Thorny problem as by-election looms

POLITICS is a ruthless game.

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It is just three days since Hefin David’s funeral took place, the grieving process barely beginning, and already most of those who attended are embroiled in conversations about who his replacement could be.

Hefin David's post as Caerphilly MS cannot be left vacant and the rules dictate that an election day needs to be declared.

It is an election Labour didn’t want, for obvious reasons, and one it wasn’t expecting, again, for obvious reasons.

It is yet to finalise its candidates for the May 2026 election, and now has to find one for this election, and mobilise grieving colleagues to campaign for them.