Reform UK's Caerphilly by-election candidate slams hard left intimidation and vandalism

Reform UK's Caerphilly by-election candidate has revealed that hard-left opponents in South Wales have been using violence and intimidation against him ahead of the crunch vote. With polls suggesting Nigel Farage could be on course for his first Welsh Senedd election win on Friday, Llyr Powell has revealed a spate of anti-democratic tactics being used against him by the hard left.

Photographs reveal numerous examples of vandalism on his election campaign material around the South Wales constituency, while Mr Powell has personally experienced late-night intimidation at his private home. The incidents have included people showing up late at night, ringing his doorbell and banging on his door into the early hours of the morning. Thugs also arrived at the candidate's campaign headquarters and poured glue in the door locks.

The revelations come after an attack on George Finch, the 19-year-old Reform leader of Warwickshire County Council, who was assaulted in the street last week.

Revealing the dirty tactics being used by desperate left-wing opponents, Mr Powell told the Express: "Over the next few days and into the Senedd and local elections next May, the silent majority in Britain are going to send a clear message that violence and intimidation have no place in our democracy.

"The political establishment is so frightened of losing power it is closing ranks in a desperate attempt to stop representatives from left-behind communities from having a seat at the table.

"That's why we are seeing these sorts of incidents, but we know the people are on our side, and that this is our chance to win for our democracy and for our values.

"With Reform UK, we're going to smash through the glass ceiling and put power back into the hands of the people in forgotten communities like Caerphilly."

Dr David Bull, Reform UK's chairman, added: "The intimidation against Llyr is abhorrent on so many levels. This level of abuse is unacceptable in a developed democracy, and it's unacceptable for any candidate to have to contemplate.

"They're resorting to bully boy tactics, and it won't work. Have we learnt nothing from Jo Cox and David Amess?

"The police need to get a grip."

The paper also spoke to Reform-supporting resident Anthony, who saw his signs supporting Mr Powell vandalised within days of putting them up.

He accused political opponents of trying to silence the views of ordinary voters.

Anthony said: "We told Reform we'd like to put some signs up to support the local candidate Llyr Powell. We wanted to show some support in an important election, just like lots of other people have.

"Within only a couple of days, we woke up and saw that the signs had been ruined. It's not a nice feeling to think that someone has come to your home and done something like that.

"Obviously people are going to disagree in politics, but sometimes it feels like people who do this sort of thing are trying to silence us."

Nigel Farage warned last month that Keir Starmer's accusations that Reform UK's deportation policy is racist would lead to increased violence against his party's politicians and councillors.

Ahead of Labour's annual conference, Sir Keir branded Reform's policy to tear up indefinite leave to remain "racist".

Following his conference speech, Mr Farage held an instant live stream reaction to the speech, accusing the Prime Minister of inciting violence against Reform UK.

Mr Farage said the Prime Minister had given up attacking Reform's arguments, and as a result had decided to "descend into the gutter".

"Let us be clear, Reform want illegal migrants deported from our country," said the Clacton MP.

"Reform want the benefit system to be for British citizens only, not for foreign-born nationals. Reform want foreign criminals removed from our country ASAP.

"Labour say this policy is racist and immoral, and by implication that Reform supporters, voters and sympathisers are racist too."

Mr Farage said he does not worry himself about personal abuse, but to effectively accuse millions of being racist "is a very low blow".

He added: "This language will incite the radical Left ... it directly threatens the safety of our elected officials and campaigners."

He cited the recent murder of Charlie Kirk, adding: "I think this is an absolute disgrace."