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
It is so embarrassing that it has taken nearly a decade for a British minister to say this, a statement of the absolute bloody obvious
February 11, 2026 at 7:40 AM
It is so embarrassing that it has taken nearly a decade for a British minister to say this, a statement of the absolute bloody obvious
Reposted by Richard Martin
"History is women following behind with the bucket."
So Morgan McSweeney has been replaced by Jill Cuthbertson and Vidhya Alakeson. Antonia Romeo is about to take over from Chris Wormald. Steph Driver may return to fill Tim Allan's vacancy.
Sense that now there's a mess to mop up, get the women in
So Morgan McSweeney has been replaced by Jill Cuthbertson and Vidhya Alakeson. Antonia Romeo is about to take over from Chris Wormald. Steph Driver may return to fill Tim Allan's vacancy.
Sense that now there's a mess to mop up, get the women in
February 11, 2026 at 11:05 AM
"History is women following behind with the bucket."
So Morgan McSweeney has been replaced by Jill Cuthbertson and Vidhya Alakeson. Antonia Romeo is about to take over from Chris Wormald. Steph Driver may return to fill Tim Allan's vacancy.
Sense that now there's a mess to mop up, get the women in
So Morgan McSweeney has been replaced by Jill Cuthbertson and Vidhya Alakeson. Antonia Romeo is about to take over from Chris Wormald. Steph Driver may return to fill Tim Allan's vacancy.
Sense that now there's a mess to mop up, get the women in
Sort of lost among the hubbub is why the Member of the UK Parliament for Runcorn in England was trying to invite herself to a Gwynedd-based university in Wales, in the first place.
Given that Wales and England have different university systems, overseen by respective governments, isn’t this odd?
Given that Wales and England have different university systems, overseen by respective governments, isn’t this odd?
February 11, 2026 at 8:35 AM
Sort of lost among the hubbub is why the Member of the UK Parliament for Runcorn in England was trying to invite herself to a Gwynedd-based university in Wales, in the first place.
Given that Wales and England have different university systems, overseen by respective governments, isn’t this odd?
Given that Wales and England have different university systems, overseen by respective governments, isn’t this odd?
Reposted by Richard Martin
Nice summary by @wonkhe of how much mileage REFUK is getting out of lying about "freeze peach"...
And here, how they are threatening to apply England-only rules to Bangor... wonkhe.com/wonk-corner/...
And here, how they are threatening to apply England-only rules to Bangor... wonkhe.com/wonk-corner/...
February 11, 2026 at 8:05 AM
Nice summary by @wonkhe of how much mileage REFUK is getting out of lying about "freeze peach"...
And here, how they are threatening to apply England-only rules to Bangor... wonkhe.com/wonk-corner/...
And here, how they are threatening to apply England-only rules to Bangor... wonkhe.com/wonk-corner/...
Reposted by Richard Martin
168 years ago, on the 11th of February 1858, 14 year old Bernadette Soubirous first claimed to have witnessed an apparition of Mary near Lourdes. Neither Bernadette's sister nor her friend reported seeing the apparition. Now, around 4 million tourists visit each year. #otd #history 🗃️
February 11, 2026 at 8:23 AM
Reposted by Richard Martin
You may not like it, but strip out the hyperbole and abuse and it's quite hard to argue with this Cummings asssessment of the public mood
February 10, 2026 at 1:51 PM
You may not like it, but strip out the hyperbole and abuse and it's quite hard to argue with this Cummings asssessment of the public mood
Reposted by Richard Martin
University course enrolment changes over last 10 years:
> Medicine, dentistry, physical sciences and engineering all down in Wales while growing across the UK.
> Medicine, dentistry, physical sciences and engineering all down in Wales while growing across the UK.
February 10, 2026 at 1:13 PM
University course enrolment changes over last 10 years:
> Medicine, dentistry, physical sciences and engineering all down in Wales while growing across the UK.
> Medicine, dentistry, physical sciences and engineering all down in Wales while growing across the UK.
Reposted by Richard Martin
Medr ask the right question: why are Welsh students leaving, and where are they going?
Perhaps one policy response would be differential student support inside and outside Wales? Nudge Welsh students to stay in Wales
Perhaps one policy response would be differential student support inside and outside Wales? Nudge Welsh students to stay in Wales
Absolutely cracking post on WonkHE, a clear indication of the challenges for the new government #Senedd26 #Wales #Cymru
"The question that raises is whether Welsh providers are functioning as a national system serving Wales or as overflow capacity for English demand"
wonkhe.com/blogs/wales-...
"The question that raises is whether Welsh providers are functioning as a national system serving Wales or as overflow capacity for English demand"
wonkhe.com/blogs/wales-...
Wales needs a plan. Don’t we all
Jim Dickinson reviews a Welsh HE system too concentrated geographically, too thin in subject breadth, and too dependent on English demand to serve the students it's supposed to be for Jim Dickinson re...
wonkhe.com
February 10, 2026 at 10:44 AM
Medr ask the right question: why are Welsh students leaving, and where are they going?
Perhaps one policy response would be differential student support inside and outside Wales? Nudge Welsh students to stay in Wales
Perhaps one policy response would be differential student support inside and outside Wales? Nudge Welsh students to stay in Wales
Absolutely cracking post on WonkHE, a clear indication of the challenges for the new government #Senedd26 #Wales #Cymru
"The question that raises is whether Welsh providers are functioning as a national system serving Wales or as overflow capacity for English demand"
wonkhe.com/blogs/wales-...
"The question that raises is whether Welsh providers are functioning as a national system serving Wales or as overflow capacity for English demand"
wonkhe.com/blogs/wales-...
Wales needs a plan. Don’t we all
Jim Dickinson reviews a Welsh HE system too concentrated geographically, too thin in subject breadth, and too dependent on English demand to serve the students it's supposed to be for Jim Dickinson re...
wonkhe.com
February 10, 2026 at 10:35 AM
Absolutely cracking post on WonkHE, a clear indication of the challenges for the new government #Senedd26 #Wales #Cymru
"The question that raises is whether Welsh providers are functioning as a national system serving Wales or as overflow capacity for English demand"
wonkhe.com/blogs/wales-...
"The question that raises is whether Welsh providers are functioning as a national system serving Wales or as overflow capacity for English demand"
wonkhe.com/blogs/wales-...
Reposted by Richard Martin
The reason why the Labour party wants a new leader is that the polls and local elections both put them on the brink of death, the policy agenda is a mess of warmed-over Milibandism pared with hypocritical social conservativism and no obvious route to the upside.
February 9, 2026 at 2:11 PM
The reason why the Labour party wants a new leader is that the polls and local elections both put them on the brink of death, the policy agenda is a mess of warmed-over Milibandism pared with hypocritical social conservativism and no obvious route to the upside.
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 9, 2026 at 9:53 AM
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