What to expect from Caerphilly by-election debate

The by-election will take place on 23 October
- Published
Candidates standing in next week's Senedd by-election in Caerphilly will take part in a televised debate later.
The BBC Wales programme will be broadcast from the Bedwas Workmen's Hall and Institute between 19:00 and 20:00 BST, with a live stream and real-time updates on the BBC Wales news website.
The by-election on 23 October follows the sudden death of Labour Member of the Senedd (MS) Hefin David in August.
The fiercely contested race comes months before May's Senedd election, with Welsh polls suggesting Plaid Cymru and Reform look increasingly well-placed to challenge Labour's grip on power in Wales.
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- Published3 October
Wednesday's debate will feature candidates standing for Labour, the Conservatives, Plaid Cymru, Reform UK, the Welsh Liberal Democrats and the Green Party.
These are parties which have clear evidence of electoral support in Caerphilly, taking account of past elections there, as well as recent opinion polls in Wales.
Two other candidates, representing Gwlad and UKIP, have been invited to be interviewed ahead of the debate.
You can see the profiles and policies of all eight candidates here.
Most significant Senedd by-election
This is only the fifth Senedd by-election since devolution began in 1999, and with next year's election looming it is also the most significant.
Caerphilly has been a Labour stronghold for over a century, with the party winning here at every general election since the constituency was formed in 1918, and at every election to Cardiff Bay.
However, given the polls, Plaid Cymru and Reform see an opportunity to lay down a marker ahead of May's vote.
Defeat for Labour would also make it more difficult for the Welsh Labour government to pass its budget for next year, leaving it two seats short of a majority in the Senedd.
That means striking a deal with the Senedd's only Liberal Democrat MS, as the government did to get this year's spending plans through, would not be enough.
What will happen during the debate?
Wednesday's debate will be streamed live on the BBC Wales news website, and on BBC One Wales, the BBC News channel, iPlayer and Radio Wales.
During the programme, which will be presented by Nick Servini, members of the audience will be invited to ask questions.
The audience of 74 has been carefully selected to ensure a broad range of views.
At the end of the debate the candidates will have the opportunity to make a closing statement.
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