Best Final Draught Podcasts (2024)

1
Winners and Losers 34:01

2d ago34:01

34:01

Felicity Evans and James Williams analyse the General Election results in Wales with newly-elected Labour MP Kanishka Narayan, returning Plaid Cymru MP Ben Lake and defeated Conservative MP Fay Jones. Ruth Mosalski, WalesOnline's political editor, is also on hand to discuss the fall-out from former minister Hannah Blythyn's personal statement to th…

1
A First Rough Draught of History 20:03

8d ago20:03

20:03

Felicity Evans and James Williams offer their snap analysis of the General Election results in WalesBy BBC Radio Wales

1
The Final Furlong 39:08

11d ago39:08

39:08

With the finishing line in sight, Felicity Evans and James Williams are joined by BBC Wales political editor Gareth Lewis, BBC Scotland's Phil Sim, Sky News' Darren McCaffrey and Dr Jac Larner of Cardiff University's Wales Governance Centre to look back at the General Election campaign so far and pick out the key battlegrounds and trends to watch o…

1
Taxing Issues 43:32

16d ago43:32

43:32

Felicity Evans and James Williams are joined by Guto Ifan from Cardiff University's Wales Fiscal Analysis programme to dig into what the Labour and Conservative manifesto commitments on tax and spending might mean for Wales in terms of funding and public services. Plus BBC Wales health correspondent Owain Clarke reflects on the role the NHS in Wale…

1
Up for Debate 44:48

26d ago44:48

44:48

With just two weeks to go until polling day, Felicity Evans and Nick Servini are joined by James Griffiths of the British Election Study and BBC Wales Westminster correspondent Shelley Phelps to examine the prospects of the Liberal Democrat and Reform parties in Wales in the General Election. Plus, live TV election debates can make or break a candi…

1
Manifold Manifestos 33:52

1M ago33:52

33:52

As a week of manifesto launches draws to a close, Felicity Evans and James Williams are joined by political pundits Lauren McEvatt, Matthew Hexter and Nerys Evans to pick over the different party offerings - and what they mean for WalesBy BBC Radio Wales

1
Proceeding with No Confidence 45:17

1M ago45:17

45:17

Felicity Evans and James Williams are joined by BBC Wales political editor Gareth Lewis to discuss where the vote of no confidence in the First Minister leaves Vaughan Gething. Polling expert Dr Jac Larner helps crunch the FM's latest numbers and also puts the plethora of recent general election opinion polls in context…

1
That's a Wrap on Week One 45:05

2M ago45:05

45:05

It's been a week since the July 4th General Election was called. Fliss and James mop up the details of campaign trails with Political Editor Gareth Lewis in Monmouth following a visit from Keir Starmer. They also catch up with Political Correspondent Cemlyn Davies following Plaid Cymru's campaign launch in Bangor. Also joining them is the Associate…

1
"And they're off..." 22:47

2M ago22:47

22:47

Following the surprise announcement of a General Election on July 4, James Williams is joined by BBC Wales Westminster reporters Catrin Haf Jones and Shelley Phelps to map out the contours of the campaign that lies ahead.By BBC Radio Wales

1
In the Firing Line 41:58

2M ago41:58

41:58

Felicity Evans and James Williams are joined by colleague Cemlyn Davies to discuss the fall-out from Vaughan Gething's sacking of one of his ministerial team for leaking to the media - an allegation the former minister for social partnership Hannah Blythyn denies. Luke Young of Citizens Advice Cymru laments the decision to delay council tax reforms…

1
Presiding Presence 44:58

2M ago44:58

44:58

At the end of a week that saw both the 25th anniversary of the first elections to Cardiff Bay and legislation passed to reform the Senedd, James Williams and Felicity Evans join the Presiding Officer Elin Jones MS in the Siambr to reflect on the devolution journey to date and what the future holds - for both her and the institution.…

1
Deletions and Donations 17:48

2M ago17:48

17:48

James Williams and Daniel Davies digest another week of difficult headlines for the new First MinisterBy BBC Radio Wales

1
Running into Opposition 36:40

2M ago36:40

36:40

Felicity Evans and James Williams are joined by BBC Wales political editor Gareth Lewis to sweep up as the dust settles on two opposition debates in the Senedd seeking to address the continuing controversy around a £200,000 donation to Vaughan Gething's Labour leadership campaign from a man twice convicted of environmental offences…

