Reposted by Lee WatersSam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Every private conversation in Westminster: "Well the triple lock obviously has to go at some point". Every commentator on Burnham: "completely mad to propose getting rid of triple lock - political suicide". 39623127
Lee Waters @waterslee.bsky.social · 29/09/2026These are all still officially Welsh Labour policies. Not that you’d know it. 166
Reposted by Lee WatersAlan Rusbridger @arusbridger.bsky.social · 19/09/2026If you add in £130m losses on “Reform TV” (aka GB News) the effective subsidy of Farage’s party from just four men tops £200m. You just have to join the dots app.prospectmagazine.co.uk/story/75017/...app.prospectmagazine.co.ukFarage and the £130m even his detractors have missedGB news has provided relentless positive PR for Nigel Farage while racking up tens of millions in financial losses. And now there is a new channel in the offing 351311650
Reposted by Lee WatersThe Welsh Politics Pod @welshpolitics.bsky.social · 17/09/2026"The answer may lie in the reality that the centre will only devolve power if it is used in a way it approves of." - Lee Waters for @labourlist.bsky.social 👇 labourlist.org/2026/09/devo...labourlist.org'Devolution is fine, but letting go is harder' - LabourListWhile Westminster remains reluctant to surrender power and Cardiff Bay remains reluctant to reform itself Wales is stuck in stalemate. 002
Reposted by Lee WatersLee Waters @waterslee.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Westminster remains reluctant to surrender power. Cardiff Bay remains reluctant to reform itself. My piece for @labourlist.bsky.social labourlist.org/2026/09/devo...labourlist.org'Devolution is fine, but letting go is harder' - LabourListWhile Westminster remains reluctant to surrender power and Cardiff Bay remains reluctant to reform itself Wales is stuck in stalemate. 056
Lee Waters @waterslee.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Westminster remains reluctant to surrender power. Cardiff Bay remains reluctant to reform itself. My piece for @labourlist.bsky.social labourlist.org/2026/09/devo...labourlist.org'Devolution is fine, but letting go is harder' - LabourListWhile Westminster remains reluctant to surrender power and Cardiff Bay remains reluctant to reform itself Wales is stuck in stalemate. 056
Reposted by Lee Watersmattevansc3.bsky.social @mattevansc3.bsky.social · 14/09/2026@waterslee.bsky.social very much in line with your blog posts. NPTC voted for it but can’t have it because the work needs to be done in Swansea. TFW budgeted for it but can’t pay for it because it’s technically rail and therefore not devolved and DfT won’t approve it. 012
Reposted by Lee Watersjohnrwilliams.bsky.social @johnrwilliams.bsky.social · 13/09/2026"Despite the hopeful rhetoric, we seem to have another [PM] who does not appear to appreciate the devolved context... [He] should make it explicit that he understands it’s for the Senedd & Welsh Government to decide the regional pattern in Wales, not the UK Government." nation.cymru/feature/the-...nation.cymruThe Blind Spot and the Bluff - Why growth in every postcode needs more than devolutionLee Waters What does Andy Burnham’s pledge to deliver “deeper devolution” to trigger economic growth ‘in every postcode’ mean? The Welsh Government are rightly defensive about guarding the boundaries ... 021
Reposted by Lee WatersLee Waters @waterslee.bsky.social · 13/09/2026The devolution double-standards, and how it lets us off the hook nation.cymru/feature/the-...nation.cymruThe Blind Spot and the Bluff - Why growth in every postcode needs more than devolutionLee Waters What does Andy Burnham’s pledge to deliver “deeper devolution” to trigger economic growth ‘in every postcode’ mean? The Welsh Government are rightly defensive about guarding the boundaries ... 055
Lee Waters @waterslee.bsky.social · 13/09/2026The devolution double-standards, and how it lets us off the hook nation.cymru/feature/the-...nation.cymruThe Blind Spot and the Bluff - Why growth in every postcode needs more than devolutionLee Waters What does Andy Burnham’s pledge to deliver “deeper devolution” to trigger economic growth ‘in every postcode’ mean? The Welsh Government are rightly defensive about guarding the boundaries ... 055
Lee Waters @waterslee.bsky.social · 10/09/2026There's a deal to be done on devolution between Andy Burnham and Rhun ap lorweth. Here's why... amanwy.blogspot.com/2026/09/the-...amanwy.blogspot.comThe Blind Spot and the Bluff - Why Growth in Every Postcode Needs More Than DevolutionWhat does Andy Burnham’s pledge to deliver "deeper devolution" to trigger economic growth ‘in every postcode’ mean? The Welsh Government a... 132
Reposted by Lee WatersDaniel Wincott @danielwincott.bsky.social · 10/09/2026Should be essential reading for Andy Burnham. The UK gov forcing devolution from the Senedd to 22 local authorities would be constitutionally reckless and illiterate AND counterproductive for Burnham’s policy aims. 123
