The past decade has been one in which Wales, after acquiring its devolved assembly and government in 1999, has grown in self-confidence. Let the next 10 years be a period when that translates into blossoming prosperity.

Wales has much going for it, even allowing for its legacy of coal mining and heavy industry and the difficult terrain of its beautiful, mountainous countryside. Not least of its assets is the astonishing performance of Cardiff, the capital, which has been transformed in recent years.