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Brexit speech by Theresa May divides Welsh parties Brexit speech by Theresa May divides Welsh parties
(about 1 hour later)
Welsh politicians have clashed over Theresa May's announcement that the UK should leave the EU single market.Welsh politicians have clashed over Theresa May's announcement that the UK should leave the EU single market.
In a speech, the prime minister said staying in the single market would mean "not leaving the EU at all".In a speech, the prime minister said staying in the single market would mean "not leaving the EU at all".
Labour's Shadow Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens said Mrs May would "drive our economy off a cliff", while Plaid Cymru MP Jonathan Edwards warned of a "disastrous ... extreme Brexit". First Minister Carwyn Jones said he would still push for "full and unfettered access" to the single market, while Plaid Cymru MP Jonathan Edwards warned of an "extreme Brexit".
But Welsh Tory leader Andrew RT Davies denied it would damage the economy.But Welsh Tory leader Andrew RT Davies denied it would damage the economy.
In a long-awaited speech, Mrs May said Parliament would get a vote on the final deal agreed between the UK and the European Union.In a long-awaited speech, Mrs May said Parliament would get a vote on the final deal agreed between the UK and the European Union.
She promised an end to "vast contributions" to the EU, and said the devolved administrations would be "fully engaged" in the process of negotiating Brexit.She promised an end to "vast contributions" to the EU, and said the devolved administrations would be "fully engaged" in the process of negotiating Brexit.
"I should equally be clear that no decisions currently taken by the devolved administrations will be removed from them," the prime minister added. "I should equally be clear that no decisions currently taken by the devolved administrations will be removed from them," Mrs May.
Mrs May spoke to Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones and his Scottish counterpart Nicola Sturgeon before giving her speech.
Brexit speech: Key pointsBrexit speech: Key points
Speaking just before the prime minister's speech, Mr Davies denied that what he called a "clean Brexit" would be damaging to the Welsh economy. First Minister Carwyn Jones told AMs that the prime minister spoke to him on the phone before her speech.
"I don't believe the Welsh public accept that, as a majority showed on June 23," he said, referring to the EU referendum in 2016. "Some of it was welcome ... the tone was better", he said during First Minister's Questions.
But as well as giving the Houses of Parliament a vote on the final Brexit deal, Mr Jones said the Senedd would need one too, as many of the terms would cover policy areas devolved to Wales.
He added: "There will be nothing to stop this Assembly from implementing European directives if it wishes to. There is no ban on doing that."
Mr Jones said he would continue to make the case to have "full and unfettered access" to the EU single market, despite Mrs May's insistence that the UK would leave.
"What we have to avoid in the next few months and years is anything that impairs the ability of businesses to export from Wales, and therefore makes it more difficult for them to employ people," he said.
Labour's Shadow Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens added: "With the PM set on a damaging hard Brexit, I'm fearful Wales will be left behind and made to suffer the terrible consequences of this incompetent Tory government."
Speaking for the Welsh Conservatives just before the prime minister's speech, Mr Davies denied that what he called a "clean Brexit" would be damaging to the Welsh economy.
"I don't believe the Welsh public accept that, as a majority showed on June 23," he said, referring to the EU referendum.
"They didn't vote to reform the EU. They voted to leave the EU.""They didn't vote to reform the EU. They voted to leave the EU."
He added: "Let's get real. We are leaving the European Union. We the Conservatives will deliver that break with the European Union.He added: "Let's get real. We are leaving the European Union. We the Conservatives will deliver that break with the European Union.
"It is for the continent of Europe and the other 27 member states to determine whether they want to be part of a trading agreement with the fifth largest economy in the world, where five million European jobs depend on trade with Britain and they have a balance of payments in their favour ... or they continue on their path of economic decline.""It is for the continent of Europe and the other 27 member states to determine whether they want to be part of a trading agreement with the fifth largest economy in the world, where five million European jobs depend on trade with Britain and they have a balance of payments in their favour ... or they continue on their path of economic decline."
For Labour, Ms Stevens said: "Theresa May's plan for an ideological hard Brexit will decimate Welsh farming, ruin our aerospace, steel and automotive sectors and do lasting damage to jobs and the economy in Wales." Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns said Brexit gave the UK the opportunity to become "global leaders in free trade".
The Cardiff Central MP added: "68% of Welsh exports go to Europe and what is being outlined today is the Prime Minister getting ready to drive our economy off a cliff. "There are new opportunities out there, the UK economy is exceptionally strong and both Wales and Welsh businesses are set to benefit from that", he said.
"Access to the single market is a red line for businesses and people across Wales even amongst those who voted to leave.
"Labour believe we must get the best deal possible that works in the national interest, not ruin our economy for the sake of ideology.
"The Welsh Secretary is clearly invisible at the Cabinet table and, with the PM set on a damaging hard Brexit, I'm fearful Wales will be left behind and made to suffer the terrible consequences of this incompetent Tory government."
Mr Edwards, Plaid Cymru spokesman on leaving the EU, said: "The Prime Minister has put the British State on track for an 'extreme Brexit', isolating Wales and the other UK countries from the rest of the world.Mr Edwards, Plaid Cymru spokesman on leaving the EU, said: "The Prime Minister has put the British State on track for an 'extreme Brexit', isolating Wales and the other UK countries from the rest of the world.
"The Prime Minister has put appeasing her deluded right-wing politicians before protecting the economy and surely the Labour Party must now join Plaid Cymru in voting against triggering Article 50."The Prime Minister has put appeasing her deluded right-wing politicians before protecting the economy and surely the Labour Party must now join Plaid Cymru in voting against triggering Article 50.
"The people voted to leave the EU, not the Single Market or the Customs Union. "The people voted to leave the EU, not the single market or the customs union.
"Nobody voted to make themselves redundant or give themselves a pay cut. For Wales - a country whose economy is heavily dependent on its exports - isolating ourselves from the Single Market will be disastrous." "Nobody voted to make themselves redundant or give themselves a pay cut. For Wales - a country whose economy is heavily dependent on its exports - isolating ourselves from the single market will be disastrous."
He added that "The serious and disproportionate impact this will have on Wales' economy and devolved functions means that Wales' Parliament must also be asked to endorse the terms of the agreement before it goes ahead, not just Westminster."He added that "The serious and disproportionate impact this will have on Wales' economy and devolved functions means that Wales' Parliament must also be asked to endorse the terms of the agreement before it goes ahead, not just Westminster."
UKIP's MEP for Wales Nathan Gill welcomed the speech, saying: "Remaining a member of the single market was never an option as it amounted to no Brexit at all.UKIP's MEP for Wales Nathan Gill welcomed the speech, saying: "Remaining a member of the single market was never an option as it amounted to no Brexit at all.
"Too many of the 'elite' in media and politics are trying to re-live the referendum, rather than respecting the will of the people and moving forward."Too many of the 'elite' in media and politics are trying to re-live the referendum, rather than respecting the will of the people and moving forward.
"It's clear to me that the best deal for both Wales and the UK would be a free trade deal between the UK and EU, allowing British companies the freedom to trade with and operate in the single market, and let European businesses do the same here."It's clear to me that the best deal for both Wales and the UK would be a free trade deal between the UK and EU, allowing British companies the freedom to trade with and operate in the single market, and let European businesses do the same here.
"It would also bring back control over immigration and end the supremacy of European courts.""It would also bring back control over immigration and end the supremacy of European courts."