Labour by-election vote boosts Reform, says Plaid

Rhun ap Iorwerth was campaigning on Ystrad Mynach high street on Thursday

Plaid Cymru's leader says a vote for Labour in the Caerphilly by-election is a vote for Reform, as the contest is a "straight fight" between his and Nigel Farage's party.

Speaking on a campaign visit to the south Wales Valleys Senedd constituency, Rhun ap Iorwerth said Wales-wide polling suggested that Labour was "falling way behind".

The most recent poll indicated Plaid has 30% support, Reform 29%, Labour 14% and the Conservatives 11% across Wales.

Reform accused Plaid Cymru of "taking Welsh communities for fools" while the Conservatives said Plaid were "eyeing up another deal with Labour" after next May's full election for the Welsh Parliament.

The Welsh Parliament by-election was called after the unexpected death last month of Labour Senedd member Hefin David.

Speaking on a visit to Ystrad Mynach, ap Iorwerth, said: "The story is becoming very very clear by now and people are telling us that as much as we are telling them".

"From the poll this week we can see that the story is now that Labour are falling way behind, it's a straight fight between Plaid Cymru and Reform.

"Plaid Cymru's positive message made in Wales, for Wales and our communities here or Reform, with their huge resources, using Wales as a stepping stone for their UK ambitions.

"It's clear a vote for Labour now is a vote to give Reform a chance to come top."

The latest polling by the YouGov MRP model for ITV Cymru Wales and Cardiff University, released on Tuesday evening, has Plaid Cymru on 30%, Reform UK on 29%, Labour 14%, Conservatives 11%, the Liberal Democrats and the Greens on 6%.

According to analysis by Cardiff University that suggests that if elections were held across Wales for the whole Welsh Parliament, Plaid Cymru would currently win 38 seats in an expanded Senedd, Reform UK 37, Labour 11, the Conservatives six, Liberal Democrats three and the Greens one.

A full Welsh parliamentary election will be held next May.

A Reform UK Wales spokesman said: "For 26 years, Plaid Cymru propped up the failed Labour administration in Cardiff Bay.

"From the nation of sanctuary policy to the blanket 20mph speed limit, Plaid have been Labour's most ardent cheerleaders in the Senedd.

"By pretending they are different they are taking Welsh communities for fools.

"Reform is the only party in Wales that can bring an end to the disastrous Labour and Plaid Cymru experiment and deliver real change."

The Welsh Conservatives said: "Voters are fed up with Labour's record of running Wales into the ground – with longer NHS waiting lists, 20mph speed limits and money wasted on more politicians in Cardiff Bay.

"Plaid Cymru are part of the problem. They've propped Labour up, backed the same failed policies, and are already eyeing up another deal with Labour after the Senedd elections.

Only the Welsh Conservatives have the credible alternative and a positive plan to fix Wales."

The nomination deadline for the Caerphilly by-election candidates is Friday 26 September.

So far, five parties have chosen candidates:

• Conservatives - Gareth Potter

• Gwlad - Anthony Cook

• Labour - Richard Tunnicliffe

• Plaid Cymru - Lindsay Whittle

• Reform UK - Llŷr Powell

The by-election will be held on the 23 October.