Putting National Parks at the Heart of Labour’s Mission

Published: 1 October 2026

Labour Party Conference in Liverpool this week offered an important opportunity for Campaign for National Parks to champion the role National Parks can play in delivering nature recovery, economic prosperity and healthier communities. 

As a co-organiser of Nature Day alongside the Labour Environment Campaign SERA and a broad coalition of environmental partners, Campaign for National Parks took part in discussions throughout the day on how Labour can put nature at the heart of its programme for government. Across four panels covering devolution, planning, rural growth and political leadership on nature, one message emerged consistently: nature is not a competing priority. It is a foundation for economic growth, resilient communities and national renewal. 

Our Head of Policy & Research, Ruth Bradshaw, on the panel (second from the right)

Nature as the common thread

The discussions reflected a growing consensus across the environmental sector, Parliament and industry that policy needs to become much more joined up if nature recovery is to succeed. 

A recurring theme was the opportunities created by Labour’s devolution agenda. Speakers highlighted the potential for place-based decision making to drive nature recovery, improve access to nature and help deliver the Government’s 30×30 commitments. There was widespread agreement that communities experiencing the greatest social and economic challenges are often those with the poorest access to nature and the greatest exposure to flooding, overheating and other climate impacts. 

The day’s discussions also reinforced the idea that nature must be seen as essential infrastructure. On planning, speakers argued that nature should be designed into development from the outset, rather than treated as a constraint or an afterthought. Good planning, good infrastructure and nature recovery should be working towards the same outcomes, not operating in separate silos. 

In conversations about rural communities, panelists highlighted how biodiversity, farming and economic prosperity depend on one another. There was support for the Government’s efforts to provide longer-term direction through initiatives such as the Land Use Framework, Environmental Improvement Plan and farming roadmap, while recognising that farmers need greater support, flexibility and investment to make nature recovery work on the ground. 

The final panel brought many of these themes together. Discussion focused on the need to make nature recovery a national mission, recognising that healthy ecosystems underpin economic resilience, public health and climate adaptation. Participants also highlighted the huge potential for skilled jobs and careers in nature restoration and land management, particularly for younger generations who are finding employment pathways more difficult to access. 

National Parks as part of the solution

Campaign for National Parks used the conference to make the case that National Parks should be central to this agenda. 

National Parks are not simply beautiful places to visit. They are national assets that provide clean water, store carbon, reduce flood risk, support rural businesses, drive tourism and improve public health. National Parks cover just 10% of the land area of England and Wales yet contain 38% of the nation’s peatlands, storing over 80 million tonnes of carbon. Tourism in England’s National Parks contributes around £4 billion annually to the economy. 

National Parks can also help deliver what Andy Burnham has called the ‘Makerfield Test’ by ensuring that people in every postcode benefit from nature. The benefits of National Parks extend far beyond their boundaries, helping protect nearby towns and cities from flooding, supporting water security, creating jobs and providing opportunities for people to connect with nature. 

The conference also provided an opportunity to highlight the important role National Parks could play within England’s evolving devolved structures. National Park Authorities already bring partners together at landscape scale and could play an even greater role if provided with enhanced powers and investment, alongside long-overdue reforms to their governance. 

The reforms we need Labour to deliver

Throughout conference, Labour ministers and speakers repeatedly emphasised themes of hope, renewal and long-term change. The Prime Minister spoke about the legacy of the 1945 Labour Government and the courage needed to make lasting change. National Parks form part of that same Labour legacy. Created through the post-war settlement, they were designed to improve people’s lives and expand access to nature. 

At fringe events, Nature Minister Jenny Riddell-Carpenter spoke passionately about the importance of nature in her own life, the need to put nature on an equal footing with climate change and the opportunities presented by the Government’s 30×30 commitments. Meanwhile, Defra Secretary Angela Eagle highlighted the impacts of climate change, including this summer’s wildfires, and argued that restoring nature is not a nice-to-have, but a necessity. 

Those messages align closely with Campaign for National Parks’ priorities. 

Labour committed in December 2024 to reform National Park purposes and governance for the first time in decades. We now need to see that commitment delivered. Current legislation does not include an explicit purpose around nature recovery or climate resilience, despite these being among the defining challenges of our age. National Park governance structures also need updating to ensure they are more diverse, representative and equipped with the skills needed to tackle modern challenges. 

We also continue to urge ministers to retain and strengthen the Protected Landscapes Duty. This important safeguard helps ensure public bodies properly consider National Parks when making decisions. It supports better planning and development outcomes and is not a barrier to growth or infrastructure delivery. 

Why conference matters

For Campaign for National Parks, attending party conference is about ensuring National Parks remain part of the national conversation at a critical moment. 

There is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape the future of these landscapes. Decisions taken over the coming years about governance reform, nature recovery, planning, farming and devolution will determine whether National Parks can realise their full potential in tackling climate change, restoring nature and connecting more people with the outdoors. 

Campaign for National Parks is working to make sure that opportunity is not wasted. By engaging with ministers, MPs, councillors and partners at events such as Labour Conference, we can help ensure National Parks remain a priority and secure the reforms they need to thrive.