Wrexham

Wrexham lies in the north east of Wales, on the border with England. This was once a coal-mining and steel-making area, but the last steel plant was closed in May 1990. This economy is now dependent on inward investment projects. BICC, JCB Transmissions and British Tissues all have plants here. Although there is a large concentration of manufacturing industry in and around the town of Wrexham, most of the region is rural in character. The economy in these areas is based on agriculture and pastoral farming. Levels of Welsh speaking are more or less in line with the national average, 18.2% for the old county council of Clwyd, under which the area fell until the establishment of unitary authorities in 1996.

This area is a Labour stronghold, they have held the parliamentary constituency of Wrexham since 1935. They also control the local council, 33 of the 51 councillors are from the Labour Party. The next largest group is the Radical Party with 8 councillors.

Results of 1979 referendum:

		Yes		No		Turnout
All Wales		20%		80%		58.3%
Clwyd		21%		79%		51.1%

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

		Agree		Disagree		Don't know
All Wales		43%		29%		28%
North Wales		42%		33%		29%