New government, new faces, same old problems
As the Senedd returns from Easter there are some new faces in the Welsh Government, but many of the old challenges have remained the same. In our recent live pod we discussed a few of these including Wales’s ever growing waiting lists, the increasing disparity between educational attainment in Wales and the rest of the UK and the anger in rural Wales about the sustainable farming scheme. But what else is of concern in the Welsh policy landscape? Well, where to start? Perhaps the worrying financial situation facing Welsh universities? The worrying financial situation facing the Welsh finances? The worrying financial situation facing Welsh households? You get the picture.
This new Senedd term will provide an opportunity to the new Welsh Government to set their stall out early on how to tackle these huge challenges, but worryingly, all the noises so far from the new Government seem determined rather to tackle the poor PR of the previous administration. It seems inevitable we will now have a review on the roads review, a review on the review of the 20mph zone guidance and a review on the sustainable farming scheme, even though the consultation ended only recently in March.
As we said at the end of our live podcast, whatever your own personal political persuasion, we should all wish the new government well. We all need them to succeed. But it is also imperative upon us to call them into action. Where mistakes have been made most will be happy to see change, but Wales is tired of continuous reviews, reports and other varieties of shelf filler. We are tired of government inaction by paper cuts. Vaughan would do well to remember his slogan from his previous unsuccessful leadership campaign “Change takes courage”. We need that courage now.
So here we present ten interesting stories, podcasts, reports, and videos that we think are worth your time this month. As always, we try to present
Sharing Power, Spreading Wealth: Towards an Equitable Energy Transition for Wales
The Institute of Welsh Affairs (IWA) writes about its commitment to forging a green, fair, and prosperous economy for Wales. In this pursuit, they grapple with two critical imperatives: decarbonizing the Welsh economy and ensuring an equitable transition to net zero.Their latest report, “Sharing Power, Spreading Wealth,” delves into initiatives that can amplify economic benefits within Welsh communities arising from the commercial renewables sector.
The Common Weal: Policy Podcats - Scotland's Land Reform Bill
Dr Craig Dalzell talks to Andy Wightman about his updated report on land ownership in Scotland and the Scottish Government's new Land Reform Bill. Land ownership and reform in Wales being a topic we will return to in future pods.
Has the Co-operation Agreement Been a Success for Plaid Cymru?
Plaid Cymru’s unique co-operation agreement with the Welsh Labour Government, set to expire in December, has sparked debate. While not a coalition, this three-year pact aims to deliver a shared program of work across 46 policy areas. It focuses on tangible changes benefiting Welsh citizens, such as extending free school meals, protecting Welsh place names, and promoting LGBTQ+ friendliness. Despite criticism from the Welsh Conservatives, legal advice confirms it is not a coalition.
Ian Hislop on Boris Johnson, Piers Morgan and political satire in the age of the absurd
Britain's best satirist takes aim at the UK Government, the UK media yet sadly stops short of taking apart the UK itself. Just over a half an hour long, listen in if you look at the state of Westminster and don't know whether to laugh or cry.
Pursuing Parity: Examining Gender Quotas Across Electoral Systems
In the quest for gender equality in politics, the Electoral Reform Society (ERS) delves into the impact of gender quotas across different electoral systems. Historically, the UK’s political landscape has been male-dominated, but progress has been made. As of February 2024, 35% of MPs are women. Globally, only 6 parliaments achieve gender parity, while others struggle. The report analyzes quota mechanisms, their benefits, and drawbacks. It highlights the 8-point difference in gender representation between countries with and without quotas.
The ERS aims to advance gender parity through informed policy choices and effective implementation
Row as Tory Website urges Parry members to apply for S4C chair role
Conservative website ConservativeHome has been encouraging its readers to apply to be on the boards of public bodies to ensure more conservative voices are represented. Well we also encourage our readers to do the same. There can never be enough Welsh politics nerds involved in Welsh public life. Unless that has been our problem all along?
Swansea University announces redundancies
As mentioned in the introduction, the state of the finances for Welsh Universities is very poor. Such dire straits have not been seen since Mark Knopfler wrote the intro to money for nothing. But enough puns about the value of university qualifications in the 21st century. This recent announcement from Swansea University sees over 200 staff leaving voluntarily, worrying news for the sector. How long will it be before more job losses are announced at other Welsh Universities struggling to come to terms with frozen fees and changes to the rules relating to the dependents of international students.
The Short- and Medium-Term Impacts of Sure Start on Educational Outcomes
The Sure Start program, introduced in 1999 in England, aimed to provide comprehensive support to families with children under 5. By creating local “one-stop shops,” it offered services such as health care, parenting support, early learning, and childcare. Over time, Sure Start evolved from targeting disadvantaged areas to becoming a universal program. However, funding reductions led to center closures. Recent research evaluates the program’s impact on educational outcomes. Access to Sure Start centers between ages 0 and 5 significantly benefits academic achievement and special educational needs, particularly for disadvantaged children. Lessons from Sure Start can inform future family support initiatives
The Fantasy of Capitalism and the Pursuit of Happiness
In this thought-provoking article by Carl Cederström, the intersection of capitalism and our quest for happiness is dissected. Cederström argues that modern consumer culture perpetuates the illusion that material possessions and financial success lead to contentment. However, this pursuit often leaves us unfulfilled and perpetually yearning for more. The relentless pursuit of happiness becomes a paradox: the more we chase it, the more elusive it becomes. Cederström challenges us to question this capitalist-driven narrative and explore alternative paths to genuine well-being. A compelling read that invites introspection and reevaluation of our cultural norms.
Improving the Sustainable Farming Scheme for People, Nature, and Climate
In a pivotal consultation, the Welsh Government seeks to shape the future of the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) in Wales. Amid farmer protests and discussions on agricultural pollution and bovine TB, the SFS aims to strike a balance: supporting food production, safeguarding the environment, and addressing climate and nature emergencies. The SFS doesn’t mandate farmers to allocate 20% of their land to trees and nature, as some media portray. Instead, it emphasizes holistic support, flexible agroforestry, and sustainable practices. Lessons from the past, such as the disconnect between Welsh food production and local consumption, inform this forward-looking scheme.
And that's it from this edition of our monthly newsletter. Please let us know what you think and do share the word about the podcast, the newsletter, and the Patreon.
