Richard Martin
@mimosacymru.bsky.social
Producer, Welsh Politics commentary, Welsh Politics Pod/Hiraeth/Yr Hen Iaith 🏆 Pods. Nerth gwlad ei gwybodaeth.
Cymro, Pontypriddian, Proxy Canadian & Æresdansker 🏴 🇨🇦 🇩🇰
(cyfrif personol/personal account)
Cymro, Pontypriddian, Proxy Canadian & Æresdansker 🏴 🇨🇦 🇩🇰
(cyfrif personol/personal account)
Pinned
Richard Martin
@mimosacymru.bsky.social
· Nov 17
Reposted by Richard Martin
Ein pennod diwetharaf nawr ar @ambobdim.bsky.social - Mae @jerryhunter.bsky.social a @richardwynjones.bsky.social yn trafod gwaith Ann Griffiths! 👇
www.ambobdim.cymru/profile-cont...
www.ambobdim.cymru/profile-cont...
Pennod 80 - Ann Griffiths (1776-1805) - Ambobdim
Tan yn ddiweddar, Ann Griffiths oedd yr unig fardd benywaidd a welid mewn canonau llenyddol Cymraeg. Nid yw’n syndod felly i Richard Wyn Jones ddweud ei fod yn lled gyfarwydd â hi wrth i ni ddechrau t...
www.ambobdim.cymru
February 8, 2026 at 8:45 PM
Ein pennod diwetharaf nawr ar @ambobdim.bsky.social - Mae @jerryhunter.bsky.social a @richardwynjones.bsky.social yn trafod gwaith Ann Griffiths! 👇
www.ambobdim.cymru/profile-cont...
www.ambobdim.cymru/profile-cont...
Reposted by Richard Martin
In our latest pod, @lauramcallister30.bsky.social Lauren, and Lee explore why the relationship between Welsh Labour and UK Labour is like a puppy and its master and why a Wales Office firing wouldn't matter... pod link below 👇 #Senedd26 #Wales #Cymru
February 8, 2026 at 8:32 PM
In our latest pod, @lauramcallister30.bsky.social Lauren, and Lee explore why the relationship between Welsh Labour and UK Labour is like a puppy and its master and why a Wales Office firing wouldn't matter... pod link below 👇 #Senedd26 #Wales #Cymru
Reposted by Richard Martin
More geographical confusion. Nigel Farage said Reform's new leader in Wales had "come back to the Valleys", so his children could grow up Welsh. Nation Cymru report he had moved from London to Bath in the west of England, about 50-60 miles from Islwyn, across the border
nation.cymru/news/the-new...
nation.cymru/news/the-new...
The new leader of Reform UK Wales lives in Bath, not Wales
Martin Shipton The newly appointed leader of Reform UK in Wales hasn’t moved back to his home town in the Valleys, but has bought a £1m house near Bath, we can reveal. Dan Thomas, the former Conservat...
nation.cymru
February 7, 2026 at 10:16 AM
More geographical confusion. Nigel Farage said Reform's new leader in Wales had "come back to the Valleys", so his children could grow up Welsh. Nation Cymru report he had moved from London to Bath in the west of England, about 50-60 miles from Islwyn, across the border
nation.cymru/news/the-new...
nation.cymru/news/the-new...
Reposted by Richard Martin
US government to fund Maga-aligned think-tanks and charities in Europe - www.ft.com/content/f869... via @FT
US government to fund Maga-aligned think-tanks and charities in Europe
State department grants to spread ‘American values’ are part of Washington’s 250th anniversary celebrations
www.ft.com
February 6, 2026 at 7:28 AM
US government to fund Maga-aligned think-tanks and charities in Europe - www.ft.com/content/f869... via @FT
Reposted by Richard Martin
This is, and I will be blunt here, enormously more important a political story than what some twerp of a Labour backbench MP may be whispering.
US government to fund Maga-aligned think-tanks and charities in Europe - www.ft.com/content/f869... via @FT
US government to fund Maga-aligned think-tanks and charities in Europe
State department grants to spread ‘American values’ are part of Washington’s 250th anniversary celebrations
www.ft.com
February 6, 2026 at 8:56 AM
This is, and I will be blunt here, enormously more important a political story than what some twerp of a Labour backbench MP may be whispering.
Reposted by Richard Martin
On Thursday 7 May, voters across Scotland, Wales and England head to the polls in a major set of local and devolved elections.
