2025 Caerphilly by-election

  1. Home
  2. Wiki

2025 Caerphilly by-election
← 2021 23 October 2025 2026 →
Caerphilly constituency
Turnout50.43% (Increase 3.8 pp)
  First party Second party Third party
 
Reform
Labour
Candidate Lindsay Whittle Llŷr Powell Richard Tunnicliffe
Party Plaid Cymru Reform Labour
Popular vote 15,961 12,113 3,713
Percentage 47.4% 36.0% 11.0%
Swing Increase 19.0 pp Increase 34.2 pp Decrease 34.9 pp
MS before election

Hefin David
Labour

Elected MS

Lindsay Whittle
Plaid Cymru

Map of the Caerphilly Senedd constituency

The 2025 Caerphilly by-election was held on 23 October 2025[1][2] to elect the new member of the Senedd (MS) for the Senedd constituency of Caerphilly following the death of Hefin David on 12 August 2025.

Former Senedd member Lindsay Whittle of Plaid Cymru won the by-election with 47% of the vote, ending more than a hundred years of Labour representation in UK Parliament and Senedd elections in Caerphilly, and outperforming expectations of a closer race between Plaid Cymru and Reform UK. Voter turnout was 50.43%, the highest ever for a Senedd by-election.[3] The election left the incumbent Labour government with a minority of 29 out of 60 seats.

This was the fifth Senedd by-election to be held since its formation as the National Assembly for Wales in 1999 and the first since it changed its name to the Senedd in 2020. It was also expected to be the last Welsh Senedd by-election in its foreseeable future, as pending reforms to the Senedd's electoral system in 2026 were to introduce a closed list system of proportional representation, filling vacant constituency seats using the party list.

Background

[edit]

Constituency

[edit]

The Caerphilly constituency contains the town of Caerphilly and extends up to Bargoed in the north and to Machen in the east.[4] Economically, Caerphilly has a high level of food bank dependence and around 20% of children live in poverty.[5] Youth unemployment is high,[6] low incomes are common, and residents have low levels of health and education.[7] The constituency has traditionally been reliant on the coal industry.[8] Caerphilly has one of the lowest proportions of foreign-born residents in Wales.[9]

Representation

[edit]

Hefin David had been the Welsh Labour member of the Senedd (MS) for the Senedd constituency of Caerphilly since the 2016 National Assembly for Wales election.[10] He served as a backbench MS for the duration of his career on the legislature before his sudden death on 12 August 2025.[10][11] His death left the constituency's seat vacant and therefore triggered a by-election under the Government of Wales Act 2006 and Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Act 2024, which would be held to elect his successor as MS for Caerphilly.[12] As by-elections had to be held within three months of vacancies, the by-election had to be held no later than 11 November 2025.[2][13] On 3 September, the date of election was announced as 23 October 2025.[1] This by-election was expected to be the last to the Senedd before a 2026 change to a closed list system of proportional representation, and therefore the last by-election to the Senedd for the foreseeable future, as constituency vacancies under this system were to be filled using the party list rather than through a by-election.[12][2]

In order to vote in the by-election, voters needed to be aged 16 or over and have been registered to vote before 7 October 2025.[14] Those who wanted to apply for a postal vote needed to have done so before 8 October 2025.[14] Polling stations were open from 7 am to 10 pm.[14]

Candidates

[edit]

Plaid Cymru was the first party to announce its candidate, naming former South Wales East AM Lindsay Whittle as their candidate on 3 September.[15] Whittle is the opposition leader on Caerphilly County Borough Council and was brought up in Caerphilly.[19]

