With the Senedd election fast approaching and campaigning now well underway, political parties have published their manifestos setting out their priorities ahead of polling day on 7 May 2026.
Below are easy-to-access links to the manifestos of those political parties which, based on recent polling, are most likely to secure representation in the next Senedd.
Each manifesto includes policies of relevance to rural Wales, whether focused directly on rural communities, farming and land use, or addressing wider economic and public service issues that significantly affect rural areas.
Order below is based on current seat allocation in the Senedd. Each party addresses rural issues to varying degrees and in different contexts.
Welsh Labour
Rural matters are noted in a number of chapters in the manifesto. One example being: ‘shine a spotlight on rural Wales with a new Rural Economic Development Plan and strengthened processes for considering decisions through a rural lens.’
To read the manifesto in full visit: Manifesto 2026 – Welsh Labour
Plaid Cymru Senedd manifesto
The manifesto notes a number of policies relevant specifically to rural communities. One example being in the ‘new deal for rural Wales’ cited. The policy goes on to state the need to put ‘robust rural proofing of all spending plans and policy programmes on a statutory footing’.
To read the manifesto in full visit: Manifesto 2026 – Plaid Cymru
Welsh Conservatives – Senedd manifesto
Along with their main manifesto. The Welsh Conservatives have published a manifesto specifically covering rural Wales. Noted as ‘setting out a comprehensive plan to back farmers, strengthen rural communities and grow the rural economy’. Link to the rural Wales specific manifesto can be found here: Welsh Conservatives – Launch Plan For Rural Wales
To read the manifesto in full visit: Manifesto 2026 – Welsh Conservative
Reform UK
Reform UK highlight a number of ‘agriculture and the countryside’ policies from ‘reform of the sustainable farming scheme’ through to ‘apprenticeships in rural Wales’.
To read the manifesto in full visit: Manifesto 2026 – Reform UK
Welsh Liberal Democrats
Rural issues covered from increased broadband access in ‘rural communities’ through to ‘rural access to services’.
To read the manifesto in full visit: Manifesto 2026 – Welsh Liberal Democrats
Green Party
The Green Party manifesto mentions rural in the context of ‘food, farming and agriculture’ as well as the wider social context such as ‘small rural schools’.
To read the manifesto in full visit: Manifesto 2026 – Wales Green Party
