Rail, war, education, online use and Japan-Wales 2025

After the second reading of the Railways Bill, David Chadwick MP tells us why he thinks Wales is being short-changed. Dr Jenny Mathers from Aberystwyth University's department of International Politics discusses the latest in the Ukraine-Russia war and the implications for the rest of the world. Wales Online's Abbie Wightwick explains what's going on with education funding in Wales. Emily van de Venter, expert in mental wellbeing talks about the good and the bad aspects of life online. And Lord Mostyn celebrates all things Japanese the end of the Wales and Japan year.Dafydd Trystan and Laura Emily Dunn review the papers.

Auditor General, Adrian Crompton illustrates how money is spent on public services in Wales, Baroness Kennedy explains why she thinks jury trials are important to our democracy, Ukrainian journalist Kateryna Malefieiova updates us on the war, Archbishop of Wales, Cherry Van joins us on the first Sunday of Advent and Jowdy Davey tells us how the Cornish language has gained more recognition.Cllr Anthony Hunt, leader of Torfaen Council and Rhian Elston, Director, Development Bank of Wales review the papers.

Boris Johnson's long-serving adviser, Guto Harri reacts to the Covid-19 inquiry findings. Former foreign office minister Dr Kim Howells talks about the dangers from Russia following the sentencing of former Reform leader in Wales, Nathan Gill for taking Russian bribes. The Institute for Government's Jill Rutter discusses the upcoming autumn budget, whilst Rebecca Morley from Friends of Friendless Churches explains why plans to lift the VAT exemption on building works on listed places of worship is a problem. Cardiff University's Dr Andrew Dowling looks back on Spanish dictator Generalissimo Francisco Franco's life and legacy 50 years after his death.Tim Hartley and Esyllt Sears review the papers.

Monmouthshire's MP Catherine Fooks describes the situation in Monmouth after Storm Claudia's devastation. Isabel Hardman decants the goings on at Westminster and who is briefing against whom. Former BBC governor, Merfyn Jones CBE mulls over the BBCs difficult week, former Conservative special adviser Lauren McEvatt discusses the pros and cons of abolishing Police and Crime Commissioners. Green Cymru CEO Stuart George tells us why the power grid in Wales needs to be upgraded and veteran journalist Martin Shipton remembers suspensions of Senedd past. Carole Burns and Sarah Rees review the papers.

Former governor of Wormwood Scrubs, Vanessa Frake-Harris responds to the prisons crisis. Reader Ed Poole explains why the Barnett formula is not as bad for Wales as once thought. Rob Parry from the Initiative for Nature Conservation Cymru illustrates the challenges ahead for new NRW chair Neil Sachdev. Dr Hannah Hughes is at COP 30 in Brazil and following Nancy Pelosi's announcement that she plans to retire from Congress, her former employee, Cai Wilshaw talks about her influence over US politics over four decades.Clare Hudson and Ellis Smith review the papers.

Guests include royal biographer Catherine Mayer; former SNP MP Ian Blackford; political historian Sam Blaxland; international law expert Dr Nada Ali, Dolgarrog Community Council Chair Jackie Ley and reader in physical geography Dr Hywel Griffiths. Reviewing the papers Jennifer Burke, Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport & Parks at Cardiff Council and Auriol Miller who's the Chief Executive of Cynon Taf Community Housing group.

Plaid Cymru's Leanne Wood, Professor John Curtice and Labour's Alun Davies MS analyse the Caerphilly by-election result. Ann Davies MP tells us how coal tips are still not safe, 59 years after the Aberfan disaster. And Lord Peter Hain talks about his new book, Liberation and Corruption: Why Freedom Movements Fail.Sam Bennett and Claire Vaughan review the papers.

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

The former Labour MP and Foreign and Commonwealth Office minister for the Middle East Dr Kim Howells discusses the chances of the on-going peace process in the Middle East delivering for both the Palestinian and Israeli people. Plaid Cymru's leader at Westminster, Liz Saville Roberts MP looks back at her party's conference - the last before next May's Senedd elections. Paris-based commentator Nabila Ramdani assesses the prospects of France's new PM - who is the same as the old one - bringing political stability to the Republic. And the the UK's Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, Eleanor Lyons looks back at 10 years of the Modern Slavery ActNeuroscientist Dr Emma Yhnell and Conservative Senedd candidate Adam Robinson review the papers.

Haaretz columnist Gideon Levy and physiotherapist Rachel Moses OBE discuss two years of conflict in Gaza. Children's Commissioner Rocio Cifuentes is asking all the parties to commit to five priorities to improve children's lives in Wales, Darren Millar MS is in Manchester for the Conservatives' UK Conference. Former head of the First Minister's office explains how important EU funding was to Wales and Professor Laura McAllister tells us why there's been such a rise in the number of podcasts on Welsh politics.Colegau Cymru's Rachel Cable and the Vale of Glamorgan's Council Leader Lis Burnett review the papers.