Welsh Labour was the next party to begin its selections process.[1] Wayne David, former Labour MP for Caerphilly, was reportedly approached by Welsh Labour to stand, but he ruled himself out as a candidate on 3 September.[20] The day before selection Jamie Pritchard, deputy leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council, was removed from the shortlist of candidates by Welsh Labour, allegedly due to tweets supporting Jeremy Corbyn when he had been Labour party leader.[21] On 6 September, the party announced Richard Tunnicliffe, Hefin David's former campaign manager and son of Labour life peer Lord Tunnicliffe,[22] as its candidate, who was selected at a meeting of local party members.[26] Tunnicliffe runs a children's publishing company.[27]

On 11 September the Welsh Conservatives launched their campaign with their candidate as Gareth Potter.[28] Potter has experience in the retail and charity sectors.[29][30]

It was initially reported that Reform UK may stand former Reform UK Wales leader Mark Reckless as its candidate, but they instead selected Llŷr Powell, launching their campaign on 12 September.[24][31] Powell, a communications specialist and Welsh speaker, lives in Caerphilly and said that Hefin David had been an "excellent Senedd member who was never tribal, committed to his community and made a real difference in education."[32]

On 16 September, the party Gwlad, which supports Welsh independence, announced local army veteran Anthony Cook as their candidate.[33][34]

On 19 September, the Welsh Liberal Democrats announced their candidate as Steve Aicheler, a member of Bedwas, Trethomas and Machen Community Council.[35] His campaign had a focus on social care and child care.[36]

On 23 September, the Wales Green Party announced their candidate as Gareth Hughes, a retired political journalist.[37] He previously worked for ITV Wales, BBC Radio Wales and Radio Cymru.[38]

UKIP fielded Roger Anthony Quilliam as their candidate. He is 22 years old and is on the National Executive Committee of the party, serving until October 2025.[39] He is the only candidate who doesn't reside in Wales.[40]

Campaign

[edit]

Most political parties suspended their campaigning in Caerphilly in the immediate aftermath of David's death out of respect; however Reform UK continued to campaign in the constituency, including on the day of his funeral when it distributed a leaflet and a letter from party leader Nigel Farage criticising other parties and asking for support, which led to accusations that Reform was being insensitive and disrespectful.[41] Other parties resumed campaigning after the date of the by-election was announced on 3 September.[42]

In early September, Reform set up a campaign office in Caerphilly town centre.[20] In a letter addressed to local residents by UK party leader Nigel Farage, the party accused Welsh Labour of "failing" on the NHS, employment and immigration, and also asked for voters to pledge their support and send donations to the campaign.[41][43] Farage's deputy Richard Tice said the party would focus on cutting wasteful spending in the Senedd, for example by ending 20mph speed limits and reforming the structure of NHS Wales, and cutting immigration to Wales, but did not specify the exact reforms it would make to the NHS.[44] According to party sources, Reform hoped to take the Conservative vote and attract part of the Labour vote, on the model of its predecessor, UKIP, in the 2016 National Assembly for Wales election, in order to win the by-election.[45] Polling had suggested a tight battle between Reform UK and Plaid Cymru.[46]

On 11 September, Sean Morgan, the then leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council, resigned from Welsh Labour alleging it had "fixed" the selection process by blocking his deputy leader from standing as a candidate, and backed Plaid Cymru. He now sits as an independent and is no longer leader.[47][21] The New Statesman reported that Caerphilly Labour councillors did not campaign strongly during the by-election because of the contentious selection process. It also stated that the candidate Tunnicliffe "can be characterised as a Starmerite personified" and he spoke like "reading a Labour Party press release".[48]

On 25 September, prime minister Keir Starmer told BBC Wales that he did not know whether he would campaign in the by-election.[49] The by-election is reportedly important for his leadership.[50] One month prior to the by-election, the Labour candidate was accused of hypocrisy over library closures in the constituency.[51]

