Whether people voted Leave or Remain, they now want to see a Brexit deal that works for a global UK.
The UK Government is therefore committed to delivering control of our money, borders and laws, while building a new, deep and special economic and security relationship with the EU.
Plaid Cymru’s motion today shows that they are instead continuing to try and frustrate the Brexit process.
The same could be said of the First Minister’s narrow and continuously recycled suite of arguments.
The ambiguity of the UK Labour position outlined by Jeremy Corbyn this week adds further to the confusion.
So let us be clear: remaining in the Customs Union would limit the UK’s ability to reach new trade agreements with fast-growing economies and to develop new ways for poorer nations to trade their way out of poverty.
Our amendment therefore proposes that this Assembly “supports Wales and the United Kingdom’s agreement of a new customs arrangement between the UK and the EU, with customs requirements that are as frictionless as possible; building a new, economic and security relationship with the EU whilst enabling the UK to enter new trade agreements internationally.
Yes, we must support access to the EU Single Market, but to remain in the Single Market and Customs Union – would mean that we have effectively not left the EU at all.
With groundhog day regularity, Carwyn Jones has scare mongered over the borders between Northern Ireland and the Republic, and the UK and the Island of Ireland.
In reality, the Prime Minister confirmed last December that the Common Travel Area with Ireland which has been in operation since the 1920s would be maintained – and that both the UK and EU have pledged that there will be no hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland.
She has also warned Brussels today against its demands that she signs up to legal commitments preventing a hard border in Ireland even if that means customs checks between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.
The Chief Executive of HMRC has consistently advised ministers that there will be no need for physical infrastructure at the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic– “under any circumstances”.
And last November’s report, “Avoiding a hard border on the island of Ireland for Customs control and the free movement of persons”, written by leading customs experts Lars Karlsson for the European Parliament’s Committee on Constitutional Affairs, identified measures introduced to create low-friction borders across the world and proposed a technical solution for the border on the island of Ireland and the future of movement of persons and goods between the EU and the UK.
After Jeremy Corbyn backed UK Membership of “a” Customs Union pro-Brexit Labour MPs described this as a betrayal of voters and Frank Field MP accused the leadership of treating voters as “thick” – and yet pro remain party figures said that Mr Corbyn had not gone far enough.
By supporting a Customs Union, Mr Corbyn appears to be ripping up UK Labour’s Manifesto and threatening to prevent the UK from signing economy-boosting, job-creating free trade deals from around the world.
However, in not committing Labour to membership of “the” EU Customs Union, Mr Corbyn’s statement is actually ambiguous enough to mean anything, where the EU has consistently stated that you are either ‘in’ the Customs Union and bound by its rules, or outside it.
The First Minister frequently scaremongers that UK exit from the Single Market and Customs Union would generate a regulatory race to the bottom.
However, the UK Brexit Secretary clearly stated last week that the UK will not seek to lower legal and regulatory standards in order to compete with the European Market - and proposed a system of mutual recognition.
Last month, former UK International Trade Minister Lord Price told the Commons that Britain has already agreed Free-Trade deals in principle with dozens of non-EU countries, ready to take effect the day after Brexit.
Economic reality mocks the Brexit gloom in this place.
UK production output increased 2.1% in 2017, with manufacturing providing the largest upward contribution.
CBI reports show that Britain’s record on job creation is set to continue in 2018 and that volumes, profits, and hiring are on the up in Britain’s services sector.
AND Builders Merchants’ sales have completed another year of growth.
Instead of trading on scare stories, we must take back control of the narrative and offer the public hope.
The UK voted for legal and constitutional independence from the European Union.
It’s our duty to deliver it.