A heated moment in Caerphilly! 🎤 During a lively debate for the upcoming by-election, Cole Vyas and his mum Alison made headlines by confronting Reform UK’s Llyr Powell. They blamed his party’s rhetoric for making them feel unsafe in their hometown. 👩👦
Cole, 22, spoke out, questioning whether immigration is truly an issue in Caerphilly, citing census figures that show only 2.9% of the population was born outside the UK. Mr Powell’s response? A firm “yes,” echoing concerns about recent immigration trends.
Alison wasn’t having it. Born and bred in Caerphilly, she stepped up to share her personal struggle with feeling unwelcome in her own community. “I blame you, Mr Powell,” she said, emphasising how political rhetoric is impacting real lives. 🙅♀️
The debate got heated when Alison challenged Powell’s focus on policy over people. “We’re not policies, you’re talking about human beings,” she argued with passion. Powell retorted that the level of immigration was too high, but Alison was quick to bring it back to local concerns.
Mrs Vyas shared her fears for her sons’ futures in a climate of rising hate crimes, which she linked to divisive narratives. Cole agreed: “We’re all people at the end of the day,” stressing how such rhetoric can fuel misunderstanding and prejudice. 👥
A touching moment followed when a Ukrainian refugee thanked the Vyas family for their heartfelt contributions, with Alison responding, “We have to stick up for each other.”
Alison’s concerns extend beyond her family — she worries how a Reform UK victory could darken the future for everyone in Caerphilly. “This is about my boys, about their future. I feel like we’re going backwards,” she lamented. 😟
This debate reveals the real impact of political rhetoric on people’s lives and communities. What are your thoughts on this complex issue? Let’s talk and support each other! 🗨️💬 #CaerphillyDebate #CommunityStrength #StandTogether