The Welsh Parliament stands in what was known as Tiger Bay – a multicultural melting pot during the 18-1900s, home to around 50 nationalities working the docks.
The area remains diverse.
Outside Togayo Cafe we get chatting to Somali-born friends Omar Mohammad and Abdiqadir Mohamoud, who settled in Cardiff in the 90s and early 2000s.
“They talk about immigration like every immigrant that comes here is a bad immigrant,” Omar tells me – as we discuss the opinion-poll rise of Reform UK in Wales.
The latest one puts Nigel Farage’s party second behind Plaid Cymru, with Greens third and the long-dominant Labour battling for fourth place with the Conservatives.
If it’s right, it’ll be a political earthquake for a country that has been led by Labour since devolution began – and long before that.
“We’re immigrants, we’re working, we pay our taxes, and most of the people who come here want a better life. They’re not here to destroy this country, they’re just here to make their families better.”
He says he’ll vote Labour – and definitely not Reform: “Because that’ll be the last time I’m here then – I’ll probably be sent back, sent back!”
But Abdiqadir feels the immigration debate has been blown out of proportion.
“They are fuelling the people who are against immigrants – that is a problem. I think there is an exaggeration in immigration in this country.”
‘Labour promised so much’
Forty-five minutes north into the heart of the Welsh Valleys – and you reach the Gurnos Estate in Merthyr Tydfil.
Nearly two years ago, Reform leader Nigel Farage came here; it is one of the most deprived areas of Wales.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage in Merthyr Tydfil on the general election campaign trail in June 2024. Pic: PA
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