Reposted by Lee WatersLee Waters @waterslee.bsky.social · 09/09/2026Some thoughts on Burnham, Manchesterism and Wales amanwy.blogspot.com/2026/09/the-...amanwy.blogspot.comThe Blind Spot and the Bluff - Why Growth in Every Postcode Needs More Than DevolutionWhat does Andy Burnham’s pledge to deliver "deeper devolution" to trigger economic growth ‘in every postcode’ mean? The Welsh Government a... 178
Lee Waters @waterslee.bsky.social · 09/09/2026Some thoughts on Burnham, Manchesterism and Wales amanwy.blogspot.com/2026/09/the-...amanwy.blogspot.comThe Blind Spot and the Bluff - Why Growth in Every Postcode Needs More Than DevolutionWhat does Andy Burnham’s pledge to deliver "deeper devolution" to trigger economic growth ‘in every postcode’ mean? The Welsh Government a... 178
Reposted by Lee WatersLee Waters @waterslee.bsky.social · 03/09/2026Why does devolution to Wales face a different test to distributing powers to other parts of the UK? amanwy.blogspot.com/2026/09/ther...amanwy.blogspot.comThere may be trouble ahead...Sometimes it helps to look at things from the opposite point of view to your own: After a generation of devolved Government, with growing po... 196
Reposted by Lee Watersjohnrwilliams.bsky.social @johnrwilliams.bsky.social · 03/09/2026'"we have to be evidence-based ... really important to look at what are the costs & benefits of making change," said [Welsh SoS]... Trouble is there’s already been a huge amount of work testing the case for change which seems to have passed evidence-hungry MPs by' amanwy.blogspot.com/2026/09/ther...amanwy.blogspot.comThere may be trouble ahead...Sometimes it helps to look at things from the opposite point of view to your own: After a generation of devolved Government, with growing po... 2127
Lee Waters @waterslee.bsky.social · 03/09/2026Why does devolution to Wales face a different test to distributing powers to other parts of the UK? amanwy.blogspot.com/2026/09/ther...amanwy.blogspot.comThere may be trouble ahead...Sometimes it helps to look at things from the opposite point of view to your own: After a generation of devolved Government, with growing po... 196
Lee Waters @waterslee.bsky.social · 17/08/2026Why isn't there an industrial strategy for the hairdressing sector? 200,000 workers, mostly women, holding high streets and communities together. Interesting idea in a piece on the hollowness of the obsession with Manchesterism onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....onlinelibrary.wiley.comPolitical Economy of ManchesterismThis paper presents an intellectual history of Manchesterism. It explains the ruling ideas that have shaped the recent development of Greater Manchester and critically assesses their application. It ... 010
Reposted by Lee WatersDr Adam Evans @a-b-evans.bsky.social · 01/08/2026Unfortunately there’s only one plausible next step for Infantino if his reign at FIFA does come to an end: Group Chief Executive of the Welsh Rugby Union… 24013
Lee Waters @waterslee.bsky.social · 31/07/2026There’s a fresh debate about whether it’s worth still having a separate Secretary of State for Wales If you are in any doubt about the value of the role read this candid interview with former office holder Simon Hart www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/ministers-re...instituteforgovernment.org.ukSimon Hart | Institute for GovernmentSimon Hart discusses his time in government as secretary of state for Wales during the Covid pandemic and his role as chief whip. 032
Lee Waters @waterslee.bsky.social · 20/07/2026I’m sorry the Welsh Secretary has been sacked from Cabinet. Instead of letting Eluned Morgan take responsibility for Labour’s performance in May’s election she should have resigned at that point and taken shared ownership of the result - we kept being told it was a ‘Partnership in Power’ after all 2134
Lee Waters @waterslee.bsky.social · 14/07/2026But in Wales the Inquiry reports there was no fraud, no conflicts of interest, no corruption concerns • No VIP lane • No reports of conflicts of interest • No suspected or attempted fraudulent PPE procurement • No cases reported to police or prosecutors www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukPPE failures left NHS staff poorly protected and wasted £10bn, Covid inquiry findsHealthcare staff were unable to properly protect themselves, or those in their care, from dangerous infections, says the latest inquiry report. 0158
Reposted by Lee WatersNationCymru @nation.cymru · 11/07/2026While there is no doubt that Andy Burnham gets decentralisation, it is not yet clear if he understands the interplay with national identity. All the signs are though that voters do✍️ Lee Waters wp.me/p8Mk4U-1oRi 066
Reposted by Lee WatersDr Adam Evans @a-b-evans.bsky.social · 11/07/2026For those interested in Welsh politics, this is an interesting piece by @waterslee.bsky.social on what a Burnham govt might mean for Wales - esp. in relation to the debate within Labour between advocates of further devolution to, & of decentralisation within, Wales #devolution #senedd 003
Lee Waters @waterslee.bsky.social · 11/07/2026What we know about what Andy Burnham means for Wales Trying to fill in the blanks… amanwy.blogspot.com/2026/07/watc...amanwy.blogspot.comWatching, and waiting“I see this as a last chance to change, for the Labour Party and politics more generally. People are giving up on it and that has got to be ... 152
