VOTERS are being encouraged to cast a first vote before Thursday’s general election at a pub near Cwmbran by selecting a burger which represents their favoured political party.

For nearly a fortnight The Gate at Llanfrechfa has sold burgers with what they say are political affiliations. They will finish serving them on Thursday, once this year’s general election is completed.

The Gate at Llanfrechfa’s owner James Dawson said: “We started it as a bit of fun really to give them something to laugh about rather than cry.

“Everyone has entered into the spirit of it. To be honest I am not sure the people buy the burger of the party they’re voting for.”

Only four haggis burgers have been bought at the pub, he said, demonstrating a lack of enthusiasm for the rampant SNP in Wales despite the party’s leader Nicola Sturgeon having a big impact on the recent leaders’ debates.

And two of the candidates standing in the Monmouth constituency, in which the pub is located, have visited the restaurant over recent days.

Conservative candidate David Davies also visited the restaurant while canvassing in the area but said he didn’t pick out one of the burgers, it being too early for dinner but too late for lunch when he visited on Monday afternoon.

He said he hoped to celebrate with one of the True Blue burgers, which is topped with blue cheese and bacon, after Thursday’s general election and stay true to his party affiliation.

But he said he was also tempted by the Plaid Cymru burger and hoped Mr Dawson would keep them on the menu after May 7.

Mr Davies said: “I like lamb and chilli. But that does not herald some coalition.”

About 10 Labour activists had earlier descended on The Gate with its Monmouth candidate Ruth Jones on Monday afternoon.

Mrs Jones said: “All of us had the Labour burger. It was very tasty, very meaty. It was just what the doctor ordered.”

Fellow Labour candidate Jessica Morden, who is standing to be re-elected as the representative for Newport East, was with the group. Mr Dawson knows Ms Morden from his time running The Golden Lion in Magor.

The Liberal Democrat candidate Veronica German said given the chance she would pick the Lib Dems’ mid-Glamorgan sausage burger topped with fried onions and mozzarella “and wouldn’t bother with any others.”

The English Democrats’ Stephen Morris said he preferred lamb to beef so would choose the Plaid burger but would steer clear from the party’s policies.

Vegetarian and Green Party candidate Christopher Were said he would have no other choice than go for his party’s high fibre chickpea and coriander burger.

And Jonathan T Clark, standing for Plaid Cymru, said he could “eat chillies with cornflakes” so he would also choose his party’s.

Ukip's candidate Gareth Dunn was unavailable to a comment on what his choice would be yesterday.