A week before the by-election to elect a new Member of the Senedd, residents in Caerphilly have told GB News they want their next representative to be “honest”.
Its 750-year-old castle watches over this area steeped in history, but now the people here have a decision to make.
A by-election to elect a new member of the Senedd was called after the sudden death of former Labour member Hefin David.
It’s a town proud of its industrial past, and its people - a statue honours one its most famous sons, Tommy Cooper. Like the figure of Cooper holding a magic wand, in this election eight candidates are all trying to be the magician and pull the rabbit out of the hat.
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From local issues to those of national debate, residents here are divided on what their next representative should focus on.
Martin lives in the town centre and told GB News that congestion is causing problems.
He said: “Budget funding and some other issues have cropped up and the funding is no longer there.
“Caerphilly could’ve done with a bypass years ago, but there isn't one. There's one road in and one road out.
Caerphilly locals have had their say ahead of next week's vote
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Hefin David's death triggered a by-election
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“Once it gets snarled up, everything grinds to a halt.”
For another local, Philip Davies, there’s only one issue on his mind.
He told GB News: “I believe in independence for Wales, England don’t give a monkeys, they take us for granted!”
Finishing her shopping, resident Lynn Morgan said: “Well I want them to be honest with what they're going to deliver, for a start.
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“More help with the community, policing and putting some money back in [to Caerphilly] that the taxpayers are paying.”
Even though this is an election to the Welsh Parliament, on this high street, the politics of Westminster is never far away.
Local, Dedeus Anstee-Coles, told GB News that immigration was a big issue for him in the election.
He said: “A person who enters from any offshore [country] without any legal documentation is actually breaking the law instantly.
The people of Caerphilly are preparing to head to the ballot box
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“Therefore, their illegal status demands that person should not be allowed into this country. What has changed?”
Lynn added: “It is an issue really, because you think when's it going to stop?
“People can't get doctor's appointments and dentists and this and that and the other.
“We don't have the infrastructure to take any more in really.”
Philip said you cannot blame people for wanting to come to the UK.
He told GB News: “They are here to help and benefit us. If I wanted a job and I couldn't get the money, I'd move, exactly like these immigrants coming here.
“They get a better standard of living here. You can't blame them!”
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