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
They can be a good policy intervention for the tiny minority of families whose problem is having a chaotic life, whether that is mental health, drug addiction or whatever, but for most people in poverty, their problem is - wait for it - they don't have enough money!
November 10, 2025 at 1:12 PM
They can be a good policy intervention for the tiny minority of families whose problem is having a chaotic life, whether that is mental health, drug addiction or whatever, but for most people in poverty, their problem is - wait for it - they don't have enough money!
Reposted by Richard Martin
Excellent, excellent column this by Martin Wolf - capturing a neglected truth, which is this government is an 'Old Labour' one, not in the way it was useful for Blair and Corbyn to caricature, but in the 'how those governments actually governed (and mostly lost):
The disturbing victory of Old Labour over New Labour
In education, labour and housing we risk going back towards what we know will not work
www.ft.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Excellent, excellent column this by Martin Wolf - capturing a neglected truth, which is this government is an 'Old Labour' one, not in the way it was useful for Blair and Corbyn to caricature, but in the 'how those governments actually governed (and mostly lost):
Another entry in the ever growing list of good reasons why Wales should be finding its way out of the ‘joint’ criminal justice system of ‘England and Wales’ and join Scotland and Northern Ireland in managing its own affairs. #Senedd26
New post just out:
Why the criminal justice system should be top of No. 10's "shit list".
No part of the public sector is more broken or brings with it greater political risk. As we saw these past two weeks.
It desperately needs a new approach.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/f...
Why the criminal justice system should be top of No. 10's "shit list".
No part of the public sector is more broken or brings with it greater political risk. As we saw these past two weeks.
It desperately needs a new approach.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/f...
Flashing Red
Why the criminal justice system should be top of No. 10's "shit list"
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:24 AM
Another entry in the ever growing list of good reasons why Wales should be finding its way out of the ‘joint’ criminal justice system of ‘England and Wales’ and join Scotland and Northern Ireland in managing its own affairs. #Senedd26
Reposted by Richard Martin
🦉 An owl shoots down a Russian mavic 3t.
November 9, 2025 at 10:21 AM
🦉 An owl shoots down a Russian mavic 3t.
Reposted by Richard Martin
Govt scraps all electrification investment. Midland Main Line to stay forever diesel Leicester Nottingham Derby Sheffield. Hugely embarrassing and inexplicable
www.ft.com/content/5ecd...
www.ft.com/content/5ecd...
UK transport secretary says full electrification of railways ‘not affordable right now’
Heidi Alexander says focus will be on other projects such as HS2
www.ft.com
November 8, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Govt scraps all electrification investment. Midland Main Line to stay forever diesel Leicester Nottingham Derby Sheffield. Hugely embarrassing and inexplicable
www.ft.com/content/5ecd...
www.ft.com/content/5ecd...
Quite the thing to hear a sitting Labour Member of the Senedd suggesting that the UK Prime Minister should ditch the Labour Secretary of State for Wales in order to change the perception of the party here ahead of #Senedd26 #Cymru #Wales 👀
November 8, 2025 at 3:10 PM
This might sound like a ridiculous prospect, and Laura clearly thinks it is, but I wouldn’t necessarily rule it out. Especially if the labour party continues to find it brutally hard to make the compromises required to pass a budget.
#Senedd26 #Cymru #Wales
#Senedd26 #Cymru #Wales
A snap election on the old voting system AND 60 members?
With Welsh Government unable to pass its budget, is a snap election the answer? Could four more years on the old system of 60 members tempt Labour and the Conservatives to do a deal? #senedd26 #Cymru #Wales @lauramcallister30.bsky.social
With Welsh Government unable to pass its budget, is a snap election the answer? Could four more years on the old system of 60 members tempt Labour and the Conservatives to do a deal? #senedd26 #Cymru #Wales @lauramcallister30.bsky.social
November 8, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Reposted by Richard Martin
With so little time between now and #Senedd26, there's very little of substance the UK Labour Party could do to change the context for Welsh Labour's campaign next Spring. So, learning from Harold Wilson, should he consider replacing a Welsh Secretary considered to be unpopular? #Wales #Cymru
November 8, 2025 at 4:03 AM
Reposted by Richard Martin
A snap election on the old voting system AND 60 members?
With Welsh Government unable to pass its budget, is a snap election the answer? Could four more years on the old system of 60 members tempt Labour and the Conservatives to do a deal? #senedd26 #Cymru #Wales @lauramcallister30.bsky.social
With Welsh Government unable to pass its budget, is a snap election the answer? Could four more years on the old system of 60 members tempt Labour and the Conservatives to do a deal? #senedd26 #Cymru #Wales @lauramcallister30.bsky.social
November 8, 2025 at 4:38 AM
A snap election on the old voting system AND 60 members?
With Welsh Government unable to pass its budget, is a snap election the answer? Could four more years on the old system of 60 members tempt Labour and the Conservatives to do a deal? #senedd26 #Cymru #Wales @lauramcallister30.bsky.social
With Welsh Government unable to pass its budget, is a snap election the answer? Could four more years on the old system of 60 members tempt Labour and the Conservatives to do a deal? #senedd26 #Cymru #Wales @lauramcallister30.bsky.social
Reposted by Richard Martin
The first of our episodes looking at the consequences of the #Caerphilly byelection result's effect on the Welsh Government's remaining term, legislative programme, and budget, as well as the internal considerations for UK Labour and the Conservatives:
youtu.be/zX3VQRf5P2Y
youtu.be/zX3VQRf5P2Y
The Road to May from Caerphilly - part 1
YouTube video by Welsh Politics Pod
youtu.be
November 8, 2025 at 12:52 AM
The first of our episodes looking at the consequences of the #Caerphilly byelection result's effect on the Welsh Government's remaining term, legislative programme, and budget, as well as the internal considerations for UK Labour and the Conservatives:
youtu.be/zX3VQRf5P2Y
youtu.be/zX3VQRf5P2Y
Reposted by Richard Martin
📢Darlith Goffa J. E. Caerwyn a Gwen Williams 2025
🗓9 Rhagfyr 🕔5.00yh
🗣Jerry Hunter @cymraegbangor.bsky.social
‘Digenhedlu yn rhy bell’: y Dyneiddwyr, y Beirdd a Hunaniaeth Genedlaethol Gymreig yn Oes y Tuduriaid
📍Yn @librarywales.bsky.social ac ar lein.
E-bostiwch canolfan@cymru.ac.uk i gofrestru.
🗓9 Rhagfyr 🕔5.00yh
🗣Jerry Hunter @cymraegbangor.bsky.social
‘Digenhedlu yn rhy bell’: y Dyneiddwyr, y Beirdd a Hunaniaeth Genedlaethol Gymreig yn Oes y Tuduriaid
📍Yn @librarywales.bsky.social ac ar lein.
E-bostiwch canolfan@cymru.ac.uk i gofrestru.
November 6, 2025 at 10:32 AM
📢Darlith Goffa J. E. Caerwyn a Gwen Williams 2025
🗓9 Rhagfyr 🕔5.00yh
🗣Jerry Hunter @cymraegbangor.bsky.social
‘Digenhedlu yn rhy bell’: y Dyneiddwyr, y Beirdd a Hunaniaeth Genedlaethol Gymreig yn Oes y Tuduriaid
📍Yn @librarywales.bsky.social ac ar lein.
E-bostiwch canolfan@cymru.ac.uk i gofrestru.
🗓9 Rhagfyr 🕔5.00yh
🗣Jerry Hunter @cymraegbangor.bsky.social
‘Digenhedlu yn rhy bell’: y Dyneiddwyr, y Beirdd a Hunaniaeth Genedlaethol Gymreig yn Oes y Tuduriaid
📍Yn @librarywales.bsky.social ac ar lein.
