'This is Rural' - Launch of CLA Cymru Manifesto at Royal Welsh Show

CLA Cymru officially launched its 2026 Senedd election manifesto, THIS IS RURAL at the Royal Welsh Show, engaging directly with senior political figures from both the Senedd and Westminster.

Set against the backdrop of one of Wales’ most important rural showcases, the manifesto was presented as a bold, practical vision for rural Wales — one that cuts through policy silos and calls for action across six interconnected areas: Farming, Tourism, Housing, Planning, Energy, and Connectivity infrastructure.

The strategy is founded in place and driven by people and follows the same remit that has created unprecedented advocacy success with the Government, one where we are an apolitical fact based friend.  Offering solutions supported by research and statistics.  We are the only organisation that covers the full spectrum of rural, beyond simply farming.

Throughout the week, CLA Cymru’s External Affairs lead Jacqui Pearce hosted a drop-in space where Members of the Senedd, MPs, local leaders, and partners were invited to explore the manifesto’s evidence-led proposals and rural economic priorities.

Among those who engaged were party leaders from Westminster including Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage who also held a Q&A with members and attended a closed door round table with farming unions in our pavilion to discuss policy priorities.  Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Wales Dame Nia Griffiths also spent significant time going over the specifics, paying particular attention to the energy and planning outlines we made.

From the Senedd, we met with the Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies who was keen to learn more about how to unlock economic barriers.   Alongside Darren Millar and Samuel Kurtz from the Conservatives and Llyr Grufford from Plaid Cymru.

“The reception was clear and constructive,” said Jacqui. “There is growing political recognition that rural Wales must be at the centre of our national conversation not treated as a policy afterthought, particularly with the change in constituencies which means a majority of the electorate is rural.”

Victoria Bond, Director of CLA Cymru, added: “It was heartening to see the level of engagement and energy around the manifesto launch. From party leaders to grassroots members, the message was clear, rural Wales matters, and there is real appetite for positive, practical solutions.”

The manifesto builds on engagement with CLA members and policy development through the cross-party Generating Growth report, which framed 19 rural economic recommendations, many of which are now being realised. THIS IS RURAL condenses those findings into six clear asks, each underpinned by strong data and driven by real-world member experience and research by our policy team.

Key messages include the call for a Cabinet-level Rural Delivery Unit, urgent planning and housing change, and rural-first infrastructure investment from energy to broadband.

With the 2026 election poised to reshape the Senedd, CLA Cymru’s manifesto sets the tone for what must come next.

If you want to ask any further questions about the statistics or policy then please contact the team who will be happy to help.