In late September, Nathan Gill, former Reform UK Wales leader who stopped being active in the party in 2021, pled guilty to counts of bribery from a pro-Russian politician in 2018 and 2019.[52] During the by-election campaign, Welsh Labour and the First Minister called on Reform's candidate, Llŷr Powell, to explain what he knew about the affair as he used to work as an adviser to Gill, though Reform argued that this was before Gill had committed any criminal acts.[52][53][54] In an interview with ITV Wales, Powell reiterated that he had stopped working for Gill in 2017 before the offences took place, and stated that Gill had hidden his activities from the party.[55] Powell furthermore described Gill's actions as a 'complete and utter betrayal' and 'an abhorrent thing to do' while also saying Labour was engaging in a 'desperate smear campaign' against Reform on social media.[56][57] On 3 October 2025, Welsh Labour retracted social media adverts implying Powell had links to Vladimir Putin after receiving a legal complaint from Reform.[58][59]

A TV debate between the candidates was held on 15 October.[60] Six candidates were asked questions by BBC Cymru Wales at an event held at the Bedwas Workmen's Hall and Institute.[61] Issues debated included the local library closures, the NHS and illegal immigration.[62]

Analysis

[edit]

The by-election was held in the run-up to the next Senedd election, due in May 2026. Plaid Cymru have led Caerphilly County Borough Council twice since devolution began in 1999, whilst the Senedd seat has been held by Labour for the duration of the period.[12] The by-election was described as a challenge for Labour by Reform and Plaid Cymru in their heartland.[63] The result is expected to "signal fundamental realignment" in Welsh politics.[64]

The Times predicted the Caerphilly by-election to be a close race between Reform UK's Llŷr Powell and Plaid Cymru's Lindsay Whittle, and forecast a Labour loss.[65] Labour MP Nia Griffith said the election would be "very challenging" for her party, believing Reform to be Labour's main challenger.[1]

The election leaves the incumbent Welsh Labour government of Eluned Morgan with a minority of 29 of 59 seats in the Senedd, and the election was discussed as likely making it more difficult for Morgan's government to negotiate the next Welsh budget for 2026 to 2027.[12]

Opinion polling

[edit]
Pollster Client Dates
conducted 		Sample
size 		Lab Plaid Con Lib Dem Reform Green Others Lead
By-election result 23 Oct 2025 – 11% 47.4% 2% 1.5% 36% 1.5% 0.5% 11.4
Survation Camlas 7–14 Oct 2025 501 12% 38% 4% 1% 42% 3% – 4
2021 Senedd election 6 May 2021 – 46.0% 28.4% 17.3% 2.7% 1.7% – 3.9% 17.6

Results

[edit]

The results were announced the day after the by-election, on 24 October 2025.[66]

2025 Caerphilly by-election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Plaid Cymru Lindsay Whittle 15,961 47.4 +19.0
Reform Llŷr Powell 12,113 36.0 +34.2
Labour Richard Tunnicliffe 3,713 11.0 −34.9
Conservative Gareth Potter 690 2.0 −15.3
Green Gareth Hughes 516 1.5 New
Liberal Democrats Steven Aicheler 497 1.5 −1.2
Gwlad Anthony Cook 117 0.3 New
UKIP Roger Quilliam 79 0.2 New
Majority 3,848 11.4 N/A
Turnout 33,689 50.43 +6.1
Registered electors 66,895
Plaid Cymru gain from Labour Swing –

Previous result

[edit]
2021 Senedd election (constituency): Caerphilly[67]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Hefin David 13,289 46.0 +10.7
Plaid Cymru Delyth Jewell 8,211 28.4 –1.1
Conservative Steven Mayfield 5,013 17.3 +8.4
Abolish Stephen Jones 1,119 3.9 New
Liberal Democrats Steven Aicheler 787 2.7 +1.3
Reform Tim Price 495 1.7 New
Majority 5,078 17.6 +11.8
Turnout 28,914 44.3 +1.0
Labour hold Swing

Aftermath

[edit]

