Reform UK has been accused of sowing division over immigration in the Caerphilly constituency ahead of next week's Senedd byelection. During a fiery BBC Wales debate, the party faced criticism for 'weaponising' immigration and making some residents feel unwelcome.
An audience member told Reform candidate Llŷr Powell that she had never felt so unwelcome in her hometown since the party arrived, saying she had to advise her sons to avoid certain places. Powell defended his focus on immigration as a policy issue, but the audience member retorted: 'We're not policies, you're talking about human beings.'
A new Survation poll suggests Reform leads with 42% support, followed by Plaid Cymru on 38%, Labour on 12%, and the Conservatives on 4%. If accurate, this would end Labour's century-long hold on the seat and signal a major shift in Welsh politics.
Labour candidate Richard Tunnicliffe accused Reform of trying to 'sow division and fear', while Plaid Cymru's Lindsay Whittle criticised the party's stance on the Welsh government's nation of sanctuary policy for refugees. The debate also covered library closures and NHS pressures.
Powell, a former aide to convicted ex-Reform Wales leader Nathan Gill, said he was 'utterly shocked' by Gill's bribery offences, calling them 'traitorous'. The byelection takes place on [date not specified in source].
