National parks

The first National Parks were created by the Labour Government in 1949 when Parliament passed the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act in order to establish a constructive approach to issues of access and conservation. The Act established the National Parks Commission which oversaw the designation of 10 national parks and the setting up of nature reserves. County councils were given the task of surveying their areas and recording and mapping rights of public access. If necessary, county authorities were also to secure public access to areas of open country within their boundaries.

In the run up to the 2019 General Election the Labour Party proposed the idea of creating a Malvern Hills National Park as part of a national ‘Plan for Nature’ policy.

At the launch of Labour’s 'Plan for Nature' the leader of the Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, said: "This election is our last chance to tackle the climate and environment emergency. Labour is on your side and on the side of the environment. We’ll expand and restore our habitats and plant trees so that we can create natural solutions to bring down emissions and allow our wildlife to flourish. Labour created the first national parks, and we'll create ten more, giving people the access to the green spaces so vital for our collective wellbeing and mental health.”