Powys

Powys is both the largest unitary authority in Wales and the most sparsely populated. This is a rural area, it includes a large part of the Brecon Beacons National Park in the south of the region, and more fertile agricultural land further north. Welshpool and Newton, which used to be a centre for the textile trade, are the largest towns. The only industrial area in the region is around Ystradygnlais in the upper Swansea Valley. This is a former coal mining area where iron and steel production have been replaced by light industry. The economy of the rest of the region is based on agriculture and the tourists who come to visit the towns of Llandrindrod Wells, Hay on Wye, and Montgomery. Unemployment in Powys is the lowest in Wales - only 4.6 per cent in September 1996. The proximity to the English border may explain why the number of Welsh speakers, 18.2 per cent according to the 1991 census, is low compared to other rural areas of Wales.

The Liberal Democrats currently hold both of the parliamentary seats in the region, although Brecon & Radnorshire has also been held by the Conservatives and by Labour at various times in the last 20 years. The council is dominated by Independents, and many of the wards were not contested at the last local elections. Independents hold 60 of the 83 seats on the council, Labour are the next largest group with 9 councillors, 7 of whom were elected from wards in the Ystradygnlais area.

Results of 1979 referendum:

		Yes		No		Turnout
All Wales		20%		80%		58.3%
Powys		18%		82%		66%

Beaufort Research/Western Mail poll published on 2 July 1997:

		Agree		Disagree		Don't know
All Wales		43%		29%		28%
Mid/West Wales		49%		25%		26%