‘Our Communities, Our Transport’: Our Movement’s Manifesto for the 2026 Scottish and Welsh Elections
Voters in Scotland and Wales go to the polls in May 2026 for devolved parliamentary elections.
We believe that everyone in Scotland and Wales should have access to local transport which meets their needs, no matter who they are or where they live.
We believe that the next Scottish Government and the next Welsh Government can make this happen by working with us to empower more communities to put local transport back into local hands.
Our Community Transport movement is uniting to call on all of those who are standing for election to the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh and the Senedd in Cardiff to commit to:
· Invest in Community Solutions
· Improve Access to Health & Social Care
· Accelerate Community-Led Climate Action
Our Manifestos don’t tell anyone who to vote for or who not to vote for. Instead, our Manifestos we’re telling candidates and parties what our communities need from Holyrood and Cardiff Bay to achieve our movement’s vision.
Scotland
Click here to download our Manifesto for Scotland.
Wales
Click here to download our Manifesto for Wales in English.
Click here to download our Manifesto for Wales in Cymraeg.
Why have we created the manifestos?
Like many membership organisations and representative bodies, we’ve produced a manifesto to articulate the major priorities of our sector ahead of a potential turning point in politics and policy.
We want to ensure that elected representatives understand the needs and challenges of our members across Scotland and Wales, so that they can design policy, strategy and investment in the right way.
How will we be using the manifestos?
The manifestos will be a key resource for us not just over the next few months, but over the next few years. It will guide our decisions as we focus on what matters most to our members.
We will use the manifestos to:
· Engage with political parties to inform and influence their own manifestos;
· Meet with newly elected MSPs and MSs;
· Meet with newly appointed Ministers;
· Talk to journalists about our movement;
· Explain to stakeholders the key needs and challenges of our movement; and,
· Shape our next steps in our policy, research and campaigns work.
How can you use the manifestos?
The manifestos belong to everyone in the Community Transport movement in Scotland and Wales. All CTA members and supporters can use it to advocate for themselves and for our sector.
We encourage you to:
· Send it to your local candidates ahead of polling day;
· Share it with your allies, supporters and funders;
· Ask a question about it at your local hustings;
· Write a blog about the priority which means the most to you and your organisation; and/or
· Ask your local press to cover it.
How does campaigning work?
As a registered charity, CTA is always politically neutral. We do not endorse or support any political party or candidate, nor do we seek to influence voters to vote in a particular way.
Our manifesto and campaign are only intended to inform and influence the positions and policies of the UK Government by engaging with political parties and candidates. It is not intended to promote or procure the electoral success of one or more political parties, political parties or candidates who support or do not support particular policies or another particular category of candidates.
Click here to find out more about electoral law in relation to non-party campaigners and regulated campaign activities.
Where can I find out more about the elections?
The Electoral Commission is an independent body which regulates elections and political finance in the UK. You can find their website here.
Voters in Scotland or Wales will not need to show photo ID to vote in Scottish Parliament or Welsh Senedd elections, but they do need to be registered to vote. Click here to find out how to register to vote.