E-bostiwch canolfan@cymru.ac.uk i gofrestru.
Grabbed some tix for this! I’m really hopeful that this play really lands, not just to boost the launch of @WelshNatTheatre but to really rethink how we reflect on our past.
It’s not about the text, it's about the subtext. Woodbury Hill is a good analogy for today’s #Wales socially and politically:
It’s not about the text, it's about the subtext. Woodbury Hill is a good analogy for today’s #Wales socially and politically:
Rebellion begins. Tickets are now on sale for Owain & Henry, by Gary Owen, co-directed by Michael Sheen and Steffan Donnelly. See @mchshe.bsky.social as Owain Glyndŵr in a fiery reflection on the “hotch-potch of peoples who became England.” 🎟 Watch the full video and book now wmc.org.uk/owain+henry
November 7, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Grabbed some tix for this! I’m really hopeful that this play really lands, not just to boost the launch of @WelshNatTheatre but to really rethink how we reflect on our past.
It’s not about the text, it's about the subtext. Woodbury Hill is a good analogy for today’s #Wales socially and politically:
It’s not about the text, it's about the subtext. Woodbury Hill is a good analogy for today’s #Wales socially and politically:
Reposted by Richard Martin
Ein pennod 'coll' nawr arlein, joiwch dysgu am Goronwy Ddu!
Pennod 74 – Hiraeth am Fôn: Goronwy Owen @yrheniaith.bsky.social
Caiff Richard Wyn Jones ragor o hanes llenyddol ei fro enedigol yn y bennod hon wrth i'r ddau drafod Goronwy Owen, bardd enwocaf Ynys Môn.
Gwyliwch a gwrandewch nawr: www.ambobdim.cymru/profile-cont...
Caiff Richard Wyn Jones ragor o hanes llenyddol ei fro enedigol yn y bennod hon wrth i'r ddau drafod Goronwy Owen, bardd enwocaf Ynys Môn.
Gwyliwch a gwrandewch nawr: www.ambobdim.cymru/profile-cont...
November 6, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Ein pennod 'coll' nawr arlein, joiwch dysgu am Goronwy Ddu!
Reposted by Richard Martin
Pennod 74 – Hiraeth am Fôn: Goronwy Owen @yrheniaith.bsky.social
Caiff Richard Wyn Jones ragor o hanes llenyddol ei fro enedigol yn y bennod hon wrth i'r ddau drafod Goronwy Owen, bardd enwocaf Ynys Môn.
Gwyliwch a gwrandewch nawr: www.ambobdim.cymru/profile-cont...
Caiff Richard Wyn Jones ragor o hanes llenyddol ei fro enedigol yn y bennod hon wrth i'r ddau drafod Goronwy Owen, bardd enwocaf Ynys Môn.
Gwyliwch a gwrandewch nawr: www.ambobdim.cymru/profile-cont...
November 6, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Pennod 74 – Hiraeth am Fôn: Goronwy Owen @yrheniaith.bsky.social
Caiff Richard Wyn Jones ragor o hanes llenyddol ei fro enedigol yn y bennod hon wrth i'r ddau drafod Goronwy Owen, bardd enwocaf Ynys Môn.
Gwyliwch a gwrandewch nawr: www.ambobdim.cymru/profile-cont...
Caiff Richard Wyn Jones ragor o hanes llenyddol ei fro enedigol yn y bennod hon wrth i'r ddau drafod Goronwy Owen, bardd enwocaf Ynys Môn.
Gwyliwch a gwrandewch nawr: www.ambobdim.cymru/profile-cont...
