Ukrainians intimidated by Reform placards in Caerphilly
Martin Shipton
Ukrainian refugees in Caerphilly believe that neighbours who display placards in support of Reform UK are telling them they are unwanted and should go home, we can reveal.
A community leader has told us that because Llyr Powell, Reform’s candidate in the October 23 Senedd by-election, has made the Welsh Government’s Nation of Sanctuary project his main campaign issue, Ukrainians who have settled in Caerphilly after fleeing Putin’s brutal invasion of their homeland now feel intimidated and insecure.
Mr Powell attacks the Nation of Sanctuary concept constantly, claiming that the £55m spent on it has been a waste of money. In fact, more than 80% of the money has gone towards helping to support and integrate Ukrainian refugees, the great majority of whom are women and children.
‘Terrible’
Yuliia Bond, who speaks English fluently and has organised many events that bring Ukrainian refugees and members of the local community together, told us: “Every time a Ukrainian comes out of their home and sees a Reform placard, they think they are being told to go home. It makes them feel terrible.
“I spoke to one of my neighbours who was displaying a Reform placard and asked her if she thought I should go home. She said no. I then asked her if she was aware that the Nation of Sanctuary money had been mainly spent on resettling Ukrainian refugees, and she wasn’t aware of that. Yet she and others have been stirred up into supporting Reform by all this misinformation.
In a post on her blog headlined Caerphilly for All: An Urgent Call to Protect Truth and Democracy in the October 23 By-Election, she states: “The sudden Caerphilly Senedd by-election on October 23 has come upon us unexpectedly, following the sad passing of Hefin David MS. In this short campaign window, far-right groups have mobilised large resources to spread fear and misinformation – especially about Wales’ Nation of Sanctuary scheme.
“Many people now risk voting against their own values and neighbours without realising it. We have already seen how a single misleading slogan can confuse people – some residents initially opposed ‘refugee support’, but when they learned that most of it helps Ukrainian families who fled war, they immediately said: ‘That’s fair – that’s what we’d want done for us.’
“When truth prevails, fear fades. But right now, truth doesn’t have time to catch up.
“We, members of the Ukrainian refugee community in Caerphilly, are deeply grateful for the kindness and sanctuary Wales has offered us. We work, study, volunteer, and give back. We are proud to be part of this community. Yet we are a small group, and the resources behind fear-based campaigning are vast.
“We are calling on everyone – politicians, community leaders, the media, and ordinary residents – to act together, fast, to make sure this election reflects the truth and the real values of Caerphilly.”
Support
Ms Bond goes on to appeal for support to different sections of the community.
Inviting politicians and Senedd Members to stand up for the truth, she writes: “Publicly refute false claims about the Nation of Sanctuary.
“Example: £55m was not wasted – it was invested over six years, and nearly 85% of that funding (over £45m) directly supported displaced Ukrainians to learn English, find work, and contribute to Welsh society. Refugee doctors, nurses, and teachers are already filling vacancies and paying taxes.
“Show cross-party unity. Publicly affirm that compassion and truth are Welsh values, not political divides. Issue a joint statement saying Caerphilly rejects hate and misinformation.
“Meet the community. Visit host families, refugees, and local groups. Share real examples of how support has strengthened our town – such as Ukrainian families opening small businesses, working and volunteering.
“Counter fear with facts on the doorstep. Remind voters that immigration levels are set by Westminster, not the Senedd – this election is about how we treat people already living among us.
“Explain what’s at stake for everyone.
“If refugee support is cut, the NHS loses staff, schools lose funding, and communities lose talent. Supporting refugees supports Caerphilly.”
Facts
Turning to community leaders, faith groups and organisations, she urges them to strengthen local understanding: “Host urgent information forums in churches, halls or schools where people can ask questions and get facts from credible sources.
“Include refugee speakers, local employers, and host families. I can direct you to credible organisations funded by the Welsh Government that would be happy to help with these sessions.
“Share positive, fact-based messages through newsletters, social media, and noticeboards.
“Explain that the Nation of Sanctuary budget is tiny compared to overall spending and that most of it benefits Ukrainian families in Wales.
