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Brexit: Welsh Government told not to undermine talks Brexit: Welsh Government told not to undermine talks
(35 minutes later)
Leaders of the UK's devolved governments must not "undermine" Brexit negotiations, Downing Street has said.Leaders of the UK's devolved governments must not "undermine" Brexit negotiations, Downing Street has said.
Theresa May has offered the Welsh Government a formal seat in talks to shape the UK's EU exit strategy.Theresa May has offered the Welsh Government a formal seat in talks to shape the UK's EU exit strategy.
The joint ministerial council (JMC), which includes First Minister Carwyn Jones and the prime minister, met for the first time since 2014 on Monday.The joint ministerial council (JMC), which includes First Minister Carwyn Jones and the prime minister, met for the first time since 2014 on Monday.
Mr Jones has said Wales must play a positive and active part in EU talks. Mr Jones said he argued for "full and unfettered access to the single market" at the meeting.
Prime Minister Theresa May said it was "imperative" Wales helped make it work. Prime Minister Theresa May said it was "imperative" Wales helped make Brexit discussions work.
But Mrs May's official spokeswoman, when asked about calls for different parts of the UK to opt-in or out of the single market, said: "We need to make sure we are not putting up barriers to trade within the UK."But Mrs May's official spokeswoman, when asked about calls for different parts of the UK to opt-in or out of the single market, said: "We need to make sure we are not putting up barriers to trade within the UK."
She added: "We have been very clear that we should be working together to secure the best possible deal for the whole country.She added: "We have been very clear that we should be working together to secure the best possible deal for the whole country.
"We expect representatives of the devolved administrations to act in that way and to in no way undermine the UK's position.""We expect representatives of the devolved administrations to act in that way and to in no way undermine the UK's position."
Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns also attended the meeting at Downing Street, alongside Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and the First Minister and Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, Arlene Foster and Martin McGuinness.Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns also attended the meeting at Downing Street, alongside Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and the First Minister and Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, Arlene Foster and Martin McGuinness.
The prime minister is expected to offer the leaders a "direct line" to Brexit Secretary David Davis during the discussions. The prime minister offered the leaders a "direct line" to Brexit Secretary David Davis during the discussions.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, Mrs May said it was "imperative" that Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales played their part in making the negotiations work. Speaking after the meeting, Mr Jones said: "There is still huge uncertainty about what success will look like from the UK government.
"That makes it difficult for the devolved administrations to positively influence the process, but we are still committed to working for the best deal for Wales."
He said the starting point for Brexit negotiations must be "full and unfettered access to the single market".
He welcomed agreement by the UK government for the JMC to meet more frequently.
Ahead of the meeting, Mrs May said it was "imperative" that Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales played their part in making the negotiations work.
She said: "The new forum I am offering will be the chance for them all to put forward their proposals on how to seize the opportunities presented by Brexit and deliver the democratic decision expressed by the people of the UK."She said: "The new forum I am offering will be the chance for them all to put forward their proposals on how to seize the opportunities presented by Brexit and deliver the democratic decision expressed by the people of the UK."
If the devolved governments accept the offer for formal talks, a new sub-committee of the JMC will be established, chaired by David Davis and attended by nominees put forward by devolved governments.If the devolved governments accept the offer for formal talks, a new sub-committee of the JMC will be established, chaired by David Davis and attended by nominees put forward by devolved governments.
The first meeting would be at the end of November with at least one more by Christmas ahead of the triggering of Article 50 at the end of March.The first meeting would be at the end of November with at least one more by Christmas ahead of the triggering of Article 50 at the end of March.
'Grown up''Grown up'
On Saturday, the prime minister said she wanted the meeting to be the "start of a new grown-up relationship between the devolved administrations and the UK government".On Saturday, the prime minister said she wanted the meeting to be the "start of a new grown-up relationship between the devolved administrations and the UK government".
She also announced a series of changes for the JMC, saying she hoped to strengthen ways of working between the administrations with more regular meetings, among other measures.She also announced a series of changes for the JMC, saying she hoped to strengthen ways of working between the administrations with more regular meetings, among other measures.
Mr Cairns said Mrs May had set a "clear framework" for Wales to be at the centre of any Brexit negotiations.Mr Cairns said Mrs May had set a "clear framework" for Wales to be at the centre of any Brexit negotiations.
But Mr Jones warned there needed to be a clear agreement between the different administrations before the UK pushed ahead with a deal to leave the European Union.But Mr Jones warned there needed to be a clear agreement between the different administrations before the UK pushed ahead with a deal to leave the European Union.
'Bystander to Brexit''Bystander to Brexit'
"We want to play a full, positive and active part in responding to Brexit and we hope that approach is reciprocated," he said."We want to play a full, positive and active part in responding to Brexit and we hope that approach is reciprocated," he said.
"If the UK government cannot negotiate an agreed position with the devolved administrations then it has little hope of negotiating a good Brexit deal with 27 EU countries.""If the UK government cannot negotiate an agreed position with the devolved administrations then it has little hope of negotiating a good Brexit deal with 27 EU countries."
He told BBC Wales Sunday Politics programme any introduction of trade tariffs on goods produced in Wales would be a red line to any deal.He told BBC Wales Sunday Politics programme any introduction of trade tariffs on goods produced in Wales would be a red line to any deal.
Meanwhile, Plaid Cymru urged the first minister to prioritise protecting Wales' membership of the single market during the meeting of the JMC.Meanwhile, Plaid Cymru urged the first minister to prioritise protecting Wales' membership of the single market during the meeting of the JMC.
Shadow secretary for external affairs Steffan Lewis said: "Unless the first minister shows strong leadership and outline decisive demands - factors which have been absent from his response to the referendum result so far - there is a danger that Wales will become a bystander to Brexit".Shadow secretary for external affairs Steffan Lewis said: "Unless the first minister shows strong leadership and outline decisive demands - factors which have been absent from his response to the referendum result so far - there is a danger that Wales will become a bystander to Brexit".