It's October 2025, there is an absolutely crucial Senedd by election on the horizon that Welsh Labour has to win to retain a governing majority and pass a budget. But there's an unprecedented election on the horizon using a new voting system and new constituencies. Welsh Labour is trailing in the polls to a buoyant Plaid Cymru and an insurgent Reform UK, its links to a struggling UK Labour Govt are weighing it down, and no-one will be minded to be seen helping them pass a budget in the months before the election. It sets the stage for a financial crisis and potentially the end of the longest election-winning streak in the democratic world, and will put Wales front and centre of the UK's political news for the first time. We set the scene drawing on our hosts experience and insight! Your hosts: - Prof Laura McAllister of the Wales Governance Centre at Cardiff University, former national football team captain and Vice President at UEFA - Lauren McEvatt, former Conservative Special Advisor to the Wales Office in UK Govt - Lee Waters, Labour Party Member of the Senedd for Llanelli and former Welsh Govt Minister Find us on the socials: YouTube: www.youtube.com/@WelshPoliticsPod TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@welshpolitics Instagram: www.instagram.com/welshpoliticspod/ X: www.x.com/WelshPolitics99 BlueSky: www.bsky.app/profile/welshpolitics.bsky.social Web: www.welsh-politics.com Produced by Richard Martin for Mimosa Cymru Artwork by Alison Hurren Music: Where Is It Instrumental by Jonworthymusic Press/Media queries to podcast@welsh-poilitics.com