Siôn Jenkins

Cyflwynydd & Gohebydd | Presenter & Reporter
@ITVWales • @YBydarBedwar • @PawbAiFarn • @S4C

[Siôn Jenkins @Sion_J]

From BBC Wales’ virtual Assembly Chamber as presenter in 2007 to Wales’ real-life Senedd Chamber as First Minister in 2026.

[Rob Osborne @mrrobosborne]

“Time for a change.”

I’ve reported those words often enough. Now they apply to me.

After an amazing 18 years at ITV News, I’ve decided the time has come to move on. A proper goodbye will come later, but for now: my colleagues, past and present, are among the best in the business. I’ll miss them and will continue championing their superb journalism. ITV News in the nations and regions is a national asset and should be treasured.

So, what next?

🔴 I’m launching Think Like a Journalist®, a media and communications consultancy helping leaders and organisations spot the story, prepare for scrutiny and communicate clearly.

We launch formally later this year, but I’m already starting conversations. Message me if it sounds relevant.

🟢 Once a journalist, always a journalist. I will pop up from time to time here or there. I'm also launching a new podcast called Wales and Westminster with @lauraemilyd. She has advised governments from the inside; I’ve scrutinised them from the outside.

It promises to be a hoot. Coming soon…

🟣 And finally, because of these changes, I'm able to devote time to issues I care about. So I'm pleased to say I’m also joining Mencap in an external affairs capacity in Wales. It's a cause that means a great deal to me personally.

The new chapter begins next month.

[Siôn Jenkins @Sion_J]

@Haydn_Llangain Diolch, Haydn - caredig iawn! 🥸

[S4C 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @S4C]

Wrth i gynghorau Cymru gael yr hawl i godi treth dwristiaeth o 2027, mae Y Byd ar Bedwar yn clywed y dadleuon o blaid ac yn erbyn, ac mae Siôn Jenkins yn teithio i Ffrainc i weld effaith y dreth yno.

As councils in Wales gain the power to introduce a tourism tax from 2027, Y Byd ar Bedwar hears the arguments for and against, while Siôn Jenkins travels to France to see the impact the tax has had there.

🌎 Y Byd ar Bedwar
🕗 Nos Lun | 20:00

[Newyddion S4C @NewyddionS4C]

🇫🇷 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Yn Ffrainc, mae’r taxe de séjour, neu dreth dwristiaeth, wedi ei chyflwyno ers 1910.

Yma yng Nghymru, o 2027 ymlaen, bydd gan gynghorau lleol y dewis o godi tâl ychwanegol ar bobl sy'n aros dros nos mewn llety twristiaeth.

Fyddech chi’n croesawu’r dreth?

[Siôn Jenkins @Sion_J]

Stating the obvious here, but these American World Cup stadiums are on a completely different level, aren’t they? Eons ahead of our puny little British ones, and none built specifically for the competition - all already in use. Beautiful, breathtaking behemoths.

[Siôn Jenkins @Sion_J]

Ein hymchwiliad diweddara’ ar Y Byd ar Bedwar - Taliadau Tawel Brynffynnon.

🔗 https://t.co/StPQujhZiV

[Newyddion S4C @NewyddionS4C]

Wrth i Gyngor Gwynedd ymddiheuro i gyn-ddisgyblion gafodd eu cam-drin mewn uned addysg, mae ‘na alwadau am ymchwiliad cyhoeddus i'w mesurau diogelu plant.

Beth ddigwyddodd ar ôl i Ganolfan Brynffynnon gau?

🌍 Y Byd ar Bedwar
⏰ Nos Lun | 20:00

[Newyddion S4C @NewyddionS4C]

Mae @CyngorGwynedd wedi ymddiheuro i ddisgyblion oedd yn mynychu Canolfan Brynffynnon yn Y Felinheli a gafodd eu cam-drin.

https://t.co/LERCod2Iqm

[Siôn Jenkins @Sion_J]

Interesting that Mark Drakeford’s main reason for backing Burnham is that he’s “not London-based”. Not necessarily because of any personal qualities; but because of the need to get the party out of its London bubble and back to its roots.

