Will Hayward set to release third book on Welsh politics ahead of Senedd election
Amelia Jones
Investigative journalist and columnist Will Hayward is releasing his third book this week, continuing his deep dive into the issues facing Wales today.
Hayward has built a reputation as one of Wales’ most insightful commentators on politics and public affairs. His writing has featured in The Guardian, and he is a familiar voice on radio and television, unpacking complex issues for a broad audience.
The book titled ‘Who Cares About Wales?:Why The Welsh Need To Get Angry,’ is due to be published 13 March.
It promises to challenge readers with an unflinching look at the political, economic and social forces shaping life in Wales.
The book has been described as “an easy-to-read but forensic investigation into just how Wales has been short-changed by both Westminster and its own government in Cardiff Bay since devolution. This is a rallying cry to the people who call Cymru home to demand and expect better.”
Hayward argues that too often Welsh voices are overlooked or misunderstood in public debate, and he hopes the book will spark conversation and action across communities.
Making the announcement on Instagram, Hayward said: “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.
“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.”
The book is being released ahead of the Senedd election in May, at a time when debates about governance, public services, and Wales’ future are particularly topical.
You can order the book here.
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The Senedd has become increasingly detached from reality in Wales. The M4 Relief Road is wanted by the vast majority but that has been ignored in Cardiff Bay. Precisely nobody wanted a blanket 20 MPH policy yet the Government decided to make that a flagship policy to the bemusement of a nation. The phrase “Out of Touch” is overused in politics but Welsh Labour has become too embroiled in its own ideological agenda and become completely detached to the needs of real life in Wales.
Everyone you talk to in the mirror might want a relief road but are they prepared to take billions out of health to pay for it? Or do they agree with Nigel it should be funded by an M4 toll.
That’s a short-sighted argument. The problems with the M4 around Newport are costing our economy greatly and that in turn means less economic activity to generate wealth and tax revenue to fund social spending.
Anyway, Drakefords argument was not based on saving the money to spend on health. His argument was about ecology. If we want a prosperous Wales we have to get serious and hard headed about infrastructure decisions. I fear that Plaids vision is more about sitting in wildflower meadows singing folk songs than it is about jobs, business development and wealth creation.
There’s nothing short-sighted about asking how it should be funded.
What you forget is that a free road must be paid for out of Welsh Gov coffers which means less for health, while the benefits of extra taxes and reduced benefit spending flows to London who contribute zero.
That’s why Farage wants to fund it with tolls on the whole M4.
And Mr Drakeford cancelled it on cost grounds first and environmental grounds second. Because the environmental grounds are also cost grounds since with more money the environmental concerns can be mitigated.
If it is harder / slower to pass Newport, more business people will fly Cardiff to their destination via Amsterdam on KLM than drive to Bristol Airport. KLMs Amsterdam hub connects to global destinations. Heathrow is easy to get to from Swansea (mush easier that Northern Scotland for example). I have zero interest in holiday flights, as they will not drive long-term economic growth. If it takes too long to get to a destination by car, the business person hopefully will travel by train – so less pollution / govt subsidy for train network. If it is harder for individuals… Read more »
Brynglas congestion doesn’t affect this sort of decision because people heading off on holiday just travel off-peak to avoid delays.
The way to drive up public transport use is to make it more attractive. No-one would drive from Swansea to London if the train took 50 minutes as it would if the line ran at Shinkansen speeds and cost less than a coach.
Its not the Senedd that’s the problem its the Welsh Labour Government. If we don’t like their policies then we vote them out, and so far it is looking that way.
You are correct but it’s not enough to vote out Labour – we need to vote out their agenda too. As far as I can see, Plaid is offering to continue the same Labour agenda.