up the Encyclopaedia Britannica and looked up “Wales” you would have seen four words - ‘For Wales, see England.’
This implied that Wales was no different to England. Not worthy of its own description. Second fiddle. Frankly, it implied that Wales...
Labour are in trouble
This week the gang look at a Labour MS being on their phone during a committee and him totally styling it out.
We also have Eluned Morgan doing an impression of a Welsh icon which makes Mel have the ick.
The trio then listen to the Rhunicorn and First Minister literally trading horses…
About FWSW
100 years ago if you had picked up the Encyclopaedia Britannica and looked up “Wales” you would have seen four words - ‘For Wales, see England.’
This implied that Wales was no different to England. Not worthy of...
First Minister of Scotland John Swinney on the pod!
This week the pod hosts Scotland’s First Minister. Speaking from a mobile studio at the British Irish Council Summit, John Swinney makes the wonderful confession that his wife is a big fan of For Wales, See Wales.
Sadly there was no Robin this week so Will and Mel sat down to chew the fat with the Scottish leader including asking “why does Scotland get a better deal than Cymru?”
Will asks Mr Swinney about his relationship with Plaid leader Rhun ap Iorwerth and whether any future alliance between the parties would extend to the Scots s...
“This is dog s**t”
We have a guest! The pod is joined by Professor Matthew Wall from Swansea University for a fascinating chat about Welsh politics and where we are going. We look at the new electoral system, Reform’s election strategy and why Welsh politics needs more posters. All over a lovely cold Guinness.
Plus we find out that Will is a “See You Next Tuesday” and explore some rather interesting characters inside Reform in Wales.
About FWSW
100 years ago if you had picked up the Encyclopaedia Britannica and looked up “Wales” you would have seen four words...
Reform’s Nathan Gill Off To Prison!
The gang return to discuss fallen comrade and former Reform leader in Wales Nathan Gill’s prison sentence as well as the Welsh Government’s targets on new homes (unrelated). Mel channels her inner Oprah Winfrey while Robin and Will analyse who would do better in prison.
About FWSW
100 years ago if you had picked up the Encyclopaedia Britannica and looked up “Wales” you would have seen four words - ‘For Wales, see England.’
This implied that Wales was no different to England. Not worthy of its own description. Second fiddle. Frankly, it implied that...