1
Tata Steel, 20mph and campaign donation controversy 36:22

3M ago36:22

36:22

Felicity Evans and David Deans discuss the latest developments in Tata Steel's plans to close both its blast furnaces at its Port Talbot plant before talking to Andrew Morgan, leader of the Welsh Local Government Association, about how councils view the recently announced changes to the implementation of the Welsh Government's default 20mph policy.…

1
Making Histories 39:36

3M ago39:36

39:36

With the Senedd back in session after the Easter recess, the new First Minister Vaughan Gething can now properly get down to business. Following a debut appearance at FMQs and a statement on "delivering Wales' priorities", Felicity Evans and James Williams explore what the past week in Cardiff Bay reveals about Mr Gething's approach to his new role…

1
"The doctor will see you now..." 33:09

3M ago33:09

33:09

Felicity Evans and James Williams examine the news that hospital doctors are pausing strike action for further pay talks with the Welsh Government with BBC Wales health correspondent Owain Clarke. And with three weeks to go until elections for Police and Crime Commissioners to the four Welsh forces, former deputy PCC Sophie Howe explains what the j…

1
First Readings 47:03

3M ago47:03

47:03

Felicity Evans and James Williams are joined by politicians past and present for a book club special. Labour MP Sir Chris Bryant discusses his latest work of history, "James and John: A True Story of Prejudice and Murder". Plaid Cymru MS Delyth Jewell's pick is the epic historical fantasy "Babel" by R F Kuang. And the former Conservative AM Suzy Da…

1
New First Minister, new direction? 34:47

4M ago34:47

34:47

Felicity Evans and James Williams are joined by BBC Wales political editor Gareth Lewis and Jo Kiernan, special adviser to former First Minister Carwyn Jones, to look back at Vaughan Gething's successful campaign to succeed Mark Drakeford and explore what to expect from the new man at the very top of Welsh politics…

1
The UK Covid-19 Inquiry in Wales 57:54

4M ago57:54

57:54

As its hearings in Cardiff conclude, Felicity Evans takes a deep dive into the evidence presented to the Welsh module of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry in the company of BBC Wales health correspondent Owain Clarke and WalesOnline's Welsh affairs editor Will HaywardBy BBC Radio Wales

1
"I commend this statement to the House..." 34:28

4M ago34:28

34:28

Felicity Evans and James Williams are joined by BBC Wales business correspondent Huw Thomas and Steffan Evans, director of policy at the Bevan Foundation, to sift through the details of the Chancellor's Budget and examine what they mean for WalesBy BBC Radio Wales

1
Food for Thought 34:25

5M ago34:25

34:25

Felicity Evans and James Williams dig into the issues that prompted Welsh farmers to protest outside the Senedd with Dr Hazel Wright of the Farmers' Union of Wales and Andrew Tuddenham of the Soil Association in Wales. And BBC Wales social affairs correspondent India Pollock reflects on the opening week of evidence to the Welsh leg of the UK Covid-…

1
Series 3 Bonus Episode 1: Chaos of the Commons 21:51

5M ago21:51

21:51

On this bonus episode of Politics on Draught, Kartik and James go into depth on the fiasco that occurred in the commons on 21st February 2024 whereby a Labour motion was accepted on an SNP opposition day by speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle. This prompted a wave of party politics during a debate that was supposed to advocate for the ceasefire in the Middle…

1
The Candidates 34:29

5M ago34:29

34:29

Felicity Evans and James Williams look back at the performance of the two men vying to succeed Mark Drakeford in a special BBC Wales Live debate with the programme presenter Bethan Rhys Roberts and fellow BBC Wales political reporter Cemlyn Davies. How did Vaughan Gething and Jeremy Miles come across and where did their pitches differ?…

1
The Art of the Political Interview 34:35

5M ago34:35

34:35

Felicity and James discuss the art of the political interview with the TV journalist Rob Burley, who has distilled his lengthy career making politics programmes into a book about the challenges of trying to get straight answers from ministers and Prime MinistersBy BBC Radio Wales

1
S3E1: It's 2024 and We're Back 45:44

5M ago45:44

45:44

*Opens the door to see a load of stray cobwebs and a dusty microphone We're back for season 3 of Politics on Draught. After our nearly year-long hiatus, we return to the airwaves at a time where an election is looming on both sides of the pond, and I think we all need to take a deep breath and digest. James and Kartik discuss what they have been do…

1
Ruffled Feathers 26:41

6M ago26:41

26:41

Following claims of a stitch-up, James Williams discusses the latest developments in the contest to become the next First Minister and leader of Welsh Labour with fellow podcaster Matt Hexter. And BBC Wales political reporter David Deans explains how nesting ospreys have led to ruffled feathers in the Senedd…