“Show unity publicly. Join refugees at community events, share photos of togetherness, or hold a short ‘Caerphilly for All’ gathering. Visibility matters.
“Equip your members to speak up kindly when they hear falsehoods – at work, in school, or online. Encourage fact-sharing, not argument.”
Media
Appealing to the media to uphold integrity and context, Ms Bond states: “Fact-check candidate claims about migration and spending.
“Make clear that only 2.9% of Caerphilly’s residents were born abroad – the lowest rate in Wales – and that most sanctuary funds go to support Ukrainians.
“Provide clear explanations, not just quotes. Outline what the Nation of Sanctuary policy actually does: English lessons, work support, mental-health aid, and integration – not ‘open borders’.
“Highlight human stories. Profile Ukrainian entrepreneurs, NHS workers, and volunteers. There are many examples of refugees giving back. Please feel free to contact me. We can provide factual info on real positive impact.
“Expose misinformation networks. Investigate who funds or coordinates far-right messaging in the area. Shine light on disinformation so residents can recognise manipulation when they see it.”
Addressing every resident, she urges them to think, check and vote with their heart: “Check the facts before believing posts or flyers. A quick look at Full Fact, BBC Reality Check, or Senedd Research can reveal how slogans distort reality.
“Talk to friends and neighbours. Calm, factual conversations change minds faster than debates. Remind people that supporting neighbours in need is part of who we are.
“Share one verified fact every day across Facebook, WhatsApp, and local groups – short, visual, and easy to read. Example: Did you know? Almost 85% of Wales’s Nation of Sanctuary funding supports Ukrainian families rebuilding their lives and working here in Wales.
“Vote with your values. If a message relies on fear or anger, pause and ask: ‘Who does this really help?’ Choose hope, decency, and fairness.”
Community
In conclusion, Ms Bond states: “This election is not only about one seat – it’s about what kind of community we are.
“Will we let fear and misinformation divide us, or will we defend Caerphilly’s tradition of fairness, and honesty?
“The next two weeks will decide more than a result – they will test our values. Let’s make sure that truth and empathy win over fear and falsehood. As we say in Ukraine: In unity, there is strength.
“Caerphilly has shown that strength before; now we must show it again. Together, let’s ensure this election truly represents the heart of Caerphilly – fair, informed, and for all.”
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They are not the only ones. People like myself, people of colour, are frightened for our futures. I have seen and felt the rhetoric of the British national front in the 80s. I can see this happening all over again. It wasn’t much fun then and it won’t be fun now.
I suspect that people of colour have more to fear than Eastern Europeans. Not so much the leadership of Reform although they can be erratic in their direction of thought. It’s the segment of rank and file drawn from the dregs of past iterations of racist movements like the BNP, NF, PA, BF etc etc that are likely to cause random trouble. From the outside looking in the Reform presence among Caerffili residents is more likely agitated by the decades of government indifference to their plight than any presence of “other races/ethnicities”. Look out for the bussed-in rabble from out… Read more »
Da iawn Yuliia. Truly inspirational. You would think that Caerffili would be a safe place for our Ukrainian friends. I cannot imagine how awful it must feel to have Russia/Reform UK spat in their faces by some neighbours and Dic Sion Dafydd y bradwr.
Nigel Farage’s Reform UK is a far-right English Nationalist Party, essentially uncaring towards any nationality other than English. It has some notable unsavoury members, the odd criminal and even a convicted traitor in Nathan Gill. That they oppose the compassionate concept of Wales – a nation of sanctuary – isn’t at all surprising. Indeed, they doubtless deny that the people of Wales are a nation at all. I suggest that Unkranian people in Caerffili persuade as many people as possible not to vote for Reform in the Senedd by-election.
What she said. Exactly what she said.
We can rely on Reform to bring out the worst of us. No thanks, Llyr Powell. What I see in Cymru are families and businesses struggling to cope with the incompetence of successive Tory/Labour/Reform (they are all the same!) governance and the fiscal naiveté of Rachel from Accounts and her predecessors. What I don’t see are neighbours and communities being other than Good Samaritans to those in need and promoting sanctuary. That good heartedness is what makes Cymru strong. And the intelligence to recognise that the neoliberalist economic fantasies have always been a failure. Reform have nothing to offer Cymru,… Read more »
Horrible party, playing on the most base and tribal of human emotions.
