Is Wales moving towards the rest of the UK, or going its own way? Within weeks, we will have a newly elected Assembly Government free to make its own laws. That will create differences.
Hopefully the differences will benefit Wales. As our North Wales debate (p48) and Budget review (p28) highlight, there will be enterprise zones in England. So how about an enterprise zone for the Valleys, say, or for Anglesey, Deeside, or Swansea? We need something of equal value.
In other ways, Wales and England are pulling closer together. The purchase of Spar shop operator Capper by a Midlands company effectively meant the end of one of Wales's biggest private companies by turnover. The Welsh and English economies will always be strongly linked. It's important for Wales to take advantage of those links, even if the countries move apart politically.
One way of taking advantage is through better transport links to move goods and people around. South Wales will benefit from electrification of the rail line from Cardiff to London. That needs to be extended to Swansea, and the Valleys commuter lines need to be brought in as soon as possible. In North Wales, the line from Crewe to Holyhead should be electrified to speed up journeys and take pressure off the A55, which struggles at peak times.
One advantage North Wales has is easy access to the markets and industries of the North West of England. A vibrant economy has grown up, confident enough in its identity to give a strong "yes" vote in the powers referendum, but ever willing to trade across the border. It’s helped by the fact that you don’t have to pay a toll to cross the Dee into England.
That same benefit should be extended to South Wales, by abolishing Severn Bridge tolls when the contract reverts to the UK government in 2017. It may seem a long time away, but such commitment now would encourage potential inward investors from day one.
Douglas Friedli, editor
Also in: May 2011
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Olympic standard
Wales has put on some great events in recent years, and that experience should help it to win more work in the future. Charles Williams reports.
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Steven Madeley
Douglas Friedli finds the manager of Cardiff's St David's Centre in cheerful mood as another high-profile retailer moves in.