A Manifesto for Action: Senedd Election 2026
Published: 23 April 2026
In a little over 12 months time the people of Wales will be heading to the polls for the 2026 Senedd election, deciding the outcome of what is set to be one of the most consequential elections since devolution in 1999.
The Labour party have been successful in securing power at every Senedd election since the establishment of the Welsh Assembly, but the stakes are higher than ever in May 2026 with an expanded number of Senedd members and new rules introduced in the past year. From May the Senedd will have 96 members instead of 60 and everyone who is 16+ will now have one vote, choosing a political party or independent candidate rather than an individual.
With more members and a new closed proportional list system the makeup of the Senedd could look very different next year. In the face of climate breakdown, a nature crisis, and fragmenting rural communities, it will be absolutely vital at this election that Designated Landscapes are given the tools they need to tackle some of the biggest challenges Wales faces today and into the future.
So that’s why Campaign for National Parks and the Alliance for Welsh Designated Landscapes are calling on the next Welsh Government to prioritise Wales’ Designated Landscapes in the next term of Government, taking urgent action to bring forward reforms which will maximise their potential to be more nature-rich, inclusive and enjoyed by all.
As we head toward the election, campaign for National Parks alongside the Alliance for Welsh Designated Landscapes will be asking all political parties in Wales to be bold and ambitious with five key asks:
- A new National Park for the People of Wales: A commitment to delivering a new National Park in North East Wales which includes the coastline, is an exemplar for biodiversity and climate, and which boosts local communities.
- Rapid Nature Recovery of Designated Landscapes: An updated legislative agenda which enables nature recovery in Designated Landscapes to go further and faster toward Welsh Government’s agreed 30×30 target. This should include a new nature recovery and climate purpose for Designated Landscapes with a stronger duty on public bodies to further this purpose.
- Funding the Future of Designated Landscapes: The restoration of funding, in real terms to 2010 levels, a funding commitment for the next decade, and ringfenced additional money for the new National Park.
- Designated Landscapes Supporting Rural Wales: Backing farmers in National Parks through an enhanced Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) and a long-term commitment to the Ffermio Bro programme. As well as a strong visitor levy and improved sustainable transport.
- Accessible National Parks for All: A future designation programme which includes updating designation criteria, new National Landscapes, and the extension of National Parks into the marine environment to enable National Parks at land, coast and sea. We also want to see a right for every child in Wales to have an adventure in a Designated Landscape with outdoor learning experiences being a core part of the National Curriculum. The expansion of freedom to roam, and the reform of National Park Authority governance with a role for citizen assemblies.