Though they were expected to lose, Labour only gaining 11% of the vote was surprisingly low for them.[68] It was the party's worst drop in support for a Welsh by-election,[69] as well as their lowest vote share in Caerphilly since the January 1910 general election.[70] The Conservatives performed even worse with just 2% of the vote, losing their election deposit[71] and marking their worst by-election performance on record.[69]

Keir Starmer said he was "disappointed" with the result,[72] whilst some Labour MPs laid blame for the defeat at him. One told The Independent that there was "absolutely nothing Starmer can do to turn the political tide" and urged him to "consider his position now, not later, before the Labour Party sinks into the abyss".[73] Psephologist John Curtice told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the result suggested Plaid Cymru were best placed to win the upcoming Senedd election, meaning Labour were in "severe trouble".[74] Politico's Dan Bloom, meanwhile, said that it should be a warning to other centrist politicians across Europe.[75]

In a Guardian op-ed, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth wrote: "Many London commentators expected the seat to fall to Reform – perhaps even hoped it would. It would have fit the narrative that post-industrial communities naturally drift to the populist right. We proved them wrong. A message built on fairness, community and national purpose resonated with voters, and a comfortable majority voted for it."[76]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "Date announced for Caerphilly Senedd by-election after death of Hefin David". BBC News. 3 September 2025.
  2. ^ a b c "By-election to be called after death of Senedd member". ITV News. 18 August 2025. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  3. ^ Storey, Eleanor (24 October 2025). "High turnout in vital Caerphilly Welsh Parliament by-election as votes counted". The Independent.
  4. ^ "Caerphilly by-election shines new spotlight on historic town". www.bbc.com. 13 October 2025. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  5. ^ Gurner, Richard (3 July 2024). "Child poverty, cost-of-living, and food bank use hot topics at election hustings". Caerphilly Observer. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  6. ^ "Caerphilly's employment, unemployment and economic inactivity - ONS". www.ons.gov.uk. 14 May 2024. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  7. ^ Hill, Jonathon (29 March 2025). "'I believe everything Nigel says' Community alienated by cuts turns to Reform". Wales Online. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  8. ^ "BBC NEWS | VOTE 2001 | RESULTS & CONSTITUENCIES | Caerphilly". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  9. ^ Gurner, Richard (30 September 2025). "Is immigration really an issue for the Caerphilly Senedd by-election?". Caerphilly Observer. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  10. ^ a b Browne, Adrian; Slow, Oliver (12 August 2025). "Welsh Labour politician Hefin David dies aged 47". BBC Wales News. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  11. ^ "Welsh Labour MS Hefin David dies suddenly". ITV Wales News. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  12. ^ a b c d Shipton, Martin (15 August 2025). "By-election to be held in Caerphilly following sudden death of MS Hefin David". Nation.Cymru. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  13. ^ Haines, Chris (19 August 2025). "Caerphilly seat declared vacant after Hefin David's death". Cwmbran Life. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  14. ^ a b c Gosley, Ellie; Mosalski, Ruth (1 October 2025). "Caerphilly Senedd by-election date, candidates, how to vote, and result time". WalesOnline. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
  15. ^ a b Mansfield, Mark (3 September 2025). "Plaid selects former AM for Senedd by-election". Nation.Cymru. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  16. ^ Thomas, Nicholas (25 August 2025). "Plan to demolish 'unused' office block near Welsh Castle". Wales Online. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  17. ^ "Plaid selects former AM for Senedd by-election". Nation.Cymru. 3 September 2025. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  18. ^ Williams, Rhys (3 September 2025). "Plaid Cymru confirms Lindsay Whittle to stand in Caerphilly by-election". Caerphilly Observer. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  19. ^ [16][17][18][15]