1
State of the Union 32:01

6M ago32:01

32:01

Wales' leading trade unionist Mark Serwotka is retiring after more than two decades as general secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union. Having seen seven Prime Ministers come and go, he talks to Felicity Evans and James Williams about the personal and professional challenges he has faced at the helm of the union that represents nearly…

1
Tata Steel special 29:15

6M ago29:15

29:15

Felicity Evans and James Williams explore the employment, environmental and political ramifications of Tata's Steel decision to close the two blast furnaces at its Port Talbot plant - and build an electric arc furnace in their place - with BBC Wales business correspondent Huw Thomas and environment correspondent Steffan Messenger…

1
"Talkin' 'bout the Constitution..." 39:14

6M ago39:14

39:14

BBC Wales political editor Gareth Lewis takes Felicity Evans and James Williams through the findings of the final report of the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales. And health correspondent Owain Clarke reflects on the state of the NHS in Wales as junior doctors end a 72-hour strike and the latest performance statistics are…

1
The Year Ahead 39:52

6M ago39:52

39:52

Felicity Evans and James Williams are joined by BBC Wales political editor Gareth Lewis and education and family correspondent Bethan Lewis to look ahead to what's in store in 2024 in the worlds of Welsh politics, education and the economyBy BBC Radio Wales

1
That was the year that was - and to come 36:28

7M ago36:28

36:28

Felicity Evans and James Williams sit down for an end-of-year chat with BBC Wales long-serving Welsh Affairs editor Vaughan Roderick. They look back at Vaughan's return to work after a life-changing illness and forward to what promises to be a dramatic year in politics - with a new First Minister due by Easter and a Westminster General Election als…

1
Budget Lines 39:29

7M ago39:29

39:29

Felicity Evans and James Williams are joined by the finance minister Rebecca Evans, the Welsh Conservative's Senedd leader Andrew RT Davies and the leader of Plaid Cymru Rhun ap Iorwerth to analyse the Welsh Government budget, look back at the rest of the political year and look ahead to 2024By BBC Radio Wales

1
Drakeford Stands Down, Who Will Stand Up? 42:08

7M ago42:08

42:08

The dust has settled somewhat after the surprise announcement that Mark Drakeford is standing down as First Minister and Welsh Labour Leader. Joining Felicity and James to discuss what, why and who's next is Political Lecturer Dr Jac Larner from Cardiff University and BBC Wales' Political Editor Gareth Lewis. They also reflect on the legacy of Mark…

1
Another chance to hear "In the Park with Mark Drakeford" 40:46

7M ago40:46

40:46

Following the announcement that Mark Drakeford is to stand down as First Minister and leader of Welsh Labour after five years in the job, here's an archive episode of Walescast from April 2021. In the middle of that Spring's Senedd election campaign, Felicity Evans and James Williams caught up with Mr Drakeford in the sunshine of a Cardiff park for…

1
Walescast Extra: "Drakeford to Stand Down!" 18:31

7M ago18:31

18:31

As the dust settles on the surprise announcement that Mark Drakeford is to stand down as First Minister and leader of Welsh Labour by next Easter, Felicity Evans and James Williams are joined by BBC Wales political editor Gareth Lewis for an unscheduled episode to reflect on the timing of the news - and on Mr Drakeford's legacy…

1
Leaning into Pisa 29:29

7M ago29:29

29:29

Felicity Evans and James Williams are joined by BBC Wales education correspondent Bethan Lewis and Institute of Fiscal Studies research fellow Luke Sibieta to assess the performance of Welsh pupils in the most recent set of Pisa tests - the international maths, reading and science assessments carried out every three years. The latest results from t…

1
Airing Differences 26:24

8M ago26:24

26:24

Daniel Davies and Teleri Glyn Jones are joined by Joseph Carter of Healthy Air Cymru to discuss the Air Quality and Soundscapes Bill, which is awaiting Royal Assent after completing its passage through the Senedd. The legislation - described as "world-leading" by ministers - is designed to cut deaths and illness from toxic air. But what it might me…

1
An Ode to the Autumn Statement 32:57

8M ago32:57

32:57

Felicity Evans and James Williams are joined by BBC Wales political editor Gareth Lewis and Guto Ifan of the Wales Governance Centre at Cardiff University to dig into the details of Chancellor Jeremy Hunt's Autumn Statement - and what it means for WalesBy BBC Radio Wales

