Tories pick ex-charity worker to run in by-election

Gareth Potter's previous employers include the charity the British Heart Foundation

The Welsh Conservatives have selected their candidate for next month's Senedd by-election in Caerphilly.

Tory Senedd leader Darren Millar called Torfaen-born Gareth Potter "an experienced campaigner" who would "work hard for local residents and be a strong voice" in the Welsh Parliament.

Potter, who worked in the retail and charity sectors before focusing on politics, said he would be "knocking doors", listening to local views and "sharing my plan for Caerphilly".

He is the third candidate announced for the election, taking place on 23 October, following the death of Labour Senedd member Hefin David in August.

The Conservative announcement came as the early by-election campaign was rocked by the dramatic resignation of the Labour leader of Caerphilly council from his party.

Caerphilly-based children's publisher and financial analyst Richard Tunnicliffe is standing for Labour while Plaid Cymru has chosen its former Caerphilly council leader Lindsay Whittle as its candidate.

Mr David, who died suddenly on 12 August aged 47, had represented Caerphilly in Cardiff Bay since since 2016.

Potter was born in Pontypool, grew up in Trevethin and lives in Ebbw Vale with his wife and two children.

He has worked as a staff member for the Conservative South Wales Senedd member Natasha Asghar as well as for the party itself.

He said he was "deeply honoured to have been selected by our members to stand as the Welsh Conservative candidate for Caerphilly in the coming Senedd by-election".

Labour governments in Wales and Westminster, he said, had " failed us time and time again" - "from parents worried about school safety to pensioners struggling to book GP appointments or the small business owners burdened by unfair taxes".

"I'll be knocking doors, and sharing my plan for Caerphilly, but most importantly, I'll be listening to you," he said.

Congratulating Potter on his selection, Millar had a message for previous Tory voters who were thinking of voting for Reform UK.

"There's only one Conservative Party on the ballot paper in the Caerphilly by-election: the Welsh Conservative Party," he said.

"The message at this election is clear - more of the same with Labour and Plaid, or credible change with the Welsh Conservatives," he added.

Reform is expected to unveil its candidate over the next few days.