Manifesto highlights healthcare access, military compensation and support for children as key priorities ahead of Senedd election

THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION is urging politicians from all parties to take meaningful action to improve support for the Armed Forces community in Wales ahead of the Senedd elections in May.

The charity has published a new manifesto outlining the key areas where serving personnel, veterans and their families continue to face disadvantage, and where the next Welsh Government could take practical steps to improve support.

Central to the manifesto is the Armed Forces Covenant – the commitment that those who serve, or have served, in the Armed Forces, and their families, should face no disadvantage because of their service.

The RBL is calling on the Senedd and Welsh Government to strengthen their commitment to the Covenant by ensuring it is properly funded, clearly implemented across public services and regularly reviewed.

Access to healthcare is identified as a major concern. Because military families often move frequently as part of service life, they can face difficulties registering with GPs, dentists and other local health services.

The RBL says the next Welsh Government should introduce practical measures to make it easier for military families to access healthcare when they relocate.

The charity is also calling for fairer treatment of military compensation payments awarded to personnel or families who have suffered injury, bereavement or other harm through service.

In Wales, such payments are often treated as income during means-tested assessments for benefits or support services. The RBL argues that this practice unfairly disadvantages the very people the compensation is intended to help.

Support for children from military families is another key theme of the manifesto. Frequent school moves and long periods of separation from a parent can disrupt children’s education and wellbeing.

The RBL is calling for greater recognition of these challenges and improved support to ensure children from Armed Forces families are able to thrive in school.

John Williams, Head of Public Affairs and Campaigns at the Royal British Legion said: “The 2026 election is an important opportunity for the Senedd to prioritise the needs of the Armed Forces community.

“This manifesto focuses on the issues we believe are of greatest importance and sets out how the next Welsh Government can take them forward.

“The manifesto has been informed by evidence and lived experience, and we hope that by working with all parties we can ensure the unique contribution of the whole Armed Forces community is given the recognition it deserves.”

CAMPAIGN group ‘PARC Against DARC’ – launched in 2024 in opposition to the proposed US military radar installation at Brawdy – is calling for a county wide response to the official consultation on DARC Radar. 

As part of statutory public engagement obligations, London Based PR corporation Cascade Communications announced the opening of the public consultation on February 22, which will close four weeks later on March 22. They say the MOD will then submit an official planning application to Pembrokeshire County Council after which the local authority is expected to run its own public engagement and consultation process with agencies, stakeholders and the general public.

As a result, PARC Against DARC has launched what they describe as ‘a massive community led response of opposition’ which offers several ways of actively opposing the plans.  They are urging people to visit the consultation page on their website www.parcagainstdarc.com and take part in the consultation response via what they describe as ‘an accessible action-tools with simple one-click’ options to email the consultation and register opposition to the Radar plans. Emails can also be sent to Cascade Communications at: [email protected] directly.

The campaign group has already made significant inroads to stalling the plans in its first two years, with Plaid Cymru and the Green Party firmly supporting the campaign at national Party levels. Thirty eight elected politicians have also supported motions in both the Senedd and Westminster opposing the plans, with many pledging to escalate opposition through parliamentary procedures in both Cardiff and Westminster.

A spokesperson said: “There is already a massive momentum of opposition to this dangerous radar which if ever built would unquestionably be the most powerful, most high-radiation installation ever imposed on British soil. With residents a stone’s throw away from the edge of the base, the MOD’s absolute stone-cold refusal to publish any data for public scrutiny is disgusting, and we deserve better from our government, and the Labour Party. 

“When questioned about this and thousands of studies showing health risks, all the MOD does is trot out one widely-criticised research group that ignores the modern research body on radiation and is under intensive military lobbying influence, and expects residents here to shut up.”

PARC Against DARC claims their petition has been signed by over 18,000 people,while local politicians have pledged to fight the proposals in the High court.

“This is set to be a serious ‘vote killer’ in the upcoming Senedd elections this May,” said the spokesperson.

WALES’ Red Dragon is heading into a potential flashpoint in the eastern Mediterranean.

The HMS Dragon has been deployed by the Royal Navy to waters around Cyprus to strengthen air defences following a drone strike on the British base at RAF Akrotiri.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed the move as part of a wider effort to protect British personnel and assets in the region amid rising tensions in the Middle East.

Advanced air defence role

HMS Dragon is one of the Royal Navy’s six Type 45 destroyers — regarded as among the most capable air defence warships in the world.

Equipped with the Sea Viper missile system and advanced radar, the vessel is designed to:

• Track and intercept hostile aircraft
• Destroy incoming missiles
• Counter drone threats
• Provide protective cover for allied forces

The deployment is understood to be focused on safeguarding UK interests, including RAF Akrotiri, one of Britain’s two Sovereign Base Areas on the island.

A Welsh symbol at sea

Although a UK warship, HMS Dragon carries a strong Welsh identity. Her crest bears the Red Dragon of Wales, and she has longstanding links with Welsh communities.

Commissioned in 2012, she has previously visited Cardiff and is often referred to as having a “Welsh heart” within the fleet.

With tensions escalating across the region, the presence of a Type 45 destroyer signals a serious defensive posture by the UK Government.

What happens next?

Defence analysts say such deployments are intended as both protection and deterrence — ensuring that British bases and personnel are shielded from further drone or missile attacks.

For Wales, the sight of the Red Dragon sailing toward a volatile theatre of operations will be a source of pride — and a reminder that Welsh symbols continue to play a role on the global stage.