As voters prepare to head to the polls on 23 October, six candidates faced off in a lively televised debate at Bedwas Workmen’s Hall, tackling issues from council cuts to immigration and the state of the NHS.

The tone was set early when father-of-one Ryan Bevan asked how candidates would protect local libraries and leisure centres amid controversial closure proposals. Plaid Cymru’s Lindsay Whittle called the facilities “vital” and accused Labour of letting community spirit “fade away”.

Labour’s Richard Tunnicliffe, himself a children’s book publisher, insisted he had “fought to keep libraries open”, but rivals accused him of hypocrisy. Liberal Democrat Steve Aicheler said it was “the sort of thing that breaks people’s trust”.

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All we know about the fierce live TV debate between contenders for a key by-election

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