Cant think why. Oh, apart from farage (ex UKIP, ex Brexit Party) fluffing for Russia as an MEP, his appearance on RT, the speeches in favour of Russia including voting against measures to hold Russia to account and then his best bud in Wales, Gill, taking the ruble around the same time as one vote that farage fluffed for putin. Then there is the last two years of reforms owner trying to get the UK on fire with race riots, getting a convicted woman who called for hotels to be burned down on stage for applause and now Mr Powell… Read more »
As a proud Welshman born and bred I know that the vast majority of Welsh people are warm, compassionate decent human beings and welcome Yulia and others fleeing war and persecution with open arms. We must stop this far right nasty English imperialist racist party in its tracks and I believe the people of Caerphilly will reject them in 2 weeks time
Reject ‘Reject UK’!
I almost feel we have to apologise for this truly awful policy pushed by extreme elements within Wales. These Ukrainians have been a blessing to us and I for one am proud that we have been able to support them. Wales is and must be better than this.
Only Plaid can beat Reform. The Pro-Wales majority must embrace tactical voting.
Except where Labour will pull more votes. Really, this needs to be a two team effort .
Not now Welsh Labour have been abandoned by London Labour.
They’ve done nothing substantial for Port Talbot. They’ve rowed back on devolution. They’ve funded poor value for money infrastructure in London but nothing new in Wales. Even the crumbs intended to plug Tory holes are over ten years and could be reversed by Refcon 2029.
Let’s turn this around. What have London Labour done for Wales?
It’s now proportional representation for Senedd elections.
Better to keep the usual -vote Labour only they can keep out the Tories [now Reform] project fear until the first past the post general election.
Really this effort to trick those who’d vote Plaid to vote Labour to save Labour’s skin is getting embarrassing.
If Labour wanted more votes they should’ve adopted preference voting.
It is sickening to see the Draig Goch on the same poster as reform.
That’s because they’re two-faced opportunists who are happy to pretend they’re pro-Wales in order to win the votes of the gullible.
Yes, only the gullible will vote Reform. Intelligent people know that the party are made up of liars, scoundrels and failed ship-jumping conservative politicians who have no loyalty whatsoever and are only out to serve and care for themselves.
Nonsense. The Brexit boats are a small price to pay for our freedom to not work with our neighbours in areas of mutual benefit.
I feel far far safer with Ukrainians in my community than Reform supporters.
I’d definitely keep my children well away from a house with a reform sign outside.
Asylum seekers, by law, are allowed to arrive however they please, including yes by rubber dinghy, swimming, parachuting. Their entry to the UK is prescribed in law as legitimate. The only real issue we have is that it takes forever to process these asylum cases in large part due to the austerity measures of the previous government that stripped the home office of half its staff and a complete failure to do anything about that when the waves began arriving, because they didn’t want to be seen to granting refugee status to brown people or gosh muslims. I think most… Read more »
If asylum seekers had to pass through border control to be eligible for safety then it would be impossible for them to escape a repressive regime. They would rely on the government that means them harm to issue a passport, which is a ridiculous situation. Britain operates a system where asylum seekers need to be in the UK before they can apply for asylum (except for those from a limited country Ukraine, and for a time Afghanistan but I think that scheme ended). So we create a system that forced people to enter the country and then pretend to be… Read more »
It’s an old story. The real bad guy gets a silly little boy to do his dirty work. Nigel gets Llŷr to betray his compatriots. Use the flag as a ruse to pull in the simpletons. In 30 years time, Llŷr will suffer the same fate as those in the Nuremberg trials. Despite his name, a little Englander set to put our country back so many years that we will never drag ourselves out of poverty, and thus be ever-beholden and chained to his beloved England.
I feel unwanted from the rise of the far right hate and lies. I distrust people further from it. The past insults and mocking of us Welsh are on the tip of these thugs tongues again. The return of the nationa lfront and very obvious hate I have seen throughtout my childhood is so close again. It sickens me when people wear poppies and vote for the same old vile unhuman people that cause problems, that got people killed.