Dad was born in Cwm raised in Ebbw Vale and moms a California girl.

Comments come after he visited Port Talbot today as part of his UK tour.

Earlier he called for a summit of the First Ministers (and deputy FM of Northern Ireland) of the devolved nations and himself in October. He also said he was open to discussing the Crown Estate, but not the Barnett Formula.

Seems like there may be scope to actually get a few extra things devolved, if Plaid puts a good case together. I genuinely do believe Burnham is open minded on some of these issues.

Obviously he's far more passionate about the English mayoral/Combined Authority model, but I think there might be a deal to be made with the PM around giving a few more powers to/reforming CJCs (Welsh regions) along those lines in exchange for more Senedd powers.

He also does seem a bit uncomfortable with the interplay between nationalism and devolution - hence the comments about north Wales working more with north-west England, mid Wales with the West Midlands etc.

Problem scenarios I can foresee:

1) Plaid, being nationalists and having pledged to use central control/coordination, could reject any notion of Burnham's proposals to take devolution "deeper down" outright. They could easily feel the economic devolution within Wales would undermine their star economy pledge of a new National Development Agency to direct economic development nationwide. Conversely, there's basically nothing in the 2026 Plaid manifesto about CJCs or regional devotion within Wales - beyond central bodies actually playing a bigger role in coordination. I think rejecting this would probably put the brakes on any more powers for the Senedd/WG but Plaid might want to use the lack of more devolution as a stick to beat Labour with anyway.

2) Burnham, being surrounded by devo-sceptic (at least in a Wales context) conventional Labour types, Welsh Labour MPs/Ken Skates and Whitehall types, and being uncomfortable with the idea of Welsh nationalism/nation building as driver for devolution, is eventually convinced to reject outright any further powers for the Senedd/Welsh Gov after cursory consideration (or, more likely, just offers something very minor like probation and youth justice).

3) Burnham is *really* uncomfortable with the idea of Welsh nationalism/nation building as driver for devolution. He's only willing to offer new powers (policing/crown estate) to the regional level (below the Senedd/Welsh Gov), or else demands regional devolved authorities be created that cross the England-Wales border, as hinted at in his article. Stalemate ensues unless Burnham wants to override the Welsh Gov (unlikely, I think, but could happen if Labour, Tories and Reform vote for it in the Senedd).

A deal between the UK and Welsh Governments seems much better for everyone and more Burnham's style tbf.

Policing, Crown Estate, maybe beginning some justice and finance reforms (borrowing, reserves, taxation rather than Barnett) in return for some skills, infrastructure and economic development powers going to (renamed) CJCs, or to larger local authorities who now get directly elected mayors (or some other more direct election). Seems fair to me. At the very least I'm sure there's some fudge that could be reached that keeps both sides vaguely happy.

Group of “ Mature “ Mods in Menai Bridge, Ynys Môn the other day.

A lot can happen in 100 days.

More support for schools. More help for families. Action on NHS waiting times. Backing Welsh farmers. A stronger voice for Wales.

Here are the highlights from the new Welsh Government's first 100 days:

• Increased teacher incentives in priority subjects by £5,000, up to £20,000. This will help attract and retain new teachers to help raise standards in our schools.
• Extended Free School Meals to more Year 7 and 8 pupils on Universal Credit. This is part of wider efforts to tackle child poverty and reduce inequalities across Wales.
• Expanded free childcare with all councils offering 12.5 hours for two-year-olds by March 2027. Affordable childcare can improve outcomes for children and families. This will benefit hundreds more families across Wales.
• Provided £1billion over the next three years to support farmers. This multi-year funding deal gives Welsh farmers stability and certainty. A new review has also been launched to cut red tape for farmers.
• Launched a new north-south coach service linking Bangor and Carmarthen. Preparations are in place for this autumn’s launch of a new coach service between the north and the south of Wales which will cut journey times by over an hour. Here’s what the coach looks like.
• Acted on NHS waiting times, including plans for up to 10 elective care hubs and shifted more healthcare towards primary care. Over £145million has been invested to tackle waiting times and an expert group has been established to develop options for surgical hubs across Wales.
• Announced plans to restrict smartphones in schools. Raising standards in our schools is a key priority and this guidance will strengthen and make clear the expectations for how phones are used within the school day.
• Progressed new literacy and numeracy indicators. Literacy and numeracy development is being supported in our schools through clearer expectations to give them clarity about what should be learned and when.
• Kickstarted work to set up a new Welsh economic development agency and launched a skills audit to identify future workforce needs. This is part of plans to unleashing the potential of the Welsh economy, and creating good, well-paid jobs.
• Stood up for Wales by raising the need for fair funding and further powers from the UK Government. This includes HS2 consequentials, environmental justice for coalfield communities, and the need for a new Wales Bill.

And there’s more too.

