NOT one of Labour’s seven list candidates for the Ceredigion Penfro seat turned up for farming hustings in either Pembrokeshire or Ceredigion.

Local branches of the Farmers’ Union of Wales, NFU Cymru, and the Young Farmers’ Clubs hosted hustings in Aberaeron on April 14 and Haverfordwest on April 21. Labour has seven candidates standing on its list for the new constituency. They did not send a representative to either event.

Farming has been a central issue in the lead-up to the 2026 Senedd election in Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire. Candidates are facing intense scrutiny over policy, funding, and regulation.

It is likely that one of Labour’s candidates will find time to send a representative to a Green Community & Climate hustings. This event is organised by Friends of the Earth in Narberth this evening, Friday, April 24.

Agriculture and linked businesses are significant contributors to the local economy, especially in rural areas. Over the last Senedd term, Labour in Wales did very little to endear itself to farming communities. There has been widespread criticism of its alleged lack of interest in, or care for, rural Wales and the rural Welsh economy. Labour’s cause was not helped by the Labour Westminster government’s handling of inheritance tax and rural enterprise taxation issues.

The Westminster Government made a partial climbdown over the taxation changes. Despite the efforts of Labour’s Rural Affairs Minister Huw Irranca Davies to rebuild bridges with the farming community, farming and rural policy remain a weakness for Labour in Wales. Mr Irranca Davies’ task was not eased by the fact that his predecessor, Lesley Griffiths, had demolished those bridges.

There is considerable resentment across rural Wales about Labour’s perceived neglect. Polls suggest the Party will struggle in North and West Wales.

“GUTLESS” LABOUR “NOT BOTHERED” ABOUT RURAL WALES

Conservative candidate for Ceredigion Penfro, Samuel Kurtz, told The Herald: “It was a privilege to take part in these important hustings and to hear directly from farmers and young people about the challenges and opportunities facing our rural communities.

“As a Senedd Member, I have always stood on the side of farmers, and I am proud of that record. Farming is the silver thread running through our communities, economically, culturally and socially, and it must be protected and supported. That is something I understand not just politically but personally, as a farmer’s son.

“If re-elected, I look forward to continuing to champion Welsh agriculture and ensuring that our farmers have a friend they can depend on.

“It was, however, deeply disappointing that Labour could not be bothered to attend either the Ceredigion or Pembrokeshire farm hustings. That absence speaks volumes and demonstrates a clear disregard for rural Wales and the people whose livelihoods depend on agriculture.”

Liberal Democrat candidate Alistair Camerson said: “It was a good, lively debate. We covered many of the stresses our farmers and rural communities are facing. These include rising prices, government regulations, problems with the Sustainable Farming Scheme, and the mental health challenges facing farmers and those in the countryside.

“Labour should have been present to listen to the farmers and understand the real and devastating impact Welsh Government policies are having on our farming communities.”

A Reform UK spokesperson said: “Labour’s assault on our farming communities has been relentless.

“It’s little wonder Labour candidates don’t have the guts to face our farmers, given the party’s record.

“Reform will back our farmers, because they are the best in the world at what they do.”

Plaid Cymru’s lead candidate in Ceredigion Penfro, Elin Jones, told us: “In this area, farming hustings are an important event in the election calendar. Farmers are always keen to understand the details of manifesto promises and to hold politicians to account.

“It didn’t go down well that Labour failed to show twice. To miss one could be seen as careless, to miss two is an insult to the importance of farming to Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire.”

RENEWABLES DRIVE CAUSES LABOUR RURAL GRIEF

This week, the issue of renewable energy infrastructure being built on farmland came to a head.

Farmers across the Tywi and Teifi Valleys have complained about what they perceive as high-handed treatment by energy companies. They say employees of an energy company have entered their land without notice or consent, including farms subject to bTB restrictions. Large areas of the Pembrokeshire coast are set for significant windfarm developments.

The erection of pylons across Wales’s rural heartlands is a direct consequence of the Welsh and UK governments’ drive to meet their renewable energy generation and supply targets. The policy is putting further pressure on Labour’s vote share across Mid and West Wales. Labour in Wales’s stated position is to prefer underground cabling for new energy infrastructure projects where feasible.

Labour also says that while it supports undergrounding, the cost comparison with traditional pylons must be considered, and that energy companies should not be compelled to build all infrastructure underground on cost grounds. This policy position has not addressed the concerns of many farmers or some environmental and countryside campaigners, who are seeking a firmer commitment.

In a BBC explainer regarding the issue released earlier this week, the only vox pop in favour of pylons and turbines being placed in rural Wales came from a voter in Cardiff.

At the time of writing, a case is ongoing in the High Court in Cardiff. It aims to prevent energy company employees from entering farm properties without permission to conduct surveys for planned infrastructure. The energy companies claim they have the legal right to do so. However, in Westminster this week, the Energy Minister Michael Shanks confirmed that holding an Independent Distribution Network Operator licence does not automatically grant access to private land.