Labour leader uncertain about Caerphilly campaign as by-election nears

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said on BBC Wales that he did not yet know whether he would campaign in Caerphilly ahead of the Senedd by-election scheduled for Oct. 23. He noted that Labour's party conference will be held next weekend in Liverpool, and suggested the timing could influence his travel plans. He argued there are huge benefits to Labour being in government in both the UK and Welsh administrations and said the party must work hard to earn every vote. He stressed that delivering results matters and that he has a constructive working relationship with the First Minister.

Caerphilly has long been Labour’s seat in both the Welsh Parliament and in Westminster, holding the Senedd constituency since 1999 and the Westminster seat since the early 20th century. The by-election was triggered by the death of Hefin David, and ballots are due on Oct. 23. The contest will test Labour’s ability to retain a constituency that has been part of its political backbone for decades.

In a separate policy move, the UK government announced a Great Britain-wide fund to bolster public spaces and high streets. The Pride in Place programme will channel £214 million to Wales, including £35 million for the country’s 22 local authorities to spend over the next two years. Nine authorities, including Caerphilly, are set to receive up to £20 million each over a decade. The money will be allocated through council bids, with the aim of giving local communities more say over local spending decisions.

The nine councils named for Pride in Place funding are Blaenau Gwent, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Caerphilly, Carmarthenshire, Conwy, Cardiff and Swansea. Wales’ other authorities will share about £1.5 million each over two years, with Bridgend receiving £3 million. Sir Keir said the investment is substantial, and emphasized that the people who decide how it is spent—neighbors, volunteers and parents who know their communities best—should have control over the money.

As for Caerphilly’s by-election, Labour faces a competitive field. So far, candidates announced for the Caerphilly Senedd by-election include: Conservatives Gareth Potter; Gwlad Anthony Cook; Labour Richard Tunnicliffe; Plaid Cymru Lindsay Whittle; Reform UK Llŷr Powell; Welsh Liberal Democrats Steve Aicheler; and Greens Gareth Hughes.

Polls in recent weeks have suggested Labour’s position in Wales remains under pressure, with a YouGov survey placing the party around 14% ahead of the next Senedd election. Starmer acknowledged the challenge but framed Labour’s task as demonstrating the benefits of a Labour-led government at both the UK and Welsh levels, arguing that Labour has delivered a record settlement for Wales—the biggest since devolution—and has invested in fixing coal tips, restoring rail links, expanding renewable energy, and supporting industrial jobs at Port Talbot. He said Labour would need to work hard to win votes, but defended the party’s track record and its ongoing efforts to earn broad support across Wales and the rest of the country.