By Abbie Wightwick

Copyright walesonline

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have announced their candidate for the Caerphilly Senedd by-election following the death of Labour MS Hefin David last month. The party has announced that Steve Aicheler will be their candidate for the constituency. The by-election will be held on October 23. If elected Mr Aicheler would become the Liberal Democrats’ second MS alongside party leader Jane Dodds. Mr Aicheler, a councillor on Bedwas, Trethomas and Machen Community Council and a governor of Machen School , said that his campaign will focus on the theme of “care”. The candidate said he wants to tackle the social care crisis “to save the Welsh NHS ” and “prioritise childcare and education” in order to “give every child the best start in life”. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here . Apart from his work in the community, Mr Aicheler is operations manager for Enetrprise Educators UK where he lobbies national and regional government on entrepreneurship and education policy, among other responsibilities. He has previously founded multiple businesses in Caerphilly and has lived in Machen with his family for 20 years. “The Liberal Democrats know that Caerphilly deserves better than the managed decline approach of Labour and the Conservatives,” he said. “We’re only going to make things better for Caerphilly by focusing on what really matters. “Prioritising social care to free up the health service, prioritising childcare and education so our young people can thrive. Our local services are being ripped apart, and Caerphilly needs a real champion, not ‘magic wand’ politics.” The Liberal Democrats got more than 3.5 million votes at last year’s general election, becoming the largest third party in the UK since 1923 with 72 MPs. The most recent poll for next year’s Senedd election puts Plaid and Reform UK almost equally matched with just 1% between them. In terms of seats, the poll suggests Plaid could take 38 of the 96 seats, with Reform UK in second with 37. Labour would be trailing in third with just 11. Next month’s by-election will take place two months after the death of former MS Mr David, who passed away on August 12. Welsh politicians paid tribute to Mr David this week , describing him as a “fantastic father”. Welsh Government minister Ken Skates said:” Hefin was immensely proud to be a Senedd commissioner, how hard he worked, and how it gave him purpose. He wasn’t privileged or entitled in any way, shape or form, he believed in the power of education and skills to change the course of someone’s life.”