I naturally replied by asking "How many businesses in Wales are against more powers?".
Obviously without a detailed survey, that may be a difficult question to answer but it is worth noting what the FSB, which has 10,000 members in wales, said last year on the matter after a survey of their members, namely:
“Generally the FSB supports the transfer of power from Westminster to Cardiff Bay where it can be demonstrated that the powers would be used to benefit Welsh business. We would stress the importance of ensuring that the decisions made by the National Assembly for Wales should not put business in Wales at a disadvantage to counterparts in the rest of the UK."
Personally speaking, I feel that the Yes for Wales campaign has been weak in terms of explaining what further powers would do for the business sector in Wales. Certainly, it would seem its leading lights have largely ignored my article on the subject!! In addition, there has been some critique on the blogosphere regarding Peter Hain's hyperbole regarding further powers on the Welsh economy.
Yet, as I explained on Saturday, Wales may soon be able to create its own laws directly, laws that can, if properly enacted, create a real competitive advantage for Welsh business.
So, here is a challenge for anyone in business in Wales?
Let the Yes for Wales campaign know whether there is any current law that is negatively affecting your business or, better still, which could make your business more competitive, and how you would like that law changed for the better through the National Assembly for Wales.
That would demonstrate the real and tangible benefit of further powers for Wales and the Welsh economy.
6 comments:
Certainly, it would seem its leading lights have largely ignored my article on the subject!!
Of course they have - you're Tory, the majority of Yes Wales are Labour and Plaid.
Simples!
Its worth noting that the FSB have also said that the majority of their members support more powers for the Assembly.
In my experience small businesses usually cite factors such as macroeconomic stability, tax, and health & safety, employment and environmental regulation as the main government-related barriers to growth (e.g. in the BIS/DTI annual survey of small business in the UK). WAG would have little influence in these areas even after a yes vote. But that's not a reason to vote no......
There is one critical caveat in your blog Dylan: "...if properly enacted..."
I assume you’re a 'glass half-full' kinda guy?
"I assume you’re a 'glass half-full' kinda guy?"
Always!
Interesting one Dylan. Is the variable speed limit on the M4 between Newport and Cardiff helping or hindering business? I know its not helping mine... and then the much lauded pro-act re-act scheme springs to mind. One of my contacts is accredited to run some of the training - he tells me that he gets paid six months after the training has been completed which is a long time if you've been giving 6 months training!
I think the WAG demonstrates parochialism of the highest order - whether it be the "over egging" of the use of Welsh in all it does, or the insistence of "clear red water" regardless of commonsense. My Grandparents are quite wealthy, but get free prescriptions and God knows what else..why? Priorities could be so much more focussed if they just realised its a bigger world beyond Cardiff, Wrexham and Monmouth...
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