Who Cares About Wales? Why the Welsh need to get Angry
BY David Edwards
16 April 2026
A crowded hall in Llanelli heard a presentation by multi award winning political journalist and Guardian columnist Will Hayward, outlining his new book 'Who cares about Wales?...Why the Welsh need to get angry'.
The audience heard Will explain his extensively researched thesis that the current political situation in Wales is unacceptable, and that it’s people - especially the young - are let down by a system that " keeps us alive but doesn't help us get better."
"We need to make life difficult for Westminster politicians", Will explained, describing how Scotland has been much more successful than Wales both in setting up devolution and benefitting from it: 'Scotland has not been afraid to rock the boat'.
Discussing the likely outcome of the upcoming Senedd elections, Will explained how the voting population has become more polarised in recent years. This, together with the enlarged Senedd and new voting system, was likely to result in some form of coalition. He hoped that the increased number of politicians would improve the quality of representation and commented that there is a difference between governing - which is what we have experienced so far - and leading Wales.
Wills talk, though serious, was presented in a very humorous and accessible way, illustrated by examples taken from transport, healthcare, economic research and welfare, amongst others.
In the subsequent question and answer session Will explored how an incoming Senedd, whether Plaid or Reform led, would need to develop ways of getting concessions from Westminster and of standing up for Wales, whether in matters of culture, innovation and research, transport, healthcare or taxation. 'At present, devolution for Wales has allocated responsibility without providing the necessary resources: this has to change', he said.
In concluding the event, Chair Richard Talog Jones thanked both Will and the enthusiastic audience and encouraged them to become WEA members and also to purchase Will's new book 'Who cares about Wales', published by Y Lolfa at £14.99. Many of the audience did!
