Plaid Cymru’s candidate for the Caerphilly Senedd by-election has claimed Labour is a “spent force” in the valleys, insisting his party now faces a greater challenge from Reform UK than from its traditional rival.
Lindsay Whittle, a former Caerphilly council leader and South Wales East Assembly Member between 2011 and 2016, made the remarks as campaigning intensifies ahead of the poll triggered by the death of Labour MS Hefin David in August. Labour has dominated the constituency since the dawn of devolution in 1999 and has held every Westminster and Welsh parliamentary election in Caerphilly since the 1920s.
Asked what he believed was the biggest threat to Plaid’s chances, Mr Whittle said:
“I would say Reform… Labour are not a threat any longer. They are a spent force in these valleys. That is coming across on the doorstep loud and clear. I have never witnessed this in my life.”
He said immigration was a concern raised frequently by voters.
“People are afraid of illegal immigration. I don’t support illegal immigration either, Plaid Cymru doesn’t support it. In Abertridwr, where I live, we welcomed the Basque children from the Franco Spanish civil war. After the war, on the council estate where I’m from, we had lots of Polish families, Italian families. We are a welcoming nation. I hope people remember that – be proud of your history of welcoming people.”
While acknowledging the Senedd has no powers over immigration policy, he added:
“Something has to be done about illegal immigration… there has to be a stop to people coming across the Channel in boats. If Rhun ap Iorwerth is first minister after next May then maybe during his meetings with the British prime minister he could offer some ideas on how Wales could help.”
Mr Whittle, however, questioned the relevance of the issue to the by-election, saying he wanted to focus on local concerns such as cuts to services, including controversial plans to close 10 libraries in Caerphilly – a proposal currently on hold following a court injunction.
Labour officially launched its campaign this week, with Economy Minister Eluned Morgan warning of “significant cuts” if the party fails to retain the seat. With the loss of Caerphilly, Labour’s tally in the Senedd would drop to 29, making it more difficult to pass a budget.
Plaid Cymru refused to back Labour’s spending plans earlier this year, forcing the government to strike a deal with the Senedd’s sole Liberal Democrat, Jane Dodds. Labour has since accused Plaid of risking “massive cuts” to schools and the NHS. A Welsh Labour spokesperson said:
“Plaid has already shown that they wouldn’t support a budget and, if they had their way, you would have seen massive cuts to schools, health and local community services. Welsh Labour is focusing on the things that matter to people: getting waiting lists down, building more homes, improving local transport and delivering more local jobs.”
Ms Morgan argued that Plaid was jeopardising essential services, while Mr ap Iorwerth accused Labour of “throwing around threats”.
“It’s their budget to put forward,” he said. “Labour are making cuts in Caerphilly left, right and centre. It’s up to them to figure out how to do that.”
Although he did not rule out future co-operation with Labour, Mr ap Iorwerth insisted the by-election represented an opportunity to “begin a reset for Welsh politics” ahead of next May’s general election.
“It’s about saying 26 years of Labour-led governments is enough. Plaid is the only party that offers an alternative, pro-Wales option. This is about taking forward a positive message from Plaid Cymru about how we get to grips with made-in-Wales policies on health, on education, on the economy.”
The Conservatives also entered the fray, accusing Plaid of being too close to Labour. Welsh Conservative Senedd leader Darren Millar said:
“Plaid have been Labour’s co-conspirators in recent years and they have broken Wales. They backed plans for more politicians in Cardiff Bay, 20mph speed limits, and facilitated Labour legislation and budgets. The Welsh Conservatives are the only credible alternative to Labour and Plaid.”
