Will Hayward - Wales Journo

In a bizarre video titled “Remembering Aberfan ❤️” Reform’s Welsh leader pays tribute to people killed in the disaster 60 years ago before saying we need ban face coverings…

In a bizarre video titled “Remembering Aberfan ❤️” Reform’s Welsh leader pays tribute to people killed in the disaster 60 years ago before saying we need ban face coverings…

I'm very excited to have joined Proper Cardiff News as investigations editor. Proud to be working with some of the best journalists in Wales on a news service dedicated to our capital city.

Latest Welsh NHS waiting list data is out. The total number of waits has gone up 30k since May and is the highest it has been since January. The very longest waits have also increased. This data runs to August. Full analysis coming in newsletter.

Big announcement - a Cardiff specific news service. @propercardiffnews.bsky.social Full details in the video and you can subscribe in the comments. Bloody hell this is exciting (and terrifying).

Some of the debate from inside the Senedd after Reform calls for a ban on face coverings. Full briefing in my newsletter: willhaywardwales.substack.com/p/wales-watc...

Good journalism isn’t free. I’ve signed up for an annual subscription, perhaps you should too?

People gather down Cardiff Bay to welcome King Charles.

The Senedd has barred the National Poet of Wales from reading a poem at the opening of the Welsh Parliament in front of the King because it was “too political”. willhaywardwales.substack.com/p/wales-watc...

The Plaid Cymru Welsh Government have agreed a deal with Welsh Labour to get their budget through. They are allocating an additional £60m to additional learning needs provision.

Are Plaid Cymru focussing too much on independence? What does Rhun ap Iorwerth actually expects from negotiations with Burnham? When will Wales’ longest waiting lists be gone? All included in my interview with Wales' First Minister: willhaywardwales.substack.com/p/the-rhun-a...

For pity's... Also, good to note early attribution for the Guardian story, which first appeared in @willhaycardiff.bsky.social's newsletter. It's a subscription site on Substack. Will is solid on Welsh politics. willhaywardwales.substack.com/p/reform-mp-...

The leader of the Green Party in Wales says he would not have voted for the “Zionism is racism” motion. Full statement here:

The Welsh Government has made a major announcement on the M4 congestion around Newport and a new bridge across the Menai Strait.

"Give Wales what Scotland has" My latest Guardian column. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Last weekend I was at Plaid Cymru's conference. I have interviewed the First Minister, members of cabinet, policy buffs, frontline workers, pollsters and grassroots members to try and shed light on where the new Welsh Gov is at, and where it is going. willhaywardwales.substack.com/p/inside-the...

Pro-Palestine protest outside Plaid Cymru's conference in Llandudno. People carrying wrapped up "bodies" and the sign "Welfare not warfare".

EXCLUSIVE Reform MP Sarah Pochin asked a question about the impact second homes have on rural areas, just 48 hours before buying a £800k second home in Wales… willhaywardwales.substack.com/p/reform-mp-...

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth takes to the stage for his first conference speech as Wales’ First Minister.

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth takes to the stage for his first conference speech as Wales’ First Minister.

I just spent two days at the Labour conference in Liverpool. The difference between Welsh and UK Labour was stark. There is a huge opportunity for Wales, but there is a risk it passes us by. My write up here: willhaywardwales.substack.com/p/inside-the...

Reform’s new deputy leader in Wales says that the are “the most united opposition” that Welsh politics “has ever seen”. - Last week one of their MSs defected to Plaid. - Their new leader was elected in a 17-15 vote. - Reform MSs are already briefing against the new leader.

Nigel Farage's favourability rating in Wales has plummeted according to the latest polls. Andy Burnham and Rhun ap Iorwerth are the only leaders have more people who think they are "doing well" compared to "doing badly". Full breakdown: willhaywardwales.substack.com/p/grim-polli...

I understand Nigel Farage will be in south Wales early next week. To announce the new Reform leader in the Senedd perhaps…?

Enjoyed speaking to @podsavetheuk.crooked.com this week about Welsh politics.

A Reform Member of the Welsh Parliament has spoken in defence of colonialism. Joe Martin is the MS for Caerdydd Penarth. It was just a day after Reform's leader in Wales Dan Thomas resigned after being arrested and bailed on suspicion of assault and coercive or controlling behaviour.

The leader of Reform UK in Wales has stepped down as leader following being arrested on suspicion of assault and engaging and controlling/coercive behaviour. He denies any wrongdoing. This is a developing story. Subscribe to the newsletter for full details.

So it seems that Reform's leader in Wales Dan Thomas will not be attending First Minister's Questions after the summer recess. Mr Thomas is leader of the opposition and this is the first FMQs since the summer recess.

Do people in Wales actually want independence? Yesterday the First Minister's of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland signed an agreement and demanded changes to how the UK is set up. Let's breakdown the latest polling to try and understand the issue of Welsh independence and who wants it.

At the Welsh Gov offices in Cardiff for the press conference of First Ministers of Wales and Scotland Rhun ap Iorwerth and John Swinney. Full breakdown in newsletter

My latest newsletter: - Explore what happens to Reform in Wales if Farage is no longer leader… - A decision facing the Welsh Gov about a major infrastructure project. - A new Welsh independence poll that should be a real concern for unionists. willhaywardwales.substack.com/p/what-happe...

Odds on this being "for the people of Clacton to decide"?

This would never have happened under Count Binface.

A friend and I have launched a new media company for Wales providing local news. Fully details here: willhaywardwales.substack.com/p/what-comes...