What was discussed in the Caerphilly by-election debate?

The NHS, immigration and local library closures were among topics discussed

It's no surprise that the NHS, local library closures and immigration were big issues in Wednesday night's debate.

What was a surprise was the nature of the debate's stand-out moment in the exchange between the mother whose son had asked a question and Reform candidate Llŷr Powell about immigration.

It is a side of the argument that we do not hear that much and it put Powell on the back foot.

"I'm born and bred in Caerphilly and I've lived here all my life," the woman explained, adding that her sons' father was an immigrant to the UK.

"I have never felt so unwelcome in my own home town as I do since your party came into Caerphilly.

"I have to say to my sons please don't go there, please don't do this and quite frankly Mr Powell I blame you for that."

Powell denied that he had used the phrase "overtaking" to describe the influence of migrants in the area or the UK as a whole.

That said, Reform have had huge success in driving the immigration agenda and in making a big national issue resonate at local level.

Many voters have concerns about levels of illegal immigration even if it does not directly affect their area.

I pass comment as an observation rather than a judgement that it took a woman to make everyone stop and pause, after six men spent the best part of an hour shouting over each other.

After the debate Reform's opponents thought it a telling exchange which showed the party up.

But it was a member of the public rather than one of their own who had made the point.

What else did we learn?

There were hints of what sort of offers might come the Welsh government's way in order to pass its budget, the first draft of which was published on Tuesday.

Labour needs to do a deal because it does not have the numbers in the Senedd and is already going to talk to the Welsh Conservatives about a housing tax.

Liberal Democrat candidate Steve Aicheler suggested a temporary tax rise to pay for social care; Greens' Gareth Hughes called for a wealth tax even if that might be beyond the powers of the Senedd.

Labour's task in passing that budget will be even harder if it loses Caerphilly.

It passed this year's budget with the help of the sole Lib Dem Jane Dodds.

Lose and it would be down to 29 out of 60 seats and would need to find someone else too.

Labour's opponents know they could soon have a significant role to play.

From left to right: Richard Tunnicliffe, Lindsay Whittle, Llŷr Powell, Steve Aicheler, Gareth Potter and Gareth Hughes, who all took part in the debate

We also learnt that after 26 years in power Labour is fighting against change and unpopularity.

There were a couple of tacit acknowledgements from Richard Tunicliffe, who pointed out he was new to politics and would be a "critical friend" of the government if he wins.

The other parties were at pains to highlight what they saw as "time up" for Labour in their closing remarks.

If this does get decided on local politics and personalities rather than national issues then there was plenty of competition to claim those credentials.

It is a card that Plaid's Lindsay Whittle thumped down on to the table in a Caerphilly-centric closing speech.

This by-election was unexpected and came about in tragic circumstances after the death of Hefin David.

With the Senedd election looming next May, expect more debates to come.

If this is anything to go by, do not expect harmony whatever the talk of potential budget deals.

There will be a few sore throats on Thursday morning given the levels of angry shouting.