Blue spaces, including rivers, lakes, coasts and seas, are often linked to health, wellbeing, the environment and local communities. Below is a neutral summary of how the main Welsh parties’ 2026 Senedd manifestos reference blue spaces, based on published commitments at the time of writing.
This content summarises publicly available manifesto statements. Paddle Cymru does not endorse any political party or policy position.
What do the manifestos say?
Plaid Cymru
- Refers directly to access to nature, including rivers and coasts, as part of wellbeing, health and planning policy.
- Describes land and water environments as shared assets for communities.
- Includes commitments to improve water quality, addressing sewage and agricultural pollution and supporting catchment‑based management.
Welsh Labour
- Focuses primarily on environmental improvement rather than explicitly on public access to nature or blue spaces.
- Sets out measures to improve water quality, including action on sewage discharges, agricultural pollution, regulation and enforcement.
Wales Green Party
- Explicitly frames rivers, seas and coasts as commons, with emphasis on safe public access.
- Includes detailed proposals on water quality, including ending sewage pollution, restoring rivers and wetlands, and introducing legally binding targets.
Welsh Liberal Democrats
- Refer to protecting and improving access to local green and blue spaces, highlighting community wellbeing and recreation.
- Commit to tackling water pollution, strengthening enforcement and improving transparency around water quality.
Welsh Conservatives
- Do not set out specific proposals relating to access to nature or blue spaces.
- Refer to water and environmental issues mainly in the context of regulation and farming policy, with limited detail on measures to improve water quality.
Reform UK (Wales)
- Do not reference access to nature or blue spaces in their manifesto.
- Do not include specific proposals aimed at improving water quality or tackling waterway pollution.
CONTACT THE MEDIA TEAM
If you have a story that would be of interest to the Paddle Cymru team please get in touch using the online contact form linked below or get in contact using one of our social feeds.
SIGN UP TO CEUFAD MAGAZINE
Ceufad is our quarterly magazine, covering everything that's important in Welsh paddlesport.
Share Post
Mae diweddariadau a nodiadau atgoffa diweddar gan Paddle UK a Paddle Scotland wedi ysgogi trafodaeth newydd ynghylch diogelwch tennyn PWS, yn enwedig mewn amgylcheddau dŵr symudol a dŵr gwyn. Ar yr olwg gyntaf, efallai y bydd rhai padlwyr yn teimlo'n ddryslyd. Mae un person yn dweud y dylech chi wisgo tennyn bob amser. Mae un arall yn dweud na ddylech chi wisgo un mewn dŵr gwyn. Efallai bod hyfforddwyr yn dysgu rhywbeth gwahanol eto.
Recent updates and reminders from Paddle UK and Paddle Scotland have prompted renewed discussion around SUP leash safety, particularly in moving water and white water environments. At first glance, some paddlers may feel confused. One person says you should always wear a leash. Another says you shouldn't wear one in white water. Coaches may be teaching something different again.
This autumn, Paddle Cymru is bringing clubs, coaches and volunteers together through a series of development events designed to support the growth of paddlesport across Wales.
