Key Points
- Welsh Musicians’ Union (MU) members met Labour Senedd candidates last week to discuss the future of the music industry in Wales ahead of the 7 May elections.
- MU Regional Organiser for Wales and South West England, Andy Warnock, led a delegation of Welsh Union members in a roundtable discussion.
- Participants included members from the Welsh National Opera orchestra, musicians in education, and those in the live sector.
- The conversation focused on music’s vital contribution to Wales’s economy, culture, and communities.
- Key challenges raised: arts funding pressures, sustainability of live venues, access to high-quality music education, long-term career development, and protecting Welsh music jobs.
- Union members presented the MU’s manifesto, which outlines priorities for fair pay, strong public investment, and long-term sustainability in the sector.
- Candidates engaged positively and received the manifesto calling for action in four areas: Growth and Innovation; Music for All; Local and International Success; and a Sustainable Culture Sector.
- Pictured participants (L-R): Andy Warnock, Shavanah Taj (standing in Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf), Peter Jenkins (standing in Ceredigion Penfro), Llinos Owen (MU member), David Miller (MU member), Huw Thomas (standing in Caerdydd Penarth), and Stephen Williams (MU member).
Wales (The Wales Times) – February 18, 2026 – Welsh members of the Musicians’ Union (MU) convened with Labour Senedd candidates last week for a pivotal roundtable discussion on safeguarding the music industry’s future in Wales. Led by MU Regional Organiser Andy Warnock, the meeting underscored the sector’s economic and cultural significance while presenting the Union’s manifesto priorities ahead of the 7 May Senedd elections.
- Key Points
- Who Attended the MU-Senedd Candidates Meeting?
- What Challenges Were Discussed in the Meeting?
- Why Is the MU Manifesto Crucial for Wales’s Music Sector?
- When and How Did the Meeting Take Place?
- What Role Does Music Play in Wales’s Economy and Communities?
- How Can Political Parties Respond to MU Priorities?
- What’s Next After the Roundtable Discussion?
- Broader Implications for Welsh Creative Industries
- Voices from the Delegation
- Election Context and Timing
The event united a diverse group of musicians, including those from the Welsh National Opera orchestra, education professionals, and live performance workers, to address pressing challenges facing the industry.
Who Attended the MU-Senedd Candidates Meeting?
Andy Warnock, MU Regional Organiser for Wales and South West England, spearheaded the delegation of Welsh Union members at the roundtable. As reported in the MU’s official coverage, the participants comprised musicians from varied fields: members of the Welsh National Opera orchestra, alongside those working in education and the live sector.
The Labour Senedd candidates present included Shavanah Taj, standing in Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf; Peter Jenkins, standing in Ceredigion Penfro; and Huw Thomas, standing in Caerdydd Penarth. MU members Llinos Owen, David Miller, and Stephen Williams also joined the pictured group, arranged left-to-right as: Andy Warnock, Shavanah Taj, Peter Jenkins, Llinos Owen, David Miller, Huw Thomas, and Stephen Williams.
This assembly highlighted a collaborative spirit, with candidates engaging directly with grassroots musicians to explore the music sector’s trajectory.
What Challenges Were Discussed in the Meeting?
The roundtable delved into critical issues impacting working musicians across Wales. Discussions spotlighted arts funding pressures, which threaten the sector’s viability amid rising costs and reduced public support.
Sustainability of live venues emerged as a core concern, with participants noting the fragility of performance spaces essential to local economies and communities. Access to high-quality music education was another focal point, emphasising the need for robust programmes to nurture future talent.
Long-term career development for musicians and the protection of Welsh music jobs rounded out the agenda, reflecting broader anxieties about job security in a competitive industry. As per the MU’s account, these topics underscored music’s indispensable role in Wales’s economy, culture, and social fabric.
Why Is the MU Manifesto Crucial for Wales’s Music Sector?
The Musicians’ Union presented its manifesto to the candidates, advocating for fair pay, strong public investment, and long-term sustainability throughout the music industry. This document sets out practical proposals to bolster cultural provision and foster growth in Wales’s creative industries.
Candidates responded positively, receiving the manifesto that demands commitments across four key areas. “Growth and Innovation” calls for policies spurring creativity and technological advancement in music production and performance.
“Music for All” prioritises inclusive access, ensuring education and opportunities reach diverse communities. “Local and International Success” aims to elevate Welsh talent on global stages while supporting domestic markets. Finally, “a Sustainable Culture Sector” pushes for resilient infrastructure, fair remuneration, and environmental considerations in operations.
When and How Did the Meeting Take Place?
Last week, the delegation convened for this strategic roundtable, timed strategically before the 7 May Senedd elections. Andy Warnock joined fellow Welsh Union members to facilitate open dialogue with Labour hopefuls.
The format allowed musicians to voice real-world experiences, from orchestra pits to classroom settings and gig circuits. No specific quotes from individual attendees were detailed in the coverage, but the engagement was described as constructive, with candidates actively considering the raised issues.
This pre-election outreach exemplifies the MU’s proactive approach to influencing policy.
What Role Does Music Play in Wales’s Economy and Communities?
Music stands as a cornerstone of Wales’s identity, driving economic activity through tourism, employment, and cultural exports. The meeting emphasised its contributions to local communities, where live events foster social cohesion and educational programmes inspire youth.
From sustaining jobs in the Welsh National Opera to bolstering independent venues, the sector generates multifaceted benefits. Protecting it ensures Wales remains a vibrant hub for artistic excellence.
In broader terms, the discussion positioned music as integral to post-election priorities, urging cross-party support.
How Can Political Parties Respond to MU Priorities?
The MU manifesto urges all Welsh political parties to pledge action on its four pillars. By committing to growth, inclusivity, success, and sustainability, leaders can secure the sector’s future.
Candidates’ positive reception signals potential for manifesto adoption into party platforms. As elections near, such engagements could shape voter priorities in culture-dependent constituencies.
What’s Next After the Roundtable Discussion?
With the manifesto now in candidates’ hands, the MU anticipates further dialogues ahead of 7 May. Monitoring responses will gauge Labour’s alignment with musicians’ needs.
Union members like Llinos Owen, David Miller, and Stephen Williams represent a groundswell pushing for change. Sustained advocacy could yield tangible policies post-election.
Broader Implications for Welsh Creative Industries
This meeting reflects escalating pressures on arts funding nationwide, mirroring Wales-specific woes. Live venue sustainability ties into tourism recovery, while education access addresses skills gaps.
Career protections safeguard against outsourcing, preserving Welsh cultural sovereignty. The MU’s efforts position music as a non-partisan economic driver.
Voices from the Delegation
Though direct quotes remain unpublished in the primary source, the collective voice of attendees—including Andy Warnock’s leadership—amplified the manifesto’s urgency. Shavanah Taj, Peter Jenkins, and Huw Thomas heard firsthand accounts from Llinos Owen, David Miller, and Stephen Williams.
Their participation humanises policy debates, bridging performers with policymakers.
Election Context and Timing
Scheduled last week, the roundtable leverages pre-election momentum for the 7 May vote. By targeting Labour candidates, the MU taps a party historically supportive of cultural investments.
This could influence manifestos across the spectrum if replicated.
The Musicians’ Union continues its campaign, ensuring music’s economic and communal value resonates in Westminster and Cardiff Bay alike. With fair pay and sustainability at stake, Wales’s musicians await decisive action.