  20. ^ a b Shipton, Martin (3 September 2025). "Former MP will not stand for Labour in crunch Caerphilly by-election". Nation.Cymru. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  21. ^ a b Shipton, Martin (8 September 2025). "Welsh Labour accused of control freakery after blocking would-be candidate for historic tweets backing Jeremy Corbyn". Nation.Cymru. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  22. ^ Gurner, Richard (8 September 2025). "Who is Richard Tunnicliffe? Labour's candidate for the Caerphilly Senedd by-election". Caerphilly Observer. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  23. ^ "Labour warns of cuts if it loses Caerphilly Senedd by-election". BBC News. 8 September 2025. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  24. ^ a b Gurner, Richard (6 September 2025). "Labour chooses Richard Tunnicliffe as Caerphilly by-election candidate". Caerphilly Observer. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  25. ^ Deans, David (6 September 2025). "Labour announce publisher as candidate for Caerphilly by-election". BBC News. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  26. ^ [23][24][25]
  27. ^ "Labour announce publisher as candidate for Caerphilly by-election". BBC News. 6 September 2025. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  28. ^ Price, Emily (11 September 2025). "Welsh Conservative candidate announced for Caerphilly by-election". Nation.Cymru. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  29. ^ "Tories pick ex-charity worker to stand in Caerphilly by-election". BBC News. 11 September 2025. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  30. ^ Browne, Adrian (11 September 2025). "Tories pick ex-charity worker to run in by-election". BBC News. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  31. ^ "'We'll throw everything at by-election' - Reform's Nigel Farage". BBC News. 12 September 2025. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  32. ^ Gosley, Ellie (12 September 2025). "Nigel Farage 'makes a face' as new candidate speaks Welsh". Wales Online. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  33. ^ Owen, Philip (16 September 2025). "Gwlad Selects Caerphilly Candidate". Gwlad. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
  34. ^ Williams, Rhys (17 September 2025). "Armed Forces veteran selected to represent Gwlad at Caerphilly by-election". Caerphilly Observer. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
  35. ^ Wightwick, Abbie (19 September 2025). "Welsh Lib Dems announce candidate for Caerphilly by-election". Wales Online. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
  36. ^ "Liberal Democrats focus on social care in Caerphilly by-election". BBC News. 19 September 2025. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
  37. ^ Shipton, Martin (23 September 2025). "Retired political journalist to stand for Greens in Caerphilly by-election". nation.cymru. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  38. ^ "Green Party selects ex-journalist for Caerphilly by-election". BBC News. 25 September 2025. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  39. ^ "National Executive Committee (NEC)". UKIP The New Right. 26 September 2025. Archived from the original on 26 September 2025. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  40. ^ Williams, Rhys (21 October 2025). "'Scrap the Senedd,' England-based by-election candidate says". Caerphilly Observer. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  41. ^ a b Price, Emily (3 September 2025). "Reform branded 'insensitive' over campaign mail to Caerphilly residents on day of late MS's funeral". Nation.Cymru. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  42. ^ Lewis, Gareth (3 September 2025). "The danger for Labour in the election no one wanted". BBC News. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  43. ^ Gurner, Richard (3 September 2025). "Reform campaign letter on day of MS's funeral was a 'kick in the gut'". Caerphilly Observer. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  44. ^ Deans, David (2 September 2025). "Reform would cut Welsh 'wasteful spending', Tice says". BBC News. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  45. ^ Mosalski, Ruth (3 September 2025). "The by-election to replace Hefin David is not an irrelevance - the result will affect all of us". Wales Online. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  46. ^ Davies, Andy (25 September 2025). "Is Labour set to lose in Caerphilly by-election?". Channel 4 News. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  47. ^ "Caerphilly leader quits Labour and backs Plaid for by-election". www.bbc.com. 11 September 2025. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  48. ^ Clarke-Ezzidio, Harry; Walker, Ben (24 October 2025). "Plaid Cymru ends century of Labour dominance in Caerphilly". New Statesman. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  49. ^ "Keir Starmer unsure if he'll campaign in Caerphilly by-election". BBC News. 25 September 2025. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  50. ^ "The Caerphilly by-election will be Keir Starmer's next big headache". Politics Home. 19 September 2025. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  51. ^ Browne, Adrian; Lewis, Rhodri (26 September 2025). "Labour accused of by-election hypocrisy on libraries". BBC News. Retrieved 25 October 2025.
