Conversations with candidates

With elections just around the corner, the wildlife we love needs us to act now. 

If each of us speak up, we can let the candidates competing to become our future MSs know that protecting and restoring our natural world must be a priority in the next Senedd. 

In this guide you’ll find useful tips to help you have effective and impactful conversations with parliamentary candidates and canvassers in Wales – whether that’s on your doorstep, via email, or at a local hustings event.  

The Senedd election on 7 May is a crucial one for nature. Wales has committed to international targets to halt wildlife loss and protect 30% of land and sea by 2030 – and that means these targets must be reached during the next Senedd. The people we choose to elect will ultimately decide if that happens or not.  

In short, this election matters.  

It matters because hitting these targets would be a pivotal moment for nature, and for all of us. It would transform the future for our precious wildlife, which has for too long been in a spiral of decline. It would protect and expand the wonderful wild places in our towns, cities, countryside and seas, increasing the wildlife on our doorsteps and in the special places which should be a haven for nature.  

This election, we can all play a part in making sure our candidates know that nature can’t wait any longer. If enough of us speak up, we can put pressure on politicians from all parties to make sure the commitments to restore and revive our natural world become a reality. This would be a massive win for nature, and for us. 

We’re calling on everyone to get involved – nature needs you to take action!

Politicians need to know that their constituents care about nature, are concerned about its current state, and expect them to act to restore it. The most effective way to get this across is by speaking honestly about your own views and concerns, and what matters to you in your area. This could range from access to nature in your local community, to wildlife declines in Wales and the lack of action being taken to address this.

Sharing your views in your own words will have the strongest impact, and will help them understand that nature needs to be a priority in the upcoming Senedd.

• Be clear 
  Letting your candidate know from the outset that you want to talk about nature can help get your conversation going. 
   

• Bring up local issues 
  Politicians respond well to issues they can champion in their communities. Think about how you’d like to see nature restored or improved in your constituency.  
   

• Be persistent  
  Politicians sometimes don’t want to be pinned down. Don’t be afraid to push them for specifics and commitments. 
   

• Be concise  
  Think about what you might say, and what subject area you might want to focus on, beforehand, especially if you’re going to a hustings!  
   

• Stay respectful  
  Everyone has different opinions, so remember to refrain from using hostile language. It’s not only the polite thing to do, it’ll help convey your point of view in a more memorable and effective way. 
   

• Follow up 
  If you still have concerns or questions, don’t be afraid to ask how to stay in touch with your candidate to continue the discussion both during and after the election. Keeping the conversation going is essential for holding our politicians to account and ensuring they follow through on their commitments to protect the natural world. 

During the election, you might get members of a candidate’s team knocking on your door. Although they can’t make promises on behalf of the candidate, and might not be able to answer detailed policy questions, they are a direct link between you and your potential future MS.

With that in mind, it’s an important opportunity to convey your concern for nature and explain how it might affect your vote. And remember, if you’d like to talk to their party’s candidate, just ask! 

Hustings are events where candidates in an election campaign meet voters to discuss their priorities. They can take place in person or online, and provide a platform for candidates to present their policies and answer questions. These questions are normally submitted beforehand and often focus on local issues, or themes such as nature and climate, making them the perfect opportunity for you to speak up for wildlife.