Follow our elections 2026 page for our analysis on why these elections matter www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/our-work/top...
Follow our elections 2026 page for our analysis on why these elections matter www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/our-work/top...
Local and devolved elections 2026 | Institute for Government
On Thursday 7 May, voters across Scotland, Wales and England head to the polls in a major set of local and devolved elections.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
February 5, 2026 at 4:30 PM
On Thursday 7 May, voters across Scotland, Wales and England head to the polls in a major set of local and devolved elections.
Follow our elections 2026 page for our analysis on why these elections matter www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/our-work/top...
Follow our elections 2026 page for our analysis on why these elections matter www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/our-work/top...
Reform UK yn cyhoeddi James Evans fel arweinydd Cymru newyddion.s4c.cymru/article/32757
Reform UK yn cyhoeddi James Evans fel arweinydd Cymru
Mae Reform UK wedi cyhoeddi mai’r cyn-AS Ceidwadol, James Evans, yw arweinydd y blaid yng Nghymru ar gyfer etholiadau’r Senedd eleni
newyddion.s4c.cymru
February 5, 2026 at 10:30 AM
Reform UK yn cyhoeddi James Evans fel arweinydd Cymru newyddion.s4c.cymru/article/32757
Reposted by Richard Martin
Breaking news: Kettle has strong thoughts about blackness of pot
Farage calls for EU to probe Mandelson’s time in Brussels ft.trib.al/eAGo2wa
Farage calls for EU to probe Mandelson’s time in Brussels
Reform UK leader claims former trade commissioner may have misused his position for personal gain
ft.trib.al
February 4, 2026 at 7:21 PM
Breaking news: Kettle has strong thoughts about blackness of pot
Reposted by Richard Martin
Voters in focus groups are contrasting Labour’s treatment of Burnham and Mandelson – that’s a dangerous comparison for Starmer. www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
The parable of Andy Burnham and Peter Mandelson
Voters are unimpressed by Keir Starmer’s contrasting treatment of two Labour politicians
www.newstatesman.com
February 4, 2026 at 10:52 AM
Voters in focus groups are contrasting Labour’s treatment of Burnham and Mandelson – that’s a dangerous comparison for Starmer. www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Reposted by Richard Martin
Saturday Night Live UK is out on the 21st March.
The players are announced: Celeste Dring, Hammed Animashaun, Larry Dean, George Fouracres, Jack Shep, Ayoade Bamgboye, Al Nash, Paddy Young, Ania Magliano, Annabel Marlow, Emma Sidi.
The players are announced: Celeste Dring, Hammed Animashaun, Larry Dean, George Fouracres, Jack Shep, Ayoade Bamgboye, Al Nash, Paddy Young, Ania Magliano, Annabel Marlow, Emma Sidi.
February 4, 2026 at 5:03 PM
Saturday Night Live UK is out on the 21st March.
The players are announced: Celeste Dring, Hammed Animashaun, Larry Dean, George Fouracres, Jack Shep, Ayoade Bamgboye, Al Nash, Paddy Young, Ania Magliano, Annabel Marlow, Emma Sidi.
The players are announced: Celeste Dring, Hammed Animashaun, Larry Dean, George Fouracres, Jack Shep, Ayoade Bamgboye, Al Nash, Paddy Young, Ania Magliano, Annabel Marlow, Emma Sidi.
Interesting read this, extrapolating (via Nairn, of course) that the collapse in the British Royals has a consequential effect on the parties of state in Labour and Cons:
open.substack.com/pub/abolishw...
open.substack.com/pub/abolishw...
Andrew, Gorton and Denton
As support for the monarchy falls, so does support for the political system they exist to protect
open.substack.com
February 2, 2026 at 1:59 PM
Interesting read this, extrapolating (via Nairn, of course) that the collapse in the British Royals has a consequential effect on the parties of state in Labour and Cons:
open.substack.com/pub/abolishw...
open.substack.com/pub/abolishw...
Reposted by Richard Martin
Old Thames barges have been deliberately sunk in the Blackwater Estuary, to create a new island habitat for birds:
Historic Thames barges sunk to create new bird island
Decommissioned Thames barges have been sunk in the Blackwater Estuary in Essex to create a new island habitat for breeding and roosting birds, in what the National Trust says is a UK first.
bit.ly
February 2, 2026 at 9:57 AM
Old Thames barges have been deliberately sunk in the Blackwater Estuary, to create a new island habitat for birds:
Reposted by Richard Martin
“There are now more people in Wales who say they feel Welsh rather than British, it’s accelerated madly since Brexit and Covid…
In England, Britishness is seen as the more inclusive identity, when Englishness isn’t, necessarily” - @jaclarner.bsky.social #Senedd26 #Wales #Cymru
In England, Britishness is seen as the more inclusive identity, when Englishness isn’t, necessarily” - @jaclarner.bsky.social #Senedd26 #Wales #Cymru
‘You can tell the mood has changed’: How Plaid Cymru led the Welsh fightback against Reform
Nigel Farage’s party was on the charge in Wales – but after the seismic Caerphilly byelection, progressives now believe they can come out on top in May
www.theguardian.com
February 1, 2026 at 11:10 AM
“There are now more people in Wales who say they feel Welsh rather than British, it’s accelerated madly since Brexit and Covid…
In England, Britishness is seen as the more inclusive identity, when Englishness isn’t, necessarily” - @jaclarner.bsky.social #Senedd26 #Wales #Cymru
In England, Britishness is seen as the more inclusive identity, when Englishness isn’t, necessarily” - @jaclarner.bsky.social #Senedd26 #Wales #Cymru
Reposted by Richard Martin
National museum of wales actually has actual information on the painting on the plaques by paintings
January 31, 2026 at 1:06 PM
National museum of wales actually has actual information on the painting on the plaques by paintings
I regret to inform you that the madness still isn’t over…
Daily Express: NOW YOU MUST GIVE BRITAIN A PROPER BREXIT #TomorrowsPapersToday
January 30, 2026 at 9:47 PM
I regret to inform you that the madness still isn’t over…
Reposted by Richard Martin
Daily Express: NOW YOU MUST GIVE BRITAIN A PROPER BREXIT #TomorrowsPapersToday
January 30, 2026 at 9:37 PM
Daily Express: NOW YOU MUST GIVE BRITAIN A PROPER BREXIT #TomorrowsPapersToday
There’s an increasing and very welcome degree of analysis of Welsh politics and the looming #Senedd26 election out there.
We’re trying to fill the niche niche of combative analysis here, it’s very un-Welsh because there are no punches pulled. Have a listen and feed back! 👇 #wales #cymru
We’re trying to fill the niche niche of combative analysis here, it’s very un-Welsh because there are no punches pulled. Have a listen and feed back! 👇 #wales #cymru
🚨 NEW POD🚨 out now! Lauren, Lee, and @lauramcallister30.bsky.social debate the start of the Senedd campaign 100 days out from the election.
Which parties have pull factors, which have push factors, & which are pulling themselves apart? #Senedd26 #Wales #Cymru
youtu.be/I-mwyO0ugDI
Which parties have pull factors, which have push factors, & which are pulling themselves apart? #Senedd26 #Wales #Cymru
youtu.be/I-mwyO0ugDI
Repulsion, Support, and Internal Tensions - The Senedd Campaign Begins
YouTube video by Welsh Politics Pod
youtu.be
January 30, 2026 at 3:36 PM
Reposted by Richard Martin
To express this naively, I simply do not think the idea of the UK as a sort of Canada to Europe works anymore (if it ever did and it doesn’t seem to work for Canada anymore).
January 30, 2026 at 10:49 AM
To express this naively, I simply do not think the idea of the UK as a sort of Canada to Europe works anymore (if it ever did and it doesn’t seem to work for Canada anymore).
Reposted by Richard Martin
Personally struggle with "world changed therefore harder Brexit choices" argument, maybe challenges now more obvious more widely, but the fundamentals around globalisation versus national control were the very facts that led to Brexit
Six years on, geopolitics is impacting severely on Brexit choices. By @jreland.bsky.social and me ukandeu.ac.uk/brexit-in-a-...
Brexit in a changing world - UK in a changing Europe
Anand Menon and Joël Reland argue that geopolitical tensions make the UK's choices post-Brexit increasingly difficult, even when it comes to regulatory divergence.
ukandeu.ac.uk
January 30, 2026 at 10:18 AM
Personally struggle with "world changed therefore harder Brexit choices" argument, maybe challenges now more obvious more widely, but the fundamentals around globalisation versus national control were the very facts that led to Brexit
Reposted by Richard Martin
I've never been so proud of being Welsh
January 30, 2026 at 8:35 AM
I've never been so proud of being Welsh
Reposted by Richard Martin
“the WRU, an institution that has sat at the heart of Welsh sporting and cultural life for almost 150 years has, rather than creating lasting legacies of Grand Slams and world-class players, become adept at producing apathy and disillusionment” @nyedavies.bsky.social 👇👇
nation.cymru/opinion/rugb...
nation.cymru/opinion/rugb...
