Laura McAllister to give prestigious lecture on Wales’ political future

Professor Laura McAllister will deliver the Welsh Political Archive’s annual lecture tomorrow (Wednesday).
 
Streamed online from Cardiff, she will analyse contemporary Wales, the urgent need for constructive change and offer ideas on creating a new contract between the people and the state.
 
The Professor of Public Policy and the Governance of Wales at the Wales Governance Centre, Cardiff University said: “By drawing on my personal as well as professional background in sport and politics, this lecture will challenge us as individuals as well as organisations to rethink how we do politics, and how we can breed better confidence in our country, over time, which could bring a new psychology of success.”
 
Rob Phillips, from the Welsh Political Archive, which is based at the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth, said: "We are very proud to be able to welcome Professor Laura McAllister to deliver this year's lecture at such an interesting time in Welsh politics.
 
“The lecture is the pinnacle of the political archive's calendar and especially this year as part of its 40th celebrations. The lecture will be an opportunity to look forward to future developments while we celebrate the great political collections in the library which preserving the history of Welsh politics for the benefit of the people."
 
McAllister’s research focuses on Welsh politics and elections, devolution, electoral reform and gender in politics. She was recently elected as UEFA vice president and member of the executive committee. She is also co-chair of the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales.
 
The Welsh Political Archive was established in 1983 to co-ordinate the collection of documentary evidence of all kinds about politics in Wales.
 
It collects records and papers of political parties, politicians, semi-political organisations, campaigns and pressure groups; leaflets, pamphlets and other printed ephemera; posters and photographs; websites and tapes of radio and television programmes. Its work is not limited to a specific section of the library.
 
The annual lecture was first held in 1987 and a number of academics, journalists, historians and politicians have had the opportunity to speak.
 
Previous lecturers include Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos, Lord Roberts of Conwy, John Davies, Lord Bourne, Jeremy Bowen and Professor Angela John.
 
Tickets for the event and for the online stream can be ordered free of charge on the Library website: https://www.library.wales/