Who Cares About Wales? Why this book matters

Who Cares About Wales? is a really interesting readable book about how Wales (with just 3 million or so people compared to 58 million people in England) often gets short-changed politically. This is not a book about Welsh independence, more about how this beautifully country is simply not appreciated or treated as well, even in comparison to Scotland.

As an example, he talks about the role of the Prince of Wales. While King Charles III (while holding the title) did attempt to learn a bit of Welsh – when his mother the Queen died, Prince William took on the role.

Yet not only has no attempt been made to learn Welsh, but he publicly told the English football team during a major tournament that ‘the whole country is behind you’. Despite Wales having its own proud football team.

The author says this would never happen to upset the Scots, so why is acceptable for the Welsh?

Wales has high rates of child poverty. Yet desite 70% of recipients having jobs, both the Tories and Reform UK would reinstate the two child benefit cap, plunging many children back into poverty.

There are lots of ways that Wales is not treated well by national government. It the UK’s highest rates of long-term limiting illness, and way less electrified railways compared to Scotland and southeast England.

By the end, you’ll be aware just how in-baked’ prejudice is against Wales, from central Westminster. Worth reading!

Fewer than half of the people in Wales even bother to vote in our elections. If we want this thing called Wales to work, we need to do more. The greatest block to making Wales prosperous isn’t our substandard politicians, it is the apathy of our people and how disengaged they are from the nation they love.

There is a reason why Scotland so often gets a much better deal than Wales – they are always willing to cause a fuss.

Who wrote this book?

Will Hayward has been called Wales’ best journalist, and the winner of many political writing awards. He also lectures on journalism in Cardiff, and writes on subjects like poverty, politics and domestic abuse. He recently became one of a handful of journalists who were banned from the Reform UK (‘free speech’) conference. Two years in a row!