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Article 50: PM says 'significant' increase to Welsh powers Article 50: PM says 'significant' increase to Welsh powers
(about 1 hour later)
Wales can expect a "significant increase" in devolved powers following Brexit, Prime Minister Theresa May has said. Wales can expect a "significant increase" in devolved powers following Brexit, the prime minister has said.
The UK government has officially started the process of leaving the European Union.The UK government has officially started the process of leaving the European Union.
In the letter to trigger Article 50 Mrs May said her government would consult on which powers should be devolved. In the letter to trigger Article 50 Theresa May said she would consult on which powers should be devolved.
Brexit negotiations will take "due account of the specific interests of every nation", she added. First Minister Carwyn Jones said it was "deeply regrettable" the Welsh Government was not allowed to contribute to the letter.
In the letter delivered to European Council president Donald Tusk, Mrs May said: "From the start and throughout the discussions, we will negotiate as one United Kingdom, taking due account of the specific interests of every nation and region of the UK as we do so. In the letter to European Council president Donald Tusk, Mrs May said: "From the start and throughout the discussions, we will negotiate as one United Kingdom, taking due account of the specific interests of every nation and region of the UK as we do so.
"When it comes to the return of powers back to the United Kingdom, we will consult fully on which powers should reside in Westminster and which should be devolved to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland."When it comes to the return of powers back to the United Kingdom, we will consult fully on which powers should reside in Westminster and which should be devolved to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
"But it is the expectation of the Government that the outcome of this process will be a significant increase in the decision-making power of each devolved administration.""But it is the expectation of the Government that the outcome of this process will be a significant increase in the decision-making power of each devolved administration."
Earlier on Wednesday Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies said First Minister Carwyn Jones had no evidence to support his claim that farming subsidies could disappear after the UK leaves the European Union. In a statement responding to the triggering of Article 50, Mr Jones told the Senedd that if Mrs May's comments on devolving powers "prove to be the case" he will welcome it.
Mr Jones told the Senedd on Tuesday he was "not optimistic" the UK government would replace funding lost after Brexit. "If not, this government will oppose vigorously as, I have no doubt, will others in this chamber," he said.
But Mr Davies, who backed the campaign to leave the EU, told BBC Radio Wales he was "very confident" the UK government would support the interests of Welsh farmers. But he told AMs that although he had "discussed the letter in general terms with the Prime Minister when we met in Swansea last week", ministers did not see the letter before Wednesday, nor were invited to contribute to its drafting.
He accused the first minister of "scaremongering", adding: "He's fast turning into the angry man in the grandstand shouting at the team on the field playing the game." "This is unacceptable and is the culmination of a deeply frustrating process in which the devolved administrations have been persistently treated with a lack of respect," he said.
Mr Davies said UK voters could judge party policies on support for farmers and poorer regions, instead of "unelected bureaucrats putting in place measures that frankly just have not worked". Andrew RT Davies, the Conservative leader in the assembly, rejected claims that Theresa May had not listened to and consulted the Welsh Government.
Mr Jones, who wanted the UK to remain in the EU, said he stood "ready to work constructively with the UK government to secure a deal which protects Welsh businesses, our economy and the future prosperity of Wales". "The prime minister has been to Wales five times," he said, amid heckling in the chamber.
"If, as negotiations progress, we believe our priorities are not being championed or our representation falls below a level we find acceptable, we will not remain silent," he said. Mr Davies - who had campaigned to leave the EU - went on to accuse Mr Jones and his government of not engaging with those on the majority side of the referendum result.
He also welcomed the prime minister's commitment to give greater powers to Wales.
Earlier on Wednesday Mr Davies told BBC Radio Wales the first minister had no evidence to support his claim on Tuesday that farming subsidies could disappear after the UK leaves the European Union.
Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood told the Senedd that Wednesday was a "profound day in the history of Wales".
Highlighting that 67% of exports in Wales last year went to the EU, she said: "While Wales voted narrowly to leave the EU, the UK government's intention is to take us out of the single market as well."
"The UK government's intention to reach a free trade agreement will not put us in the same position as Norway, Iceland or Switzerland".
David Rees, the Labour AM who chairs the assembly's external affairs committee, said: "Irrespective of party, or of where we stood during the referendum, we must now come together in the Welsh interest.David Rees, the Labour AM who chairs the assembly's external affairs committee, said: "Irrespective of party, or of where we stood during the referendum, we must now come together in the Welsh interest.
"We have years of hard work ahead of us and we will need to draw on the expertise and talents of the Welsh people to get a deal that is right for Wales.""We have years of hard work ahead of us and we will need to draw on the expertise and talents of the Welsh people to get a deal that is right for Wales."
Analysis by BBC Wales parliamentary correspondent David CornockAnalysis by BBC Wales parliamentary correspondent David Cornock
The prime minister promised that the Welsh Government would be "fully engaged" in the Brexit process but it has not been difficult to highlight differences between the approach of the UK and Welsh governments.The prime minister promised that the Welsh Government would be "fully engaged" in the Brexit process but it has not been difficult to highlight differences between the approach of the UK and Welsh governments.
Theresa May believes continued membership of the single market "would mean being bound by EU laws. That would mean in practice not leaving the EU".Theresa May believes continued membership of the single market "would mean being bound by EU laws. That would mean in practice not leaving the EU".
The Welsh Government - and Plaid Cymru - believe continued "participation" in the single market is still possible if the freedom of movement rules apply only to those with a job.The Welsh Government - and Plaid Cymru - believe continued "participation" in the single market is still possible if the freedom of movement rules apply only to those with a job.
But it is also easy to exaggerate the differences between the two governments. As recently as January, a spokesman for the first minister said they were not "irreconcilable". Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns has spoken of "common ground" on free trade.But it is also easy to exaggerate the differences between the two governments. As recently as January, a spokesman for the first minister said they were not "irreconcilable". Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns has spoken of "common ground" on free trade.
More from DavidMore from David
Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood said the triggering of Article 50 was a test of Theresa May's commitment to the "so-called partnership of equals".
"It is vital that the UK government's preferred terms of negotiation seek to preserve and protect the economic interests of every nation and region - not just the city square mile," she said.
The membership of UKIP "should be very proud", a spokesman for the party in Wales said.