18/05/2025

Labour leader and Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan joins us from Labour conference in Llandudno. Journalist Chloe Chaplin dissects Labour's turmoil on the welfare bill. Philosopher Dr Huw Williams from Cardiff University tells us why more thoughtful subjects like his are still important. After a year in the job, Ann Davies talks about the highs and the lows of being a brand new MP. Andrew Monaghan is with us to review his book, Blitzkrieg and the Russian Art of War.Vale of Glamorgan conservative councillor Rhys Thomas and author and historian Norena Shopland review the papers.

After the US bombs nuclear facilities in Iran, Israeli political commentator Gideon Levy and Chair of the Ezri Centre for Iran and Gulf states research Dr Efrat Sopher, puts Trump's intervention into context. Author and historian Diana Preston explains Roosevelt's vision as the UN celebrates 80 years of its existence. Welsh Local Government Association and Rhondda Cynon Taf Council leader, Andrew Morgan and Dr Marlene Davies, expert in local government finance and Associate of the University of South Wales discuss a new partnership agreement between the Welsh government and local authorities. Timothy Cutts celebrates having two unique copies of the 1539 Great Bible at the National Library in Aberystwyth.Bethan Darwin and William Powell review the papers.

Guests include First Minister Eluned Morgan; Adam Price MS, Chatham House director Bronwen Maddox; Prof Elin Haf Gruffydd Jones and Judith Mackrell. The paper reviewers are Baroness Ilora Finlay and Plaid Cymru councillor Steve Skivens.

Vaughan Roderick talks to Plaid Cymru MP Ben Lake about rail funding, discusses the Spending Review with Baroness Debbie Wilcox and the Institute of Directors' Richard Selby and reflects on 50 years of Parliament on the radio with former Deputy Speaker Nigel Evans. Plus what does the Hamilton by-election mean for Scotland's parties, and Dai Havard discusses what Merthyr's radical political past tells us about its future.

Vaughan Roderick with political news, discussions and analysis, plus a review of the Sunday papers.

Guests include Nia Griffith MP; musician Peredur ap Gwynedd; Middle East historian Diana Darke and Middle East analyst Dr Laura James; US political watcher Spencer McKinney; author Cormac Moore. Paper reviews: Bethan Sayed and Andrew White.

Vaughan Roderick with political news, discussions and analysis, plus a review of the Sunday papers.

Julie Morgan MS, Lord Wigley and Anthony Pickles dissect the latest polling with a year to go until the Senedd elections. Ian Gerrard, head of Ysgol Aberconwy discusses the use of smartphones in schools and their effect on behaviour. NUS Wales president Deio Owen talks about the possible plan to allow free movement of students across Europe and Dr Anne Harrington from Cardiff University reminds us that the second world war continued in the pacific after VE day, ending only with atomic warfare. Journalist Abbie Wightwick and conservative group leader at Monmouthshire council, Richard John review the papers.

Professor Sir John Curtice takes us through the data on the closest by-election since the second world war and local elections in England. Niki Savva joins us from Canberra with the latest on the Australian general election. Neha Mukherjee explains why the US wants the deal on Ukrainian minerals so much. Professor Richard Wyn Jones looks ahead to the Senedd 2026 election, and Councillor Calum Davies tells us why he thinks the Conservatives should embrace getting rid of the Senedd.Sandra Loy from Cardiff Journalism School and Alex Barros-Curtis MP review the papers.

Will the peace talks lead to lasting peace in Ukraine? Journalist Irina Matviyishyn will give us the latest from Ukraine. Jose Peralta from Hybu Cig Cymru is with us to defend HCCs posts about agricultural emissions and Rory Francis from the Snowdonia Society explains why it's important to be scientific about climate change. After an unannounced inspection of Parc Prison found that drugs are widely available there, Vanessa Frake-Harris tells us how she cut down on drug use at Wormwood Scrubs during her time there as governor. And following the Pope's funeral, Papal knight Lord Don Touhig and practising Roman Catholic Delyth Jewell MS mourn his passing.Jess Blair from the Electoral Reform Society and Plaid Cymru group leader on Vale of Glamorgan council review the papers.