  52. ^ a b Deans, David (26 September 2025). "Reform UK's ex-Wales leader Nathan Gill admits pro-Russia bribery". BBC News. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  53. ^ Price, Emily (30 September 2025). "First Minister calls on Reform Senedd candidate to explain what he knows about Gill bribes". Nation.Cymru. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  54. ^ Williams, Rhys (26 September 2025). "Ex-Reform leader pleads guilty to Pro-Russia bribery charges". Caerphilly Observer. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  55. ^ "Reform UK candidate in Caerphilly by-election distances himself from disgraced former boss Nathan Gill". Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  56. ^ "Our former Welsh leader 'betrayed us', says Reform candidate". Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  57. ^ "Reform candidate Llyr Powell breaks silence on ex-boss's 'abhorrent' crimes". Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  58. ^ Morris, Jacob (3 October 2025). "Reform issues legal threat over Putin jibe". Newyddion S4C. BBC News. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  59. ^ Gurner, Richard (6 October 2025). "Welsh Labour deletes post after Reform UK legal threat in Caerphilly by-election". Caerphilly Observer. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  60. ^ Mosalski, Ruth (15 October 2025). "Caerphilly by-election candidates clash on immigration". Wales Online. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  61. ^ "Caerphilly by-election: Four things we learned from BBC's debate". BBC News. 15 October 2025. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  62. ^ Lewis, Gareth (16 October 2025). "Caerphilly by-election: What was discussed in the debate?". BBC News. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  63. ^ Craig, Jon (22 October 2025). "Caerphilly by-election: Will Plaid or Reform have last laugh in Tommy Cooper's birthplace?". Sky News. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  64. ^ Morris, Steven (22 October 2025). "Caerphilly byelection could signal 'fundamental realignment' of Welsh politics". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  65. ^ Glancy, Josh (20 September 2025). "'We rely on Nigel now': Labour's Welsh collapse is trouble for Starmer". The Times. Archived from the original on 21 September 2025. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  66. ^ "Plaid Cymru wins by-election as Labour loses Caerphilly seat for first time". BBC News. 24 October 2025. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  67. ^ Senedd (2021). "Election results for Caerphilly: Senedd Election (Constituency) 2021 - Thursday, 6 May 2021". Senedd. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  68. ^ Lewis, Gareth (24 October 2025). "Plaid Cymru eyes Senedd success after historic Caerphilly by-election". BBC News. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  69. ^ a b Pickard, Jim; Williams, Jennifer (24 October 2025). "Labour humiliated — but could tactical voting save it from wipeouts?". Financial Times. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
  70. ^ Channel 4 News (24 October 2025). "Voters desert Labour for Plaid Cymru and Reform in Wales by-election?". Retrieved 27 October 2025 – via YouTube.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  71. ^ Neilan, Catherine (24 October 2025). "Plaid Cymru topples Labour in historic Caerphilly byelect..." The Observer. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  72. ^ Deans, David (24 October 2025). "Plaid Cymru wins Caerphilly by-election for Welsh Parliament". BBC News. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  73. ^ Cooke, Millie; Devlin, Kate (24 October 2025). "'Disappointed' Starmer in firing line over historic by-election defeat". The Independent.
  74. ^ Garcia, Lucy (24 October 2025). "'Labour in severe trouble': John Curtice gives verdict on Caerphilly result". The National.
  75. ^ Bloom, Dan (24 October 2025). "5 reasons Starmer's new election disaster should spook Europe's centrists". Politico.
  76. ^ Iorwerth, Rhun ap (25 October 2025). "How did we beat Nigel Farage and Reform in Caerphilly? We stood by our convictions". Retrieved 26 October 2025 – via The Guardian.