Matthew Fright
@matthewfright.bsky.social
Senior Researcher @instituteforgovernment.org.uk Public Services & Devolution, formerly @nao.org.uk analyst. PhD on history of national income accounts. Views are my own.
The chart shows the councils where elections are being postponed by political leadership. Reform don't lead any of the councils where elections are being postponed.
January 29, 2026 at 2:31 PM
The chart shows the councils where elections are being postponed by political leadership. Reform don't lead any of the councils where elections are being postponed.
Crown Estate: outlines that Scotland has this devolved. Says Wales can too. Voices concerns about how Welsh resources are exploited. But also says Wales left with the legacies wrt coal tips, resources which powered the UK but have left a major challenge.
January 22, 2026 at 12:02 PM
Crown Estate: outlines that Scotland has this devolved. Says Wales can too. Voices concerns about how Welsh resources are exploited. But also says Wales left with the legacies wrt coal tips, resources which powered the UK but have left a major challenge.
FM: unapologetically a euro enthusiast. Says the damage done to Wales is well documented and wants as close a relationship with EU as possible and as frictionless a market as possible. They will want to determine what that relationship is. The EU will not open arms immediately
January 22, 2026 at 12:00 PM
FM: unapologetically a euro enthusiast. Says the damage done to Wales is well documented and wants as close a relationship with EU as possible and as frictionless a market as possible. They will want to determine what that relationship is. The EU will not open arms immediately
Will not be drawn on discussions about the prospects of a coalition with Plaid. Emphasises it will be a Welsh Labour decision and that she wants to be the major partner in any such relationship.
January 22, 2026 at 11:58 AM
Will not be drawn on discussions about the prospects of a coalition with Plaid. Emphasises it will be a Welsh Labour decision and that she wants to be the major partner in any such relationship.
Will independence parties leading in Wales and Scotland shift the debate on devo? Yes FM argues saying "the threat is real" argues this makes the case for better embrace of devo
January 22, 2026 at 11:57 AM
Will independence parties leading in Wales and Scotland shift the debate on devo? Yes FM argues saying "the threat is real" argues this makes the case for better embrace of devo
On Recycling - says EU internal market framework shows you can work cross border and have flexibility. Wants UKG to recognise this. Argues there are opportunities for consumer and the environment and don't want to be held back by UKG.
January 22, 2026 at 11:56 AM
On Recycling - says EU internal market framework shows you can work cross border and have flexibility. Wants UKG to recognise this. Argues there are opportunities for consumer and the environment and don't want to be held back by UKG.
Now on Brown Commission report, reflecting on her experience in House of Lords that it is very London focused. Feels the way Welsh concerns during Brexit were overlooked in the House of Lords illustrates the need for structures that ensure greater representation of Welsh voices.
January 22, 2026 at 11:55 AM
Now on Brown Commission report, reflecting on her experience in House of Lords that it is very London focused. Feels the way Welsh concerns during Brexit were overlooked in the House of Lords illustrates the need for structures that ensure greater representation of Welsh voices.
Makes the case that further work is needed to explain the changes of the new electoral system upcoming for Senedd elections 2026.
January 22, 2026 at 11:52 AM
Makes the case that further work is needed to explain the changes of the new electoral system upcoming for Senedd elections 2026.
Argues the emphasis on the response to poverty has shifted compared to the WG under Mark Drakeford by emphasising the importance of jobs in targeting poverty reduction.
January 22, 2026 at 11:51 AM
Argues the emphasis on the response to poverty has shifted compared to the WG under Mark Drakeford by emphasising the importance of jobs in targeting poverty reduction.
Following a question from an entrepreneur. Makes the case that change of government could lead to a focus on restructure of bodies like the Welsh Development Agency which the FM argues works well. Argues that either Reform or Plaid could lead to instability.
January 22, 2026 at 11:49 AM
Following a question from an entrepreneur. Makes the case that change of government could lead to a focus on restructure of bodies like the Welsh Development Agency which the FM argues works well. Argues that either Reform or Plaid could lead to instability.
and its to be expected people will disagree when operating in a devolved context.
January 22, 2026 at 11:45 AM
and its to be expected people will disagree when operating in a devolved context.
If there were an effective relationship with UKG would FM need to make this speech? FM says there have been improvement in areas e.g. bigger budgets, this is improving lives. But argues will always stand up for Wales and make the case for Wale when she sees Wales being treated unfairly...
January 22, 2026 at 11:44 AM
If there were an effective relationship with UKG would FM need to make this speech? FM says there have been improvement in areas e.g. bigger budgets, this is improving lives. But argues will always stand up for Wales and make the case for Wale when she sees Wales being treated unfairly...
Will Starmer engage with these calls? FM says UKG is still settling into government. There is a danger and threat to the union from two pro independence parties potentially able to secure a majority. Now is the time for UKG to engage.
January 22, 2026 at 11:43 AM
Will Starmer engage with these calls? FM says UKG is still settling into government. There is a danger and threat to the union from two pro independence parties potentially able to secure a majority. Now is the time for UKG to engage.
When asked what would do differently with new powers / funding, FM emphasises the importance of fairness and argues that successes on Welsh rail demonstrates new powers and funding lead to better delivery.
January 22, 2026 at 11:41 AM
When asked what would do differently with new powers / funding, FM emphasises the importance of fairness and argues that successes on Welsh rail demonstrates new powers and funding lead to better delivery.
When asked about the letter from 11 MSs on the "roll back of devo" EM argues there should be no surprise. Devolution means difference - emphasises ways that she has stood up to UKG in areas such as winter fuel and two child cap
January 22, 2026 at 11:39 AM
When asked about the letter from 11 MSs on the "roll back of devo" EM argues there should be no surprise. Devolution means difference - emphasises ways that she has stood up to UKG in areas such as winter fuel and two child cap
Makes the case of the importance of being the first woman as FM. Says women came forward in the listening exercise to emphasise the importance of womens' health provision.
January 22, 2026 at 11:35 AM
Makes the case of the importance of being the first woman as FM. Says women came forward in the listening exercise to emphasise the importance of womens' health provision.
Talking about taking over the office, recalls the listening exercise she launched when taking over the role and how this informed her priorities: jobs and health as a priority.
January 22, 2026 at 11:35 AM
Talking about taking over the office, recalls the listening exercise she launched when taking over the role and how this informed her priorities: jobs and health as a priority.
Calls for a new constitutional reform act putting Sewell on a constitutional footing, reform and replacement of UK Internal Market Act, and move to abolish the House of Lords to develop a chamber/Senate of the Nations and Regions - echoing the Brown Commission.
January 22, 2026 at 11:33 AM
Calls for a new constitutional reform act putting Sewell on a constitutional footing, reform and replacement of UK Internal Market Act, and move to abolish the House of Lords to develop a chamber/Senate of the Nations and Regions - echoing the Brown Commission.
Calls for new devo powers in over areas such as the Crown Estate and Devo. Wanting as a minimum the probation devo that Manchester has. If Manchester has it why can't Wales asks the FM. Calls for stronger protections for devo.
January 22, 2026 at 11:31 AM
Calls for new devo powers in over areas such as the Crown Estate and Devo. Wanting as a minimum the probation devo that Manchester has. If Manchester has it why can't Wales asks the FM. Calls for stronger protections for devo.