The Prime Minister has made it clear that the current devolved settlement must be respected as funding, schemes and initiatives are returned from the European Union – and that there will be no ‘land grab’ on competencies.
As she has also stated, this “means strengthening the devolution settlements. But never allowing our Union to become looser and weaker, or our people to drift apart.”
This Plaid Cymru motion notes the result of last year’s referendum – a referendum in which the people of Wales, voted to restore UK control over borders, laws and money.
I therefore move amendment 1 –
Noting the Prime Minister's commitment to securing the best Brexit deal for Wales and the United Kingdom.
Welcoming the UK Conservative Government's guarantee that there will be no roll-back of powers from the devolved administrations, and that decision-making powers in Wales will be increased.
Recognising the importance of Wales and the United Kingdom embracing the trade and economic opportunities presented by leaving the European Union.
And supporting the UK Government's plan to introduce a United Kingdom shared prosperity fund.
In terms of tax devolution, we must be note that only 13% of tax payers in Wales fall into the higher and top tax rates, compared to 30% across the border.
Plaid Cymru exists to divide the British people and destroy our UK.
We must instead embrace the opportunity for our United Kingdom to become an outward looking Global Trading Nation.
As the Prime Minister has said “I want us to be a truly Global Britain – the best friend and neighbour to our European partners, but reaching beyond the borders of Europe too, building relationships with old friends and new allies alike”.
Although the Labour/Plaid Cymru White Paper calls for “full and unfettered” access to the EU Single Market, EU rules make this impossible after border control is restored to the UK.
The Prime Minister has been very clear that she wants a bespoke deal that works for the whole of the UK, embracing the most tariff and barrier-free trade possible with our European neighbours through a new, comprehensive, bold and ambitious Free Trade Agreement.
As the Farming Unions have stated, they will need an Agricultural Framework that prevents unfair competition between devolved administrations, protects funding – and is “ambitious in reviewing EU derived legislation which adds unnecessarily to the bureaucratic burden faced by farmers”.
The UK Government Great Repeal Bill White Paper states: the “UK Government will begin intensive discussions with the devolved administrations to identify where common frameworks need to be retained”.
Welsh Conservatives support both the UK Government’s plan to introduce a United Kingdom shared prosperity fund, and the agreement of UK wide frameworks underpinning issues such as agriculture, environment and fisheries – and future –proofing funding.
We welcome reports from the manufacturer’s organisation EEF that companies are increasingly positive, that demand from Europe is buoyant and that it has raised its 2017and 2018 growth forecasts – and from the PMI that the UK construction sector expanded at its fastest rate in 17 months in May.
We also note that 90% of forecast world growth over the next decade is outside the EU.
The Prime Minister said yesterday “as we deliver on the will of the British people, we will forge a new deep and special partnership with Europe - but we will also reach out beyond Europe to strike new trade deals with old allies and new friends around the world too”.
“We have taken the time to develop the plan, to study the detail, to understand the negotiating positions and priorities of those on the other side of the table, to build the relationships and to be absolutely clear in our own minds – and in those of the 27 remaining member states – about the kind of future relationship we seek”.
“Now compare that to the alternative.
“Jeremy Corbyn says he wants tariff-free access to the EU, but cannot say if he wants to remain a member the single market –subject to the rulings of the European Court and to European free movement rules.
“He cannot say if it means remaining a full member of the customs union – which would deprive us of our ability to strike new trade agreements around the world.”
“These are the most basic questions that need to be answered”.
As for what Jeremy Corbyn would do to the UK, look at the only part of the UK governed by Labour, Wales, with the lowest employment, wages and prosperity – and the highest unemployment, poverty and child poverty - in Britain.