Gareth Hughes: The Green Party candidate for the Caerphilly Senedd by-election

A funny thing happened to Green Party candidate Gareth Hughes earlier this month – he met his New Zealander namesake – former Green MP Gareth Hughes.

But despite this ‘tale of two Gareths’, the Caerphilly-based Senedd by-election candidate is unmistakably Welsh – especially after gaining cult-like status online after the BBC Wales debate.

The visit was timed to coincide with the Greens’ Day of Action on October 11, when activists across the constituency campaigned for green jobs, better public transport, warmer homes, and stronger local democracy.

Gareth (NZ), who served in his country’s Parliament from 2010 to 2020, said: “Wouldn’t it be incredible if two Green Gareth Hughes’ were elected on opposite sides of the world?

“The challenges we face – from climate breakdown to inequality – are global, but the solutions begin locally.”

Caerphilly’s Gareth admitted the photo op between the two was a bit of fun, but added: “Having Gareth here was a real boost. He’s shown that Green politics can make a difference in Parliament – and it reminds us that our fight for fairer, greener communities in Caerphilly is part of something much bigger.”

Senedd candidate Gareth Hughes, right, with former New Zealand MP Gareth Hughes

Aside from the light-hearted stunt and his memorable TV appearance, Mr Hughes is serious about furthering the Green Party cause.

He says he wants to bring a “credible, independent voice” to the Senedd and one that puts the community, social justice and the environment at the heart of decision-making.

A former Labour councillor for Penyrheol and Trecenydd on the old Rhymney Valley Council, Mr Hughes has spent a lifetime in public service, from his early days helping residents in system-built homes secure funding for vital repairs, to later work establishing housing associations and campaigning for warm, affordable homes.

“I’ve always been passionate about housing,” he said. “For the first 12 years of my life I lived in private rented accommodation in Bangor with one cold-water tap and a toilet in the garden – and the house was bloody cold.”

Mr Hughes argues that improving homes is not just about comfort but also about health, linking poor housing to respiratory illnesses that continue to blight the Valleys.

He argues that quality homes means fewer hospital appointments and lower energy bills

He added: “I believe we are the only party offering bold action and bold answers to these problems, tackling the everyday realities of people’s lives while at the same time tackling the climate crisis, which is interlinked with the social justice crisis.”

Green Party tree planted in Caerphilly’s Ukrainian Gratitude Orchard

From Labour to the Greens

Mr Hughes spent many years as a Labour councillor before leaving the party over its support for the Iraq War. A socialist by conviction, he says the Green Party reflects the values he once associated with Labour – collective responsibility, fairness, and a belief that wealth should be shared more equally.

He describes the UK as an increasingly unequal society and argues that the Greens are the only party willing to talk seriously about a wealth tax and income redistribution. That, he says, is what drew him to join the Greens around four years ago.

He believes many voters in Caerphilly are deeply disillusioned with mainstream politics and want an alternative that reflects their principles. Rather than competing for the same shrinking pool of party loyalties, he hopes to mobilise those who have stopped voting altogether by offering a message based on social justice and equality.

At his campaign launch with Welsh Green Party leader Anthony Slaughter, Mr Hughes said the other parties had “given up on Caerphilly” by refusing to work constructively on the Welsh Government’s budget. He argued that a Green MS would use their position to negotiate tangible improvements for local people – from better funding for councils to investment in transport and essential services.

Green candidate Gareth Hughes, left, and Wales Green Party leader Anthony Slaughter

He highlighted public transport as a key issue, pointing out that basic journeys such as visiting relatives in hospital on weekends or returning home from Caerphilly town centre by bus can be impossible. These, he said, are the kinds of everyday problems that need urgent attention.

Defending libraries and local services

Mr Hughes criticised council plans to close libraries, describing it as ironic that a Labour-run authority would dismantle institutions that once underpinned the labour and trade-union movements. He said libraries and institutes were central to how working people educated themselves and argued that, while community involvement was welcome, local residents in a relatively poor valley could not be expected to sustain essential services without public support.

He said the Welsh Government has a duty to ensure councils are properly funded to maintain libraries, social care and education – areas where he believes Caerphilly and other communities have been let down.

Former political journalist selected as Green Party by-election candidate

Tackling poverty and inequality

The Green candidate said tackling poverty must underpin all government decisions. He dismissed calls for tax cuts, arguing that such moves disproportionately benefit the wealthy and would only reduce the resources available for public-sector workers such as teachers, nurses and care assistants.

He also linked global instability to the climate crisis, and noted that droughts, food shortages and conflicts over water are among the factors driving migration and said it was inconsistent for political parties, such as Reform UK, to oppose immigration while also rejecting measures to reach net-zero emissions.

Housing, planning and business

Housing remains one of Mr Hughes’s central policy areas. Drawing on his experience in social housing, he argued that the priority should be refurbishing and re-using existing stock rather than building on greenfield sites.

He and Anthony Slaughter both criticised what they see as a planning system skewed towards large developers. They said community-led approaches are needed to ensure local needs are met, with stronger enforcement of affordable-housing commitments and proper infrastructure planning for schools, GP surgeries and transport links.

Both emphasised the need to support small, independent businesses that form the backbone of local high streets. They said governments should look at reforming business rates and improving public transport to make town centres more accessible. Paying fair wages, they added, would help keep money circulating within local economies rather than flowing to national retail chains.

Looking ahead

The Greens say they are seeing unprecedented growth in membership and support across Wales, boosted by recent by-election performances and a growing public appetite for change.

Mr Slaughter believes the new proportional voting system for next year’s Senedd election offers the best chance yet of securing Green representation in Cardiff Bay.

He said: “It is important that we stand, that Gareth stands and gives people the opportunity to vote for those Green values because people need them, they’re crying out for that change.”

Caerphilly’s by-election candidates for October 23

Gareth Hughes

Wales Green Party

Caerphilly Media