Live updates as Caerphilly by-election candidates take part in TV debate

Six of the candidates hoping to be the next Senedd member for Caerphilly will appear on a live TV debate tonight. The televised debate is being broadcast live from Bedwas Workmen's Hall and Institute. It starts at 7pm and lasts an hour.

The by-election is taking place after the death of Labour MS Hefin David.

Wednesday's debate will feature Richard Tunnicliffe (Labour), Gareth Potter (Conservatives), Lindsay Whittle (Plaid Cymru), Llyr Powell (Reform UK), Steve Aicheler (Welsh Liberal Democrats), and Gareth Hughes (Green Party).

There are other candidates not taking part and the full list is here.

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 and candidates will be able to make a closing statement.

The by-election is seen as being particularly interesting because while it is a seat Labour has held for the length of devolved politics, and since it existed in Westminster, Labour's support is falling in the polls. The most recent YouGov/ITV Barn Cymru poll showed Labour's support was down from 40% in 2021 to 14% ahead of the election in May.

Plaid Cymru and Reform UK are both topping the polls showing a huge surge of support for both.

This by-election is also crucial in terms of passing the Welsh Government budget for Wales – a process which has just started.

Follow live updates from the debate below: