Welsh Conservative Spokesperson for Europe, Mark Isherwood AM, has emphasised the UK Government’s commitment to building a powerful new relationship with the EU that works for the United Kingdom and Wales.
Contributing to a Debate on the External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee Report on the implications for Wales of leaving the European Union, Mr Isherwood stated that “Although the Labour/Plaid Cymru White Paper identifies the risk of a “power grab” from the UK Government, the UK Government White Paper states “We have already committed that no decisions currently taken by the devolved administrations will be removed from them and we will use the opportunity of bringing decision making back to the UK to ensure that more decisions are devolved”.
Mr Isherwood’s views were put forward by his colleague Suzy Davies AM in the Senedd yesterday.
Mr Isherwood has said:
“Professor Roger Scully told Committee “for many people who voted ‘Leave’ in Wales, their priority was to prevent free movement of people”, adding this was “something politicians must be aware of”.
“Although the Labour/Plaid Cymru White Paper calls for “full and unfettered” access to the EU Single Market - and although EU rules make this impossible after border control is restored to the UK - this is not inconsistent with the UK Government’s desire for a free trade deal without membership.”
“The referendum vote last June was a vote to restore national self-determination, while becoming even more global and outward looking.
“Although it was a vote to leave the EU, it was not a vote to leave Europe – we all want to continue to be reliable partners, willing allies and close friends with European countries.
“In that spirit, the UK Government is not seeking partial membership of the EU, associate membership, or a model adopted by other countries that leaves us half-in, half-out.
“They seek a new and equal partnership between a self-governing, Global UK and our friends and allies in the EU.
“As stated in the Welsh Government response to our Report, the UK Government has guaranteed to underwrite all European Structural and Investment Fund projects approved or due to be approved during the ordinary course of business before the UK exits the EU.
“This guarantee also covers the CAP, the European Territorial Cooperation programmes - including the Ireland Wales programme and funding awards under the EU’s directly managed programmes - including Horizon 2020.”
He added: “The Prime Minister has stated that, as powers are repatriated from Brussels, careful working will be needed to ensure that the right powers are returned to Westminster, and the right powers are passed to the devolved administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
“The Committee received legal advice that competencies and powers in respect of devolved matters currently held at EU level will pass to the devolved administrations on exit.
“As our report therefore states ‘there are several areas of policy that might benefit from an agreed UK-wide approach or framework’.”
ENDS