Reposted by Lee WatersThe Welsh Politics Pod @welshpolitics.bsky.social · 24/05/2026From our latest (and final... perhaps!) pod, Lee questions the lessons that the Labour Party in Wales is - or isn't - taking from the devastating losses for the party in Scotland. from which is has never recovered. @lauramcallister30.bsky.social #Wales #Cymru 3148
Reposted by Lee WatersAlex Andreou @sturdyalex.bsky.social · 10/09/2025NOTHING will prepare you for this 45-second story arc. From "I'm just doing this because I love the flag, it's totally grassroots, and I'm not part of anything political"... to who actually gave him the flags the night before. Anyone who believes it is an innocent movement needs to see this. 36839261977
Reposted by Lee WatersDave Vetter @davidrvetter.bsky.social · 11/09/2025A truly bizarre article about Reform and the Heartland Institute that astonishingly omits to mention that Heartland is funded by and represents the US oil industry. 620483
Lee Waters @waterslee.bsky.social · 11/09/2025“For Farage, being close to the US president is an end, not a means. It is a kind of social revenge” - excellent column by Janan Ganesh in the FT on.ft.com/4m5JKdJ 021
Lee Waters @waterslee.bsky.social · 11/09/2025"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" - George Santayana 041
Lee Waters @waterslee.bsky.social · 10/09/2025That's even better! Temporary art is a living thing www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... 071
Lee Waters @waterslee.bsky.social · 10/09/2025A virtue of a necessity. I suspect Welsh VCs will resist, until they can't. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukGreenwich and Kent announce merger to form 'super-university'Universities are facing ongoing financial worries, with the regulator saying other mergers could follow. 010
Lee Waters @waterslee.bsky.social · 09/09/2025Dockless bicycles become the ‘winners’ of London’s Tube strike on.ft.com/3V5Cp31 2253
Reposted by Lee WatersJohn Burn-Murdoch @jburnmurdoch.ft.com · 09/09/2025British NIMBYism is truly a sight to behold. “We are rejecting this solar farm, because one time I saw an electric vehicle on fire, which reminded me that decades ago a coal mining disaster killed lots of children”. 1631675541
Reposted by Lee WatersCoach Finstock @coachfinstock.bsky.social · 09/09/2025Media when doctor shows up at WH while Biden is in office: President Definitely Has Parkinsons Media when a drawing of a young girl in a birthday card to the world's most famous pedophile is signed by the current President: we've seen no wrongdoing 572612585
Reposted by Lee WatersMichael Hobbes @michaelhobbes.bsky.social · 09/09/2025Basically every trip in London is fastest by bike, it’s remarkable 1442913
Reposted by Lee WatersSam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 09/09/2025Will this get as much attention at that poll showing Reform on 35% a few weeks ago? Ofc not. Always look at trends not individual polls. 42727184
Lee Waters @waterslee.bsky.social · 09/09/2025What a great shot Robin Weaver — Neighbours in Blaencwm, 1973 britishculturearchive.co.uk/product/neig... 020
Lee Waters @waterslee.bsky.social · 08/09/2025Talk about tone deaf… www.thetimes.com/article/6bd1... 331
Reposted by Lee WatersGuardian Environment @environment.theguardian.com · 08/09/2025Disposable face masks used during Covid have left chemical timebomb, research suggeststheguardian.comDisposable face masks used during Covid have left chemical timebomb, research suggestsAt height of pandemic 129bn were being used every month around the world, with no recycling stream 067
Reposted by Lee WatersStephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 08/09/2025Narrator: they did not, in fact, get anything in the reshuffle:gov.ukMinisterial appointments: September 2025The King has been pleased to approve the following appointments. 1819335
Lee Waters @waterslee.bsky.social · 08/09/2025£100m profit last year. A company that has lost its way. 060
Reposted by Lee WatersGovernor JB Pritzker @govpritzker.illinois.gov · 06/09/2025The President of the United States is threatening to go to war with an American city. This is not a joke. This is not normal. Donald Trump isn't a strongman, he's a scared man. Illinois won’t be intimidated by a wannabe dictator. 20193562410927
Reposted by Lee WatersDon Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · 06/09/2025Another example of civil society censoring itself, creating a simulacrum of normality when things are not normal 922317693
Reposted by Lee WatersDr Rachel Clarke @drrachelclarke.com · 06/09/2025This is exactly the kind of despicable scaremongering that Aseem Malhotra has made his modus operandi. Insinuations, hearsay, anti-vaxx, non-evidence-based, lurid, self-enriching, anti-scientific claptrap. Of course Reform UK lapped it up. 1/4 1331754556
Lee Waters @waterslee.bsky.social · 05/09/2025Just as he was doing interesting stuff on digital he gets moved. Crazy way to run a country 581
