Morgan Barber-Rogers

I was recently on a panel with a senior Welsh Reform politician and we were asked about devolving the Crown Estate. He said that Wales shouldn't have more powers because "we are not very good in Wales at being efficient in running things". There are a few points I would make about the comment: 1. There are legitimate arguments for not devolving the Crown Estate. I chronicle them in my book. I do on balance believe it would be better for Wales if it was devolved (or at least the money from it was sent directly to Wales) but it is not inherently “anti-Wales” to be hesitant about the devolution of the Crown Estate. 2. However, the argument that “we are not very good in Wales at being efficient” is one of the most infantile descriptions of a nation I have ever heard, especially coming from a man/party who claimed they wanted to lead that nation. The idea that Wales and the Welsh are uniquely incapable of running something illustrates a level of self-hate and lack of confidence that we need to shed. It’s a narrative that holds us back more than almost anything. 3. Nothing says “I don’t think we will ever run the Welsh Government” like this statement. If Reform really believed they would one day have the levers of government at their disposal, they wouldn’t be so quick to deny Wales having them.

There is clearly a serious issue with some of the postal votes in the Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf seat for the Senedd election. Cardiff Council have sent the following message to some people in the area who hadn't received their postal votes. They say they will now be "hand-delivering postal vote packs on Tuesday 5 May 2026". Really not good with the vote on Thursday.