---
title: "Senedd elections: What the political parties’ manifestos mean for humanists"
date: "2026-04-30T10:56:05+01:00"
modified: "2026-04-30T11:02:54+01:00"
url: "https://humanists.uk/2026/04/30/senedd-elections-what-the-political-parties-manifestos-mean-for-humanists/"
post_id: 189510
categories: ["News", "Wales"]
---

# Senedd elections: What the political parties’ manifestos mean for humanists

![](https://i0.wp.com/humanists.uk/wp-content/uploads/Wales-2-1.webp?resize=1200%2C600&ssl=1)Wales Humanists has today published a new analysis comparing Welsh political parties’ positions on key humanist issues ahead of the Senedd election on 7 May 2026. While there has been some progress in recent years, many parties still lack clear commitments on issues affecting non-religious people in Wales.

[**READ THE BRIEFING**](https://humanists.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026-03-12-KR-Senedd-Election-2026-party-grid-1.pdf)

---

[The briefing](https://humanists.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026-03-12-KR-Senedd-Election-2026-party-grid-1.pdf) brings together policies from Welsh Labour, Plaid Cymru, the Welsh Conservatives, Reform UK, the Welsh Liberal Democrats, and the Wales Green Party. It highlights where parties stand on issues including inclusive education, collective worship in schools, humanist marriages, human rights, and pastoral support in healthcare.

The analysis is based on the published manifestos and individual candidate responses that have been received.

#### Ending religious discrimination in school admissions

On ending religious discrimination in school admissions, no party sets out a clear commitment to change. Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru have no stated policies, while the Conservatives and Reform explicitly support maintaining the religious ethos of faith schools. There is also little support for reforming the law on collective worship in schools, with most parties failing to address the issue in their manifestos.

#### Legal recognition of humanist marriages

On legal recognition of humanist marriages, none of the parties make firm commitments in their Welsh manifestos. This is despite longstanding support from some parties at UK level and previous calls from the Welsh Government for urgent change.

#### Human rights protections

There are clearer dividing lines on human rights protections, with Plaid Cymru, the Liberal Democrats, and the Green Party expressing support for strengthening rights frameworks in Wales in their manifesto commitments. Meanwhile, assisted dying remains absent from most manifestos, continuing to be treated as a matter of individual conscience rather than party policy.

#### **Kathy Riddick, Wales Policy and Campaigns Manager at Humanists UK, said:**

> ‘This election should be a moment to make Wales fairer and more inclusive for everyone, regardless of their beliefs. But too many of the issues that matter to non-religious people are still being overlooked or left unclear.

> ‘We’ve seen real progress in the school curriculum, but that progress now needs to be extended to ending discrimination in school admissions, recognising humanist marriages, or making sure non-religious people have equal support in public services.’

#### Notes

For further comment or information, media should contact Wales Humanists Policy and Campaigns Manager Kathy Riddick at <kathy@humanists.uk> or phone 029 2168 3532.

The full comparison of party policies is available [here](https://humanists.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026-03-12-KR-Senedd-Election-2026-party-grid-1.pdf) as part of Wales Humanists’ election briefing. It draws on party manifestos and direct correspondence where policies were not publicly stated.

Wales Humanists is part of Humanists UK. Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 150,000 members and supporters, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. We provide ceremonies, pastoral care, education, and support services benefitting over a million people every year and our campaigns advance humanist thinking on ethical issues, human rights, and equal treatment for all.