Western Mail Immigration a hot topic ahead of poll

WHEN our Political editor Ruth Mosalski asked Llyr Powell, the Reform UK candidate in the Caerphilly by-election, what the biggest issue was that he heard about on doorsteps, he immediately answered immigration.

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It has definitely been a key topic in the Welsh constituency and there was little doubt it would come up in the televised debate - not only did it, but it probably made the standout moment.

The BBC Wales debate, featuring six of the eight candidates, featured a 22-year-old called Cole Vyas asking the panel if immigration was a problem in Caerphilly.

Mr Powell gave a one-word answer: “Yes.”

Then he was asked about the now often quoted figure that just 2.9% of people in the borough were born outside of the UK.