@willhaycardiff
Multi-award winning journalist and author based in Cardiff. I conduct investigative journalism and help people better understand Wales/Cymru. You sign up to my newsletter here: willhaywardwales.substack.com Columnist at The Guardian.
Not sure if this response is the slam dunk the First Minister thinks it is.
"That is a relationship that you will never have—never have."
This is in response to questioning about Keir Starmer saying that the UK Government shouldn't be over deferential to the devolved nations.
Plaid Cymru have raised this with the First Minister in the Senedd. More updates to follow
The UK Gov has been approached for comment.
5/5
This memo was just 10 days after my newsletter exclusively broke the story that more than a third of Welsh Labour MSs had accused the Prime Minister of undermining devolution.
4/5
He then adds:
“We should be confident in our ability to deliver directly in those nations, including through direct spending, even when devolved governments may oppose this.”
3/5
He said “each of us will maintain a professional and respectful working relationship with our counterparts in devolved governments” but “an overly deferential or laissezfaire approach to devolved government engagement almost inevitably creates political challenges or misses positive opportunities”
BREAKING - Big Story
A memo from Keir Starmer to all members of the UK Gov Cabinet has been leaked.
1/5
Thank you so much!
This book explains to you why the person you should be angry with is the politician in the suit, not the migrant in a boat.
You can order book now wherever you get your books. www.ylolfa.com/products/978...
The book dissects how the people of Wales have been relentlessly failed by their own Government in Cardiff Bay & by politicians in Westminster. It calls on us to demand better.
But to do that we need to really understand the problems and then use our anger to force the changes that are needed. 2/3
I am so excited to announce my book "Who Cares About Wales" will be out this Friday! What is even more exciting is the reviews. When you pour a year of work into 95,000 words you start to question if what you have written is any good. 1/3
This book explains to you why the person you should be angry with is the politician in the suit, not the migrant in a boat.
You can order book now from Y Lolfa or wherever you get your books. www.ylolfa.com/products/978...
The book dissects how the people of Wales have been relentlessly failed by their own Government in Cardiff Bay, and by politicians in Westminster. It calls on us to demand better.
But to do that we need to really understand the problems and then use our anger to force the changes that are needed.
I am so excited to announce my book "Who Cares About Wales" will be out this Friday!
What is even more exciting is the reviews. When you pour a year of work into 95,000 words you start to question if what you have written is any good.
1/
Reform have misspelt 2 out of the 3 Welsh words on their manifesto for Wales.
Nigel Farage and Wales leader Dan Thomas proudly held up the manifesto at the launch yesterday.
On the front cover it reads "Family, community, country," which has been translated to "Teulu, gymnued, wlad."
1/2
NEW POLLING OUT FOR WALES
New polling from @Moreincommon_ shows a drop in Reform polling from a month ago:
- Reform UK 26% (-5)
- Plaid Cymru 26% (+2)
- Labour 20% (nc)
- Conservative 10% (–3)
- The Green Party 10% (+5)
- Liberal Democrat 7% (+1)
I have been through Reform's manifesto for Wales so you don't have to.
(Spoiler, there are a lot of holes in it)
willhaywardwales.substack.com/p/scrutinisi...
'Community' should be spelt 'cymuned' and 'country' should be spelt 'gwlad' in this context.
What's weird is that other manifestos at the event had the correct spelling.
I would guess they spotted the error so got a new batch printed but forgot to throw away the old ones...
Reform have misspelt 2 out of the 3 Welsh words on their manifesto for Wales.
Nigel Farage and Wales leader Dan Thomas proudly held up the manifesto at the launch yesterday.
On the front cover it reads "Family, community, country," which has been translated to "Teulu, gymnued, wlad."
1/2
Those proud bastions of free speech Reform UK banned @willhaycardiff.bsky.social from their manifesto launch because they are scared of the scrutiny he would provide. Imagine what these cowards will do in power.
Honest journalism that pulls apart the continuing snake oil peddled by the ‘ex precious metals trader’, sponsored by the fossil fuel industry
👏👏👏 @willhaycardiff.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/willhayw...
🐔
I have been through Reform's manifesto for Wales so you don't have to.
(Spoiler, there are a lot of holes in it)
willhaywardwales.substack.com/p/scrutinisi...
Nigel Farage is literally spouting climate change denial in the Reform manifesto launch.
Casting doubt on climate change being man-made.
Nigel Farage starts his speech launching his parties manifesto for WALES by talking about Iran and complaining that Gorton and Denton by-election was "rigged".
Telling that he has mentioned Saddam Hussain more than Wales in the first 5 mins of his speech...
This is the front cover of ReformUK's Welsh manifesto.
If they achieve nothing else during this campaign at least they will always have the manifesto cover most clearly created with ChatGPT.
Reform are denying me access to the Welsh manifesto launch...
Remember a few weeks ago when Reform UK threatened to defund Bangor University in the name of "free speech"?
Well despite repeated requests, Reform are not allowing me to attend their manifesto launch.
1/3
It shows a total contempt for free speech and democracy when political parties restrict journalists they fear will challenge them.
If they are willing to do this when they are in opposition, imagine what they will be like if they have all the levers of the state behind them.
3/3
In the last week I have attended events and asked questions of the leaders of Plaid Cymru, Labour and the Conservatives. But Reform won't allow it.
The restriction of bonafide journalists from providing legitimate scrutiny is straight from the Trump playbook.
2/3
Reform are denying me access to the Welsh manifesto launch...
Remember a few weeks ago when Reform UK threatened to defund Bangor University in the name of "free speech"?
Well despite repeated requests, Reform are not allowing me to attend their manifesto launch.
1/3
I sat down with Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth who the polls suggest is most likely to be the next First Minister of Wales.
We discussed how we plans to get get concessions from Keir Starmer.
willhaywardwales.substack.com/p/i-am-not-a...