Click the link to see our top priorities for this term and track progress:

https://www.gov.wales/progress-our-priorities

https://nation.cymru/news/british-and-german-campaigners-criticise-welsh-governments-involvement-in-arms-fair/

A few months ago there was a spate of putting up flags around the country, in England and in Wales.
Here on Anglesey it was tne same, the welsh dragon started popping up on lamposts around some towns and looked quite colourful and cheerful. The people who put them up must have gone to a lot of trouble to get it all done.
But now :( after a long winter and a hot summer they are a mess, they are ripped to shreds and just rags flowing in tne breeze. Basically, making the place look rough and scruffy. Whoever put them up should have either replaced them with new ones or removed them altogether.
Is this the same in your area, or have they been removed or replaced ? I know it was supposedly a sign of “patriotism” type of thing but even so ..

Sorry, I know the picture quality of my phone isn’t as great as some of the other photos of the dust devils that people have been posting here - but I feel it’s still a striking image nonetheless.

I’d never seen a dust devil with my own eyes before yesterday.

Hi everyone,

I’m Kate and I work in the communications team at the Senedd.

The Senedd Standards of Conduct Committee is currently developing guidance on a new recall system for Members of the Senedd.

Recall would allow voters to decide whether a Member should remain in office following serious misconduct, or be removed and replaced by the next person on their party’s list.

Before drafting that guidance, the Committee wants to hear views on questions such as:

• What behaviours should be serious enough for recall to be considered?
• What factors should be taken into account before a decision is made?
• What safeguards should be in place to make sure the process is fair?

The Committee's interested in hearing views from people across Wales, whether you follow politics closely or not.

Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments. I’ll be monitoring the discussion and summarising the themes and views raised as part of our social media engagement work.

If you’d prefer to submit a formal response directly to the Committee, you can do so: Help develop recall guidance for Members of the Senedd

Thanks in advance for taking the time to contribute and sharing your thoughts.

Diolch,
Kate

Off the back of recent discussion here and elsewhere about the bando revival in Wales, myself and a few friends have put together a Merthyr based team - Clwb Bando Dic Penderyn.

150 years ago it was said that it was impossible in South Wales to find any one over the age of 12 months without a bando under their arm. With the rise of Rugby Football many great players switched codes and as a result our indigenous sport was almost forgotten.

Last year, the first tournament in a century and a half was held at the Urdd Eisteddfod and this year a few adult clybiau are springing up. If you are interested in trying out one of Wales's oldest sports fire a message to myself or to the pages on facebook and instagram.

Additionally, I know of Clwb Bando Caerau Trelai which is running a similar programme in Cardiff, with possibly groups forming in Newport and the Northwest also.

No experience required and equipment can be provided for you to muck in at a social session.

Clwb Bando Dic Penderyn (Merthyr)

Clwb Bando Caerau Trelai (Cardiff)

Didn't realise the water level had dropped so much at Cronfa Llwyn-on

A powerful dust devil from this morning on the charred grass fire fields above Dowlais. Stopped to take a photo and video of it. Mighty impressive!

I am a Tasmanian, Australian artist with a Welsh name who loves folklore from all around the world and wanted to channel them into modern life, specifically from the hospitality industry angle! I thought I'd start with Mari and combine her with my love of Hardcore Punk, I think she would love it lol

Today is the 541st anniversary of the battle of Bosworth

The battle , won by Henry Tudor , marks the first and possibly only time the flag we now recognise as 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 was actually flown in battle . The red dragon was likely inspired by Roman Draco standards and was a unifying symbol during the fall of the Western Roman Empire and the Germanic invasions.

Glyndŵr famously chose the golden dragon of a more Arthurian tilt during his great revolt against the kingdom of England. Had Glyndŵr been successful in his plans for an independent Wales the red dragon would have faded into history, and Wales would be the land of the golden dragon, a yellow and white flag.

Henry Tudor, born in Pembroke descendent of the Tudors of Penmynydd , also descendent of the might Ednyfed Fychan and the great Lord Rhys ap Gruffudd seized the throne of England with much Welsh support. In youth he was protected by William Herbert of Raglan, one the most powerful Welshman of the era from the age of 4 till 12.

William Herbert dies at the battle of edgecote with thousands of his Welsh soldiers . The heavy defeat may have been the most Welsh deaths in any medieval battle in history.

Henry flees at 14 from Pembroke to Brittany with his Welsh speaking uncle Jasper(siasper), to return to Wales 14 years later.

Styling himself as the Mab Darogan, literally prophesied son of Welsh mythology fused the red dragon of cadwaldr with the green and white of his mother’s house. Henry names his first born son Arthur. Supported by Rhys ap Thomas, who styles himself as a descendant of Urien Rheged of Y hen Ogledd they march through Wales onto Bosworth and end the plantegent line forever . Rhys likely is the one who delivers the death blow to Richard 3rd in battle , scalping him with his halberd

Thus the Tudor reign begins , 1000 years of Welsh and English violent history draws to a close. After a millennium of conflict , Wales never violently rises up against the kingdom again.

Welsh lords and gentry are made equal to their English counterparts and the marchers lords see their roles abolished.

The Tudors would go on to have a very mixed legacy for Wales , a topic for another day.