Hiraeth Welsh Politics

103 Followers
62 Following
140 Posts
Cartref Gwleidyddiaeth Cyfoes Cymru
The Home of Modern Welsh Politics

Wales needs more high-quality domestic media - especially in English - and we have faith that Hiraeth, or something like it, will exist in the future.

Matt, Ceri, and Richard
January 1st, 2025

#Wales #Cymru

The Patreon will close shortly and all charges have already ceased. Our mid- and top-tier supporters will receive their outstanding merchandise, which is in the works at present.

In whatever role you’ve interacted with us over the years, listener, subscriber, guest, host, the final word we have for you is ‘Diolch’.

Our listener and social media communities have been vibrant and supportive and a special word of thanks is reserved for our stable of Patreons, many of whom have supported us from the very beginning with monthly donations.

We have a handful of pods still to come out in the feed but have no plans at present to create any more in 2025 and our monthly newsletter - The Hiraeth Review - will also cease. Our back catalogue will remain online on all podcasts apps and on YouTube.

It is a big (but essential) challenge for the future of our little country to build sustainable platforms for honest debate and open critique in the digital landscape in which all media now exists.

Hiraeth has had incredible support over the years. The willingness of guests to appear on the pod has been nothing short of astounding, sharing their expertise and insight while accepting healthy and robust challenge.

- And we’ve covered the political and social history of Wales and beyond, from the Welsh Not, to Chartism, imperialism, religion, and role of monarchy in the modern world.

Time and time again we’ve taken seriously the Welsh perspective on many of these issues and found ourselves surprised that this simply isn’t being done elsewhere.

- We’ve hosted multiple events across the length and breadth of Cymru, from Boduan on the Llŷn Peninsular, via Builth Wells, to Newport, Pontypridd, and Cardiff.
- We’ve interviewed multiple authors about their fantastic books on subjects such as the political legacy of mining, the new petty bourgeoisie, neo-liberalism in Wales, and the political impact of the rise of Englishness.
- We’ve analysed contemporary events, party politics and elections in Wales, England, Ireland, Scotland, Northern Ireland, France, and the USA from a Welsh perspective.
- We’ve interviewed politicians from all levels of national- and union-wide government, including ministers and heads of government.
- We’ve done detailed dives into big policy challenges and portfolios including health, transport, Brexit, rural affairs, criminal justice and education.

we know that we’ve both created new audiences and delivered for existing ones. Our own brand of English-language digital public service broadcasting for Wales has made the pod a trusted source of civic discussion and debate and we are all incredibly proud of the work we have done.

Our regular, reliable rhythm of pods over the last five years has covered an unbelievable amount of subjects:

STATEMENT

There is no easy way to say this but the time has come to announce that the Hiraeth Pod - in its current form - is coming to an end.

For reasons personal and professional, the team behind the pod are not able to commit to continuing production of pods, live events, and newsletters to the same regularity and high editorial standard that we have done since the outset in May 2020.

With well over a quarter of a million views and listens of our content over the years ...

🚨NEW POD🚨
In our last pod of 2024, friend of the pod Jess Blair of the Electoral Reform Society speaks with former FM Mark Drakeford about reforms to Welsh democracy under his premiership, political compromise in dealmaking, and 'the best old people's home in London'. #Wales #Cymru

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Z0ui7anH2OCzHhdCmpEgR?si=uE2k_YnASk6Sz_0o92CLNg

Renewing Welsh democracy, half-a-loafers, and the best old people’s home in London

Hiraeth - Welsh Politics · Episode

Spotify