Reform sends out 'misleading' campaign letter

REFORM UK has sent “misleading" campaign letters to Caerphilly residents ahead of the Senedd by-election, claiming to have been written by a “local” man who actually lives elsewhere. The letters which are presented in a handwriting font - criticise Welsh Labour and urge people to instead vote for Reform UK.

- LUCY JOHN AND ELLIE GOSLEY

The views are presented as a letter written by a “local pensioner” named Andrew Russell, who says he is reaching out to the “ordinary people of Caerphilly”. The letter is dated October 23, 2025 - the date of the area's upcoming Senedd by-election. The by-election had been called after the death of former MS Hefin David.

However, our sister website, WalesOnline, has confirmed that, although pensioner Mr Russell is a real person, he does not live in the Senedd constituency of Caerphilly and therefore cannot vote in the upcoming by-election.

In response, Llyr Powell, Reform UK's Senedd candidate for Caerphilly, said people should focus on the “substance” of the letter and not where the person who wrote it is from. Welsh Labour said it shows that Reform UK “don't care about Wales”.

The letters, which were delivered earlier this week, read: “Dear Neighbour. Forgive me for writing to you out of the blue, but I think it’s time the ordinary people of Caerphilly spoke up for themselves.

“My name is Andrew and I am a local pensioner. I have worked my whole life, paid taxes and tried to play by the rules. Like many of you, I am also a lifelong Labour voter. But what good has it done us?”

In his letter, Mr Russell goes on to criticise NHS waiting times and 20mph speed limits.