If this is campaigning in poetry, what will the prose look like?
Welcome to this month's Hiraeth Review, our latest comment and favourite content from the last month that we think will add to, or improve, understanding of matters local, national, union-wide, or international. We hope you enjoy!
And so, after what has seemed an eternity of speculation and brinkmanship, the UK-wide general election is upon us. With the overall result in so little doubt it is the undercard stories that provide the most interesting analysis. Why are UK Labour and Welsh Labour singing from different hymn sheets in relation to devolution? What will be the scale of the Conservative defeat? How deeply will the revival of the Faragists impact results? Can the SNP cling on to a majority of seats in Scotland? And will Rhun ap Iorwerth’s consistently strong media appearances make any difference at all to Plaid Cymru’s result on July 4th?
While we have enjoyed some speculation about this already on the pod with the Hiraeth team and friend of the pod Prof. Danny Blanchflower, we’ve also decided to take a look at some of the real-world issues which need political leadership and strong policy delivery to address - Cancer treatment and what can be done to support paid and, crucially, unpaid carers in society.
For all the high talk of the campaigns (poetry would be overstating it), what Wales and the rest of the British union needs right now is good government. So, from the Hiraeth Pod team to every parliamentary campaign out there, if you are lucky enough to be elected please remember the promises you’ve made to your electorate, do your best to uphold high standards in public life, and be honest with yourself and those around you. With that, best of luck for your campaign.
And our recommended content from elsewhere...
How the Labour-Plaid deal fell apart and why it matters
In this well-sourced read from Ruth Mosalski at WalesOnline, she details the arc of one of the most peculiar/innovative (delete as appropriate) models of government deal making with other parties to be seen in any British parliament to date. Neither beast nor fowl, it gave Labour a clear path to pass budgets and take credit for Plaid Cymru’s popular policies, while for Plaid it provided some government experience and the golden policy win of Senedd expansion but at the cost of scrutiny.
With rumours having swirled since the election of Rhun ap Iorwerth as leader, the tarnished victory of Vaughan Gething appears to have provided the perfect opportunity to take the moral high ground and bank wins. But it suits the Prif Weinidog too:
“The First Minister doesn't want school term reform nor does he want council tax reform. So both have been or are expected to be shelved to the detriment of relations with the people in his own party who had championed them. Both were headline policies and personal projects of his predecessor Drakeford. Rather than pick policies to unite his group he has exerted his muscle and pushed, or is pushing, those further off the statute books.”
Vaughan Gething’s leadership crisis is a disaster – for Wales, for Labour and maybe even for devolution
Richard Wyn Jones of the Wales Governance Centre writes in the Guardian about Vaughan Gething, the First Minister of Wales, facing a no-confidence vote just 78 days into his leadership. The reason? During his campaign, it was revealed that he had accepted two £100,000 donations from a large environmental company convicted of polluting. Despite calls to return the money, Gething refused. The £200,000 donation constituted a significant portion of his campaign funds and became one of the largest single donations in Welsh political history.
The scandal revolved around pollution, corruption, and sleaze, leaving Gething’s leadership in turmoil1. Trouble began in 2013 when two companies owned by the same businessman illegally stored 19,000 tonnes of rubbish in the picturesque Gwent Levels area, a site of special scientific interest full of rare species and wetland birds1. The scandal has raised questions about political ethics and accountability.
“What has devolution delivered for Wales?” by Professor Steve Martin
After a shaky start, Wales’ devolved institutions have steadily gained public support over the past 25 years. The Welsh Senedd recently voted to increase its size by more than 50%, allowing for 96 members instead of the current 60.
Advocates see this as an investment in democracy, reflecting strengthened law-making and tax-raising powers. However, opponents argue that the estimated £18 million annual cost could be better used for healthcare and education. Despite these debates, the Senedd has demonstrated its ability to get things done and implement innovative policies. Wales has led the way in areas such as charging for single-use plastic bags, presumed consent for organ donation, and creating a Commissioner for future generations. With growing support and policy achievements, devolution in Wales appears to be on a positive trajectory.
Both feted and gilded, Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak are two sides of the same rotten politics - Aditya Chakrabortty
In the lead-up to the general election, both Keir Starmer (Labour leader) and Rishi Sunak (Conservative) are attempting to connect with voters. Starmer, beset by policy U-turns, has been using his personal history to soften his robotic tone. Meanwhile, Sunak, alternately petulant and arrogant, struggles to appear comfortable talking to the public and the press.
Both leaders are perceived as technocrats, and their blandness mirrors the uninspiring output of their respective parties. Welcome to the election for management consultants, where charisma and principles take a backseat to good suits and focus-group-approved slogans.
Are British politicians at breaking point?
In the digital age, politicians face intense public scrutiny, enduring abuse, disdain, and direct threats. This relentless pressure is taking a toll on their mental health. Broken politicians lead to dysfunctional politics, which affects everyone. Public perceptions of politicians have grown increasingly cynical and toxic due to scandals.
Jennifer Nadel, Co-Founder of Compassion in Politics, investigates the mental health crisis among MPs. Shocking testimonies reveal the toll: one former government minister describes feeling “broken,” and a young MP admits attempting suicide. The question arises: Does this crisis impair MPs’ ability to govern? As personal stories mount, Radio 4 seeks solutions.
The Triumph of the Placeless” - Prof Calvin Jones
"Triumph of the Placeless" talks about how powerful, mobile and choosy people, firms and institutions exploit embedded places and communities. and reminds that the political giant Boris Johnson took his first tentative steps towards PM as a candidate in Clwyd South.
Although three centuries of industrialization and growth have led to unimaginably better lives for most people, economic and health outcomes differ widely across places, both between and within polities. The concept of “placeless” agents plays a crucial role in shaping these disparities. Placeless agents include firms, individuals, and institutions that rely on types of places rather than specific locations for their well-being, identity, and profits. Their mobility and lack of embeddedness lead to narrow, self-interested interactions with specific places, potentially affecting the health and viability of those places. The article explores economic, socio-cultural, and civic placelessness and reflects on how the power of the placeless influences local responses to critical challenges.
Expert opinion on eliminating profit from the care of children looked after
The Welsh Government has proposed legislation to eliminate private profit from the provision of children’s residential and foster care. The aim is to ensure that public funds invested in children’s social care are used to deliver better experiences and outcomes for children and young people, supporting service development and professional staff growth. The proposal also addresses ethical concerns related to for-profit provision, based on feedback from children and young people who have been cared for by for-profit organizations.
To gather expert opinions on these policy proposals, the Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) conducted interviews with a range of experts, including representatives from academia and the third sector. The consensus among interviewees was that the current system is dysfunctional, impacting the sufficiency and quality of care provision and outcomes for children and young people. However, opinions diverged on the role of profit: some saw it as a symptom of dysfunction, while others considered it a cause. There was also debate about whether eliminating all profit is necessary for stability and sustainability in care provision. Most interviewees agreed that eliminating profit alone won’t fully address the current issues; it must be part of a broader transformation agenda. Investment in the sector is crucial to address existing challenges.
UK Debt Hangover Ties Next Government’s Hands, Whoever Wins
The upcoming UK general election on July 4th faces a significant challenge: a massive debt hangover. Regardless of which political party wins, the burden of debt severely limits their options. Here’s why:
Crisis Spending: Over the past four years, the UK government engaged in crisis spending. Initially, it was to rescue jobs and businesses during the Covid outbreak, and later to help families cope with the cost-of-living shock after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
High Debt Levels: The national debt now stands at levels last seen in the early 1960s. Servicing this debt in a world of high interest rates costs an extra £60 billion ($76 billion) annually—equivalent to the entire defense budget.
Tax Constraints: Taxes are already at a postwar high, making it challenging to raise additional revenue. Both the Labour Party and the Conservatives face this dilemma.
Economic Inheritance: The incoming government will inherit the worst economic situation since World War II. Public services urgently need funding for patient backlogs, school repairs, prison systems, and infrastructure.
Growth as a Solution: Both parties hope that economic growth will rescue them, but relying solely on growth is risky.
In summary, the next UK government faces a daunting fiscal challenge, and there are no easy solutions.
Case study: joining up skills and health support in Wales
The concept of “placeless” agents plays a crucial role in shaping economic and health outcomes across different locations. These agents—such as firms, individuals, and institutions—rely on types of places rather than specific locations for their well-being, identity, and profits. Their mobility and lack of embeddedness lead to narrow, self-interested interactions with specific places, potentially affecting the health and viability of those places.
The article explores economic, socio-cultural, and civic placelessness and reflects on how the power of the placeless influences local responses to critical challenges. In essence, understanding the impact of placeless agents is essential for addressing disparities and fostering sustainable development.
General election 2024 manifestos: what the main parties stand for
As the United Kingdom gears up for the 2024 general election, major political parties have unveiled their manifestos, outlining their promises and policy priorities. From healthcare to education, border security to renewable energy, each party presents its vision for the nation.
Labour Party:
NHS: Pledges to cut waiting times by delivering 40,000 more appointments each week, funded by cracking down on tax avoidance.
Border Security Command: Plans to create a new unit to tackle criminal boat gangs.
Renewable Energy: Commits £8.3 billion over five years to invest in renewable energy projects through a publicly owned company called Great British Energy.
Education: Aims to recruit 6,500 teachers in key subjects and open 3,000 nurseries.
Votes for 16- and 17-year-olds: Seeks to increase youth engagement in democracy.
Conservative Party:
National Insurance (NI) Abolition: Proposes to abolish NI for the self-employed.
Liberal Democrats:
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.