[Channel 4 News @Channel4News]

Mark Drakeford, former First Minister of Wales, said Starmer’s position is “irrecoverable” and suggested he should step down as Labour leader due to concerns over his personal standing and ability to lead effectively.

[Andy Davies @adavies4]

🚨EXCL: Mark Drakeford, former Labour First Minister of Wales, calls on Keir Starmer to set a timetable to step down as Prime Minister and backs Andy Burnham

In his first interview since Labour’s disastrous Welsh Parliament elections, he tells me:

• The situation for the PM is “irrecoverable”
• Suggests a contest could happen over the summer with a “new Prime Minister in place for September”
• Supports Andy Burnham to become the next Labour leader and Prime Minister - and intends to campaign for him in Makerfield.
• Believes “a strong majority of Welsh Labour members” will want to support Burnham
• Says the level of hostility towards the Labour Party which he encountered in the Senedd election campaign was something he’d never experienced in over 50 years of campaigning
• On Eluned Morgan, the former Labour First Minister, losing her seat: a “desperately sad moment”
• Claims lack of further powers devolved to Wales by the Keir Starmer administration "cut the ground from under us” in Welsh Labour's Senedd campaign

Part of our exchange here
Full interview to follow in next post ⬇️🧵

[Siôn Jenkins @Sion_J]

Some essential political reading here.

Snapshots from across the UK of Labour’s demise, including a storming analysis of Welsh Labour by @dai_alectic whose further thoughts can be found here: https://t.co/A1y3bLbQb9

[Future of the Left @FutureLeft1]

Last week, the country expressed itself at the ballot box. While Westminster once again obsesses about Westminster, we are publishing dispatches from across the country - from Margate to Liverpool, South Wales to Newcastle, Bromley to Blackburn.

Read below.

[Siôn Jenkins @Sion_J]

@dmcbfs Never! (Never! Never!)

[Siôn Jenkins @Sion_J]

@C4Ciaran @adavies4 Yes! Alongside a young @Joe___Allen.

[Rhys Williams﮷ @RhysWilliamsTV]

A strange exchange this morning with one of Labour's nine remaining members of the Senedd.

Mike Hedges refused to stop to talk to @itvnews and instead appeared to blame the media for last week's election result.

[Siôn Jenkins @Sion_J]

Helen Mary Jones’ reaction halfway through this clip is what the 👀 emoji was made for.

[ITV Wales News @ITVWales]

Former First Minister Vaughan Gething says he would have done things differently if he had been in charge of Welsh Labour ahead of the Senedd Election.

[That's Devolved @ThatsDevolved]

The view from Cardiff today.

[Siôn Jenkins @Sion_J]

ELECTED:
1. Adrian Gwyn Mason (Reform)
2. Llŷr Gruffydd (Plaid)
3. Darren Millar (Cons)
4. Louise Gail Emery (Reform)
5. Becca Martin (Plaid)
6. Thomas Montgomery (Reform)

Hannah Blythyn (Lab) OUT

[Siôn Jenkins @Sion_J]

CLWYD RESULT:
Reform: 25,741
Plaid: 22,583
Cons: 16,193
Labour: 8,314
Lib Dems: 2,355
Greens: 4,219

[Siôn Jenkins @Sion_J]

The returning officer here has rejected a request for a full recount. (I’m told Labour, the Conservatives and the Greens asked for one.)

Things not looking good for Labour. Hannah Blythyn was here, but seems to have disappeared. 👀

Hearing it’ll be 3 Reform, 2 Plaid, 1 Cons.

[Siôn Jenkins @Sion_J]

Recount - or what has technically been described to me as a “bundle flip” - to take place in Clwyd.

Have been told that both the Conservatives and Labour called for it.