1
Getting Down to Brass Tax 32:37

8M ago32:37

32:37

Felicity Evans and James Williams are joined by colleague Daniel Davies and David Phillips of the Institute of Fiscal Studies to discuss the Welsh government's plans for council tax reform. Why do ministers think change is necessary? When might it happen? And who will be winners and who will be losers?…

1
War in the Middle East and the King's Speech 33:36

8M ago33:36

33:36

Felicity Evans looks back at the Senedd debate on the conflict in Israel and Gaza with BBC Wales political editor Gareth Lewis before Sian Jones - a former special advisor to the Conservative cabinet minister Philip Hammond - helps them put the King's Speech in contextBy BBC Radio Wales

1
Tata Steel and Drug Consumption Rooms 35:06

9M ago35:06

35:06

Felicity Evans and James Williams are joined by BBC Wales business correspondent Huw Thomas to discuss the future of Tata Steel's Port Talbot plant after the last-minute cancellation of an expected announcement of the closure of its two blast furnaces with the potential loss of 3,000 jobs.And Martin Blakebrough, head of the substance misuse charity…

1
Winter is Coming 33:24

9M ago33:24

33:24

In the wake of the Welsh Ambulance Service declaring an "extraordinary incident" last weekend, Felicity Evans and James Williams are joined by BBC Wales health correspondent Owain Clarke and senior figures from the service to discuss the challenges it faces as winter looms - and what can be done to ease pressures at the hospital front door.…

1
It's (Number) Crunch Time 32:59

9M ago32:59

32:59

Felicity Evans and James Williams are joined by BBC Wales political editor Gareth Lewis and Guto Ifan from the Wales Governance Centre at Cardiff University to crunch the numbers following the unveiling of cuts to parts of the Welsh Government's budget which ministers say are needed to balance the books in the face of inflationary pressures and als…

1
Conference Pairs 48:19

9M ago48:19

48:19

Two party conference reviews for the price of one. Felicity and James are joined by BBC Wales Westminster correspondent Shelley Phelps and the shadow cabinet member and Torfaen MP Nick Thomas-Symonds to look back at Labour in Liverpool. Plus political correspondent Daniel Davies and Dwyfor Meirionnydd MS Mabon ap Gwynfor on Plaid Cymru's Autumn get…

1
A Platform for Change? 36:49

9M ago36:49

36:49

Felicity Evans reviews the Conservative Party conference and that HS2 announcement with the Brecon and Radnorshire MP Fay Jones and BBC Wales Westminster correspondent Catrin Haf Jones - who both spent the week in Manchester. Will Rishi Sunak's speech lead to a revival in his party's fortunes? And business correspondent Huw Thomas reflects on the n…

1
Signing Up, Up, Up 37:28

10M ago37:28

37:28

With the number of signatories to a petition calling on the Welsh Government to rescind its new 20-mph law breaking all records, James Williams and Felicity Evans are joined by the chair of the Senedd's petitions committee, Jack Sargeant MS and Cristina Leston-Bandiera, professor of politics at the University of Leeds, to investigate the value of p…

1
Reforming the Senedd and reframing Net Zero 47:27

10M ago47:27

47:27

The Minister for the Constitution, Mick Antoniw MS, joins James Williams to discuss the Senedd Reform Bill, which paves the way for the enlargement of the Senedd for 60 to 96 members. BBC Wales environment correspondent Steffan Messenger explains what the changes to to the UK government's approach to achieving net zero by 2050 - announced by the Pr…

1
Is 20 Plenty? 33:49

10M ago33:49

33:49

James Williams speaks to the Deputy Minster of Climate Change in Wales, Lee Waters, about the imminent arrival of the default 20mph speed limit. Also, with the help of BBC Wales' Political Editor Gareth Lewis, he analyses the latest Welsh Government announcement about the multi-million pound overspend by NHS Wales.…

1
"There may be trouble ahead..." 31:15

11M ago31:15

31:15

Budget cuts, public sector pay and the road to Net Zero. Felicity Evans and James Williams are joined by a trio of Senedd members - Labour’s Hefin David, Conservative Natasha Ashgar and Luke Fletcher of Plaid Cymru - to discuss the big issues facing their parties as the new political term approaches.…

1
When we met Rhun ap Iorwerth at the National Eisteddfod 58:37

11M ago58:37

58:37

The Plaid Cymru leader and Ynys Mon MS joins Felicity Evans and James Williams at the National Eisteddfod to reflect on a career which spans both journalism, politics and a little bit of showbusiness. In a wide-ranging interview he discusses growing up as the son of a musical collaborator with Dafydd Iwan, the four big decisions he's had to make in…

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