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Eight candidates are standing in the Caerphilly Senedd by-election taking place on Thursday October 23. Below you can read more about each of the candidates – listed in alphabetical order – and what they are saying to voters. The information has been provided by the candidates, either directly or what has been reported, and their respective political parties.

Firstly, a reminder why we are here. This by-election has been called following the sudden death of popular Labour Senedd Member Hefin David. You can read more about his work, and how he has been remembered via these links.

The Caerphilly Senedd by-election candidates….

Steve Aicheler – Welsh Liberal Democrats

Community councillor Steve Aicheler, who lives in Machen, is standing for the Liberal Democrats. He sits on Bedwas, Trethomas and Machen Community Council and is a governor at Machen Primary School.

Cllr Aicheler works for a non-profit supporting entrepreneurship in education and says Caerphilly “deserves better than the managed decline approach of Labour and the Conservatives”.

His priorities include reforming social care to ease pressure on the NHS, improving childcare and education, and defending local services.

He also wants to challenge what he calls a Cardiff-centric City Deal that has failed to deliver locally. “A vote for the Liberal Democrats will send a message that Caerphilly rejects chaos and hate,” he said.

Anthony Cook – Gwlad

Armed Forces veteran Anthony Cook is standing for Welsh nationalist party Gwlad. Born in Cefn Hengoed and now living in Ystrad Mynach, he chairs the party’s Rhymney and Sirhowy Valleys branch.

Mr Cook says his family’s roots in the mining industry shape his understanding of the area’s challenges and the need for locally led regeneration.

He advocates reviving town centres, prioritising brownfield land for new housing and pursuing what he calls “light-touch government and free-market economics”.

Gwlad leader Gwyn Wigley Evans describes him as “a young and energetic local candidate who wants the best for his community”, adding that the party aims to “put the economy first” while backing Welsh independence.

Gareth Hughes – Green Party

The Green Party has chosen Gareth Hughes, a retired journalist and former ITV Wales and BBC political reporter, who has lived in Caerphilly for many years.

A Welsh speaker originally from Bangor, Mr Hughes has also been a housing campaigner and adviser, becoming the first director of the Welsh Federation of Housing Associations.

He said Wales needs “positive political change that puts people and the planet first”.

His campaign focuses on green jobs, better public transport, affordable housing and stronger community voices.

“I’m determined to give Caerphilly a strong, honest and committed voice in the Senedd,” he said.

Gareth Potter – Welsh Conservatives

The Conservatives have chosen Gareth Potter, a former party campaign manager who now lives in Ebbw Vale.

Mr Potter grew up on a Trevethin council estate in Pontypool and told Caerphilly Observer his upbringing shaped his work ethic. “My mum worked two or three jobs after my dad passed away. Life wasn’t easy, but we got on with it,” he said.

He says his campaign is built on hard work rather than photo opportunities: “We’re going to be knocking on doors.”

Mr Potter is focusing on local services, housing and the economy. He opposes cuts to leisure centres and libraries, supports building homes on brownfield sites before using greenfield land, and wants extra funding for palliative care. He has also pledged to fight the proposed tourism tax, calling it “damaging to our local economy”.

“I won’t be disappearing after this election,” he added. “Whatever happens on October 23, I’ll still be here.”

Llŷr Powell – Reform UK

Reform UK launched its Caerphilly campaign with characteristic fanfare — complete with a visit from Nigel Farage to Caerphilly Social Club.

The party’s candidate, Llŷr Powell, lives in the town and has worked in political communications, including for Reform in Westminster.

A fluent Welsh speaker and rugby enthusiast, he told Caerphilly Observer that mental-health awareness and job creation were his key priorities.

He is opposed to the Welsh Government’s Nation of Sanctuary policy and wants an A&E at Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr.

He has also pledged to improve the local economy, attract tech investment, and campaign to reverse the Welsh Government’s 20mph limit.

Critics have questioned his lack of local policy detail, but Mr Powell insists he has been listening to people on the doorstep to help guide his policies.

Mr Powell has also come under scrutiny after his former employer – Reform UK’s former Welsh leader Nathan Gill – admitted bribery charges in relation to making pro-Russia comments. Mr Powell was not employed by Gill at the time of the offences, and has distanced himself from the former Senedd Member.

Roger Quilliam – UKIP

Hampshire resident Roger Quilliam is standing for UKIP. A member of the party’s National Executive Committee, he has worked closely with party leader Nick Tenconi and has campaigned on what he calls “patriotism, national identity and traditional values”.

UKIP says he wants to abolish the Senedd, halt immigration and “put Britons first”.

Richard Tunnicliffe – Welsh Labour

Labour has selected Richard Tunnicliffe, an accountant and publisher, to defend the seat. A long-time resident, he co-runs Rily Publications with his wife Lynda, specialising in Welsh-language children’s books, and says he was encouraged into politics by the late Hefin David.

Speaking to Caerphilly Observer, he said he wants to “honour Hefin’s legacy by continuing his work in the community”. His priorities include protecting libraries, improving NHS services and supporting young people with additional learning needs – a personal focus as a father of three sons with ALN.

Acknowledging anger over council cuts, he said difficult choices come in “very tight financial circumstances”: “If you don’t balance the budgets, you go bankrupt.”

Since the campaign’s launch, Mr Tunnicliffe has positioned himself against the Labour-controlled council over plans to close libraries across the county borough. He has argued that new UK Government funding should be spent to keep them open.

Lindsay Whittle – Plaid Cymru

Veteran councillor Lindsay Whittle is again standing for Plaid Cymru, in what is his seventh Senedd election campaign. Born and raised in Caerphilly, he represents Penyrheol on the county council, has twice served as council leader and was a South Wales East Assembly Member from 2011 to 2016. At the opening of Plaid’s new Castle Street campaign office, party leader Rhun ap Iorwerth joined activists – signalling an all-out push for the seat.

Cllr Whittle told Caerphilly Observer he wants to continue Hefin David’s commitment to additional learning needs and to protect local services. On immigration’s prominence in the campaign, he cited Wales’ tradition of welcoming refugees, saying: “We are duty-bound to look after people fleeing conflict.”