Reposted by Richard Martin
Mae diwygiadau cyllidol Cymru yn darparu mantais ariannol o bron i £1 Biliwn 📈💷
Mae adroddiad mawr yn galw ar Gymru i dreblu pwerau benthyca ac ennill rheolaeth lawn dros dreth incwm wrth i ddiwygiadau'r Fframwaith Cyllidol ddarparu hwb cyllideb ddigynsail. 👇
www.cardiff.ac.uk/__data/asset...
Mae adroddiad mawr yn galw ar Gymru i dreblu pwerau benthyca ac ennill rheolaeth lawn dros dreth incwm wrth i ddiwygiadau'r Fframwaith Cyllidol ddarparu hwb cyllideb ddigynsail. 👇
www.cardiff.ac.uk/__data/asset...
November 6, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Mae diwygiadau cyllidol Cymru yn darparu mantais ariannol o bron i £1 Biliwn 📈💷
Mae adroddiad mawr yn galw ar Gymru i dreblu pwerau benthyca ac ennill rheolaeth lawn dros dreth incwm wrth i ddiwygiadau'r Fframwaith Cyllidol ddarparu hwb cyllideb ddigynsail. 👇
www.cardiff.ac.uk/__data/asset...
Mae adroddiad mawr yn galw ar Gymru i dreblu pwerau benthyca ac ennill rheolaeth lawn dros dreth incwm wrth i ddiwygiadau'r Fframwaith Cyllidol ddarparu hwb cyllideb ddigynsail. 👇
www.cardiff.ac.uk/__data/asset...
Reposted by Richard Martin
A triumph for Welsh Govt’s current account rather than public accountability? For those interested in devolved governance in the UK, this is a fascinating report on the experience of Welsh fiscal #devolution & Welsh fiscal framework a decade on, & offers proposals for reform of the system #senedd
Almost a decade on, Wales' fiscal reforms deliver nearly £1 Billion windfall but fall short on empowering the Senedd
Major new report calls for tripling of borrowing powers and full income tax control as Fiscal Framework reforms deliver unprecedented budget boost:👇
www.cardiff.ac.uk/__data/asset...
Major new report calls for tripling of borrowing powers and full income tax control as Fiscal Framework reforms deliver unprecedented budget boost:👇
www.cardiff.ac.uk/__data/asset...
www.cardiff.ac.uk
November 6, 2025 at 9:55 AM
A triumph for Welsh Govt’s current account rather than public accountability? For those interested in devolved governance in the UK, this is a fascinating report on the experience of Welsh fiscal #devolution & Welsh fiscal framework a decade on, & offers proposals for reform of the system #senedd
Reposted by Richard Martin
Today is the feast day of St Illtyd - Welsh saint and cousin of King Arthur.
His school at Llanilltud Fawr is one of Britain’s first centres of learning, and legend says he turned two robbers to stone - one still stands on the misty slopes of Mynydd Illtud, Bannau Brycheiniog. 🌫️
His school at Llanilltud Fawr is one of Britain’s first centres of learning, and legend says he turned two robbers to stone - one still stands on the misty slopes of Mynydd Illtud, Bannau Brycheiniog. 🌫️
November 6, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Today is the feast day of St Illtyd - Welsh saint and cousin of King Arthur.
His school at Llanilltud Fawr is one of Britain’s first centres of learning, and legend says he turned two robbers to stone - one still stands on the misty slopes of Mynydd Illtud, Bannau Brycheiniog. 🌫️
His school at Llanilltud Fawr is one of Britain’s first centres of learning, and legend says he turned two robbers to stone - one still stands on the misty slopes of Mynydd Illtud, Bannau Brycheiniog. 🌫️
At a time when the UK Govt’s fiscal shackles are looking tighter than ever, a massive evidence boost here that something that costs the UK Govt essentially nothing can be *really good for Wales* and there should be be more tax/fiscal devolution!