Rugby, Labour and the Crisis of Welsh Institutions
Nye Davies Sport can often reflect a nation. In Wales, rugby has played a prominent role in the formation of a national consciousness, or at least a shared perception of what it means to be Welsh. Dai...
nation.cymru
January 29, 2026 at 10:44 AM
“the WRU, an institution that has sat at the heart of Welsh sporting and cultural life for almost 150 years has, rather than creating lasting legacies of Grand Slams and world-class players, become adept at producing apathy and disillusionment” @nyedavies.bsky.social 👇👇
nation.cymru/opinion/rugb...
nation.cymru/opinion/rugb...
… and a vindication of Plaid Cymru’s strategy to push ‘independence’ off into the future as an aspiration rather than a near-term ambition. Essential for their current coalition to keep it warm but not hot. #Senedd26 #Wales #Cymru
Just half of those intending to vote Plaid Cymru this May say they would vote for Welsh independence
Plaid Cymru: 52% Yes / 33% No
Labour: 28% / 58%
Reform UK: 13% / 77%
Conservative: 4% / 93%
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
Plaid Cymru: 52% Yes / 33% No
Labour: 28% / 58%
Reform UK: 13% / 77%
Conservative: 4% / 93%
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
January 28, 2026 at 2:38 PM
Reposted by Richard Martin
26% of Welsh people say they would vote for independence in a referendum, the highest figure recorded by YouGov's tracker to date
Yes: 26% (+3 from 4-10 Sept)
No: 54% (+1)
Don't know: 12% (-3)
Would not vote: 6% (=)
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
Yes: 26% (+3 from 4-10 Sept)
No: 54% (+1)
Don't know: 12% (-3)
Would not vote: 6% (=)
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
January 28, 2026 at 11:08 AM
26% of Welsh people say they would vote for independence in a referendum, the highest figure recorded by YouGov's tracker to date
Yes: 26% (+3 from 4-10 Sept)
No: 54% (+1)
Don't know: 12% (-3)
Would not vote: 6% (=)
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
Yes: 26% (+3 from 4-10 Sept)
No: 54% (+1)
Don't know: 12% (-3)
Would not vote: 6% (=)
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
Truly shocking and an indicator of why Welsh Labour face a far tougher time than the SNP in May.
Voters of *ALL* parties, including *LABOUR* voters think that both Labour governments on Britain are doing a bad job. Brutal times ahead at #Senedd26 in #Wales #Cymru for Eluned Morgan et al 👇👇
Voters of *ALL* parties, including *LABOUR* voters think that both Labour governments on Britain are doing a bad job. Brutal times ahead at #Senedd26 in #Wales #Cymru for Eluned Morgan et al 👇👇
67% of Welsh people believe the UK government is doing a bad job, with 52% saying so of the Welsh government
UK Government
Good job: 10% (+2 from 4-10 Sept)
Neither: 20% (+2)
Bad job: 67% (-4)
Welsh Government
Good job: 14% (+2)
Neither: 25% (=)
Bad job: 52% (+1)
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
UK Government
Good job: 10% (+2 from 4-10 Sept)
Neither: 20% (+2)
Bad job: 67% (-4)
Welsh Government
Good job: 14% (+2)
Neither: 25% (=)
Bad job: 52% (+1)
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
January 28, 2026 at 2:36 PM
“The party of devolution”, as described by the First Minister just last week.
‘The party against devolution’ to paraphrase these comments from just yesterday. No evidence, no rationale, just antipathy to the very idea 👇
Welsh Labour being thrown under the bus, again, before #Senedd26 #Wales #Cymru
‘The party against devolution’ to paraphrase these comments from just yesterday. No evidence, no rationale, just antipathy to the very idea 👇
Welsh Labour being thrown under the bus, again, before #Senedd26 #Wales #Cymru
A Welsh Labour MP speaking to a BBC Wales colleague said: "There is no way policing will be devolved. We may look at probation but that’s about it - especially as we don’t know who is in charge after May. “
January 27, 2026 at 8:58 AM