Speaking in today’s Opposition Assembly Debate on Brexit, Shadow Secretary for Europe, Mark Isherwood AM, welcomed the Prime Minister's commitment to securing the best Brexit deal for Wales and the United Kingdom and said people thinking of voting for Jeremy Corbyn should look to 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, to see what he would do for the UK.
Mr Isherwood stated that 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.
Speaking in the Chamber, he said: “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.”
He added: “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.
“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.
He added: “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.”