Labour accused of by-election hypocrisy on libraries

Richard Tunnicliffe runs a publishing company which translates children's books into Welsh

Labour's Caerphilly by-election candidate has been accused of "hypocrisy" for pledging to fight for public libraries after previously sympathising with plans to close them.

At the start of the campaign, Richard Tunnicliffe said the authority was working to maximise the services but a "lot of people" were not using libraries as much.

Reform said it was "staggering" hypocrisy, Plaid Cymru described it as "cynical" politics while the Welsh Conservatives said it would "never" allow its closure.

Welsh Labour said Mr Tunniclife had "always been passionate about libraries" and was campaigning on the newly available money from the UK government, which could be used "to save community assets".

The Labour council's proposals were paused in August in response to a £29m budget gap, following a backlash and a legal challenge.

The Caerphilly Senedd by-election, taking place next month, was prompted by the death of Labour's Hefin David in August.

On 8 September Tunnicliffe, a book publisher, was asked for his views on the council's policy with libraries.

He told BBC Wales "people's consumption of books has changed", that "digital media has taken on a huge amount" and "the whole structure" had altered.

He said "a lot of people" were not using libraries "as much as they had in the past" and "a lot of buildings had been getting older and more maintenance going on".

Mr Tunnicliffe said he believed the council was "consolidating to try and maximise the services that we can provide, after all these 15 years of cuts" due to decisions by previous UK Conservative governments.

"We are meeting the council later so we will continue to try and provide as many services as possible as close to people's communities as possible," he added.

Then, in a video on social media earlier this week, Tunnicliffe, promised to "fight to keep our libraries open" and "with your support" to "make sure our libraries stay open for generations to come".

"I'll be talking with the council to make sure that any extra funding goes towards preserving these vital facilities," he added.

The proposals to close 10 libraries have been highly controversial

On Thursday, Labour's candidate posted another video, following an announcement that Caerphilly would receive £20m extra over 10 years as part of a UK government scheme to boost high streets, parks and public spaces.

"We've been out canvassing people about what their major issues are, and people want their libraries, these key local amenities, saved," Tunnicliffe said.

"And so that's what we're campaigning for now. So add your voice. Please sign the petition so we can tell the board this is where we want the money spent."

Reform UK by-election candidate Llŷr Powell criticised Tunnicliffe's stance, saying: "The hypocrisy from the Labour candidate is staggering.

"While he feigns concern for our communities, his Labour-run council is fighting tooth-and-nail to close our libraries and strip residents of essential services."

Plaid Cymru said: "Mere weeks ago Richard Tunnicliffe was defending Caerphilly council's plans to close our libraries.

"Now, with an election looming, Labour's suddenly launching petitions and promising to 'save' them with a new funding pot."

Welsh Labour said Mr Tunnicliffe had "long been passionate about our libraries".

"Whilst he acknowledged the financial pressure the council was under, the strength of feeling in this community is palpable," they added.

Conservative candidate Gareth Potter said he would "fight tooth and nail" to keep every library in Caerphilly open, adding: "I will never allow these services to close. Not now, not ever.

"Unlike Labour, whose own candidate seems to forget that a child's imagination grows through storytelling, I understand the power of a library card," said Mr Potter.

The Liberal Democrats have been approached for comment.

The by-election candidates are:

• Conservatives - Gareth Potter

• Green Party - Gareth Hughes

• Gwlad - Anthony Cook

• Labour - Richard Tunnicliffe

• Plaid Cymru - Lindsay Whittle

• Reform UK - Llŷr Powell

• UKIP - Roger Quilliam

• Welsh Liberal Democrats - Steve Aicheler

BBC Wales is holding a live debate for the candidates of the Caerphilly by-election on 15 October. Click below to apply to be in the audience.