PRIME MINISTER CONSPICUOUS BY HIS ABSENCE

PMQs: ‘Why won’t the PM show his face in Caerphilly?’ – Liz Saville Roberts

 

Starmer challenged over Labour’s cuts and collapsing support ahead of Caerphilly by-election

 

During PMQs today (Wednesday 15 October) Plaid Cymru Westminster leader, Liz Saville Roberts MP challenged Keir Starmer over his reluctance to campaign in Caerphilly ahead of the by-election on 23 October.

 

A few weeks ago, the Prime Minister told the BBC that he didn’t know whether he was going to go to Caerphilly.

 

Ms Saville Roberts asked the PM what his problem was before citing the cuts to disability support and the closure of ten local libraries as reasons why he hasn’t shown his face in Caerphilly yet.

 

The Dwyfor Meirionnydd MP then asked “or the fact even the council leader resigned from the Labour party and called on people to support Plaid Cymru?”

 

In mid-September, the leader of Caerphilly council resigned from the Labour Party, calling it a "busted flush". He also expressed his support for Plaid Cymru’s candidate, Lindsay Whittle in the upcoming by-election.

 

Labour has held the seat in the Senedd since devolution began in Wales in 1999 and have won in Caerphilly in every General Election since 1918.

 

However, Labour’s support in Wales is collapsing with You Gov's latest poll showing that the 2026 Senedd election will be a two-horse race between Plaid Cymru, currently leading on 30% and Reform, closely behind on 29%.

 

 

Speaking during PMQs, Liz Saville Roberts MP said:

 

“Ahead of his party conference, the Prime Minister told the BBC he wasn’t sure whether he’d campaign in Caerphilly for the by-election on 23 October. This is an important by-election in Wales.

 

“Well, there’s just over a week to go - and he hasn’t shown his face there yet.

 

“So what’s the problem, Mr Speaker – is it his party’s decision to close ten libraries in the community, cuts to disability support or perhaps it’s the fact that even the council leader resigned from the Labour party and is calling on people to support Plaid Cymru?”

 

 

In his response, the Prime Minister said:

 

“Well, Mr Speaker she leaves out of her account that we provided £21 billion, the largest ever settlement for Wales, and what did she do? She voted against it.

 

“And while we’re on the question of money, she’s accepted figures this week that independence would cost every Welsh person £7000. They should be honest about the cost with the people of Wales of their policies.”

 

 

Following the session, Liz Saville Roberts MP said:

 

“The figures spouted by Labour about the cost of independence have already been debunked by independent analysis from the House of Commons Library. The fact that Starmer raised these dodgy figures once again during PMQs shows how desperate the Labour Party is in the run up to next year’s Senedd election.”

 

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