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Lindsay Whittle has promised to be a “voice for Caerphilly” ahead of his first Senedd session since his by-election victory.

Mr Whittle, who was elected as Caerphilly’s new Senedd Member nearly two weeks ago, has vowed to “fight for every community in the constituency”.

The new Plaid Cymru MS succeeds Labour’s Hefin David, who passed away in August having represented the Caerphilly constituency in Cardiff Bay for nine years.

His passing triggered the by-election, held on October 23, which resulted in Mr Whittle winning 47% of the vote, seeing off the challenge of Reform UK’s Llŷr Powell, on 36%. Labour were pushed into third place, with Richard Tunnicliffe winning 11% of the vote share.

It will be the second time Mr Whittle has served in the Welsh Parliament, having represented the South Wales East region in the then-National Assembly for Wales between 2011 and 2016.

Speaking ahead of his return, Mr Whittle said: “It’s the greatest honour of my life to be elected as Caerphilly’s voice in our national parliament. I’ll give everything I’ve got to make sure the people of Caerphilly are heard loud and clear in Cardiff, and I’ll fight for every single community that means so much to me.

“Over the next six months, I’ll be focused on what really matters to people – our NHS, the cost of living, improving transport connections, and bringing proper investment back to the Valleys.”

He continued: “I’m here because people wanted a strong local voice. They wanted real change. They said no to division and no to the empty promises of Reform UK, and yes to hope and real, positive change with Plaid Cymru.

“This result sends a clear message that Starmer’s Labour and Westminster politics can’t take Wales for granted anymore. The old order is breaking down, and Caerphilly has shown that change is on the way.

“Labour’s old Wales is fading, and a new, confident Wales is taking its place – one led by Plaid Cymru.”