Dare I say it is a ‘devolution dividend’? #Senedd26
Dare I say it is a ‘devolution dividend’? #Senedd26
Almost a decade on, Wales' fiscal reforms deliver nearly £1 Billion windfall but fall short on empowering the Senedd
Major new report calls for tripling of borrowing powers and full income tax control as Fiscal Framework reforms deliver unprecedented budget boost:👇
www.cardiff.ac.uk/__data/asset...
Major new report calls for tripling of borrowing powers and full income tax control as Fiscal Framework reforms deliver unprecedented budget boost:👇
www.cardiff.ac.uk/__data/asset...
www.cardiff.ac.uk
November 6, 2025 at 9:26 AM
At a time when the UK Govt’s fiscal shackles are looking tighter than ever, a massive evidence boost here that something that costs the UK Govt essentially nothing can be *really good for Wales* and there should be be more tax/fiscal devolution!
Dare I say it is a ‘devolution dividend’? #Senedd26
Dare I say it is a ‘devolution dividend’? #Senedd26
"Gwyn Alf Williams wrote “Labour’s old majorities stand like Aneurin Bevan’s memorial stones”, looking like the “Stonehenge of Welsh politics.” In Caerphilly, one of those stones has cracked; shifting political weather now threatens more monuments to Welsh Labour’s historic majorities." #Senedd26
New blog
Cracks in the Stonehenge of Welsh Politics: Caerphilly and Labour’s Future
Read @nyedavies.bsky.social on why the result in Caerphilly should act as a wake-up call to Welsh Labour, despite many in the party having warned against reading too much into the defeat
Read more: edin.ac/4949g0m
Cracks in the Stonehenge of Welsh Politics: Caerphilly and Labour’s Future
Read @nyedavies.bsky.social on why the result in Caerphilly should act as a wake-up call to Welsh Labour, despite many in the party having warned against reading too much into the defeat
Read more: edin.ac/4949g0m
November 5, 2025 at 4:39 PM
"Gwyn Alf Williams wrote “Labour’s old majorities stand like Aneurin Bevan’s memorial stones”, looking like the “Stonehenge of Welsh politics.” In Caerphilly, one of those stones has cracked; shifting political weather now threatens more monuments to Welsh Labour’s historic majorities." #Senedd26
Reposted by Richard Martin
November 3, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Reposted by Richard Martin
Outstanding, no notes
November 3, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Outstanding, no notes
Reposted by Richard Martin
Will things change if we have a Welsh Govt led by Plaid Cymru or Reform UK?
In our latest pod we discuss what would change in the relationship between national and union governments following the 2026 election if Labour isn't leading the one in Wales.
#Senedd26 #Wales #Cymru
In our latest pod we discuss what would change in the relationship between national and union governments following the 2026 election if Labour isn't leading the one in Wales.
#Senedd26 #Wales #Cymru
November 4, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Reposted by Richard Martin
"This would still be an historically low increase in NHS spending" - Guto Ifan #Senedd26
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
NHS, housing and councils winners in Welsh government budget plans
But Welsh Labour does not have enough Senedd members to pass it without making a deal.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 4, 2025 at 10:18 AM
"This would still be an historically low increase in NHS spending" - Guto Ifan #Senedd26
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Richard Martin
Braint cael cyhoeddi yn Fortnight. Llyfr Philip Stephens yn werth chweil hefyd.
Real pleasure/privilege to get the opportunity to contribute to Fortnight, one of the other island’s best publications. And ‘These Divided Isles’ is well worth your time.
Real pleasure/privilege to get the opportunity to contribute to Fortnight, one of the other island’s best publications. And ‘These Divided Isles’ is well worth your time.
November 4, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Braint cael cyhoeddi yn Fortnight. Llyfr Philip Stephens yn werth chweil hefyd.
Real pleasure/privilege to get the opportunity to contribute to Fortnight, one of the other island’s best publications. And ‘These Divided Isles’ is well worth your time.
Real pleasure/privilege to get the opportunity to contribute to Fortnight, one of the other island’s best publications. And ‘These Divided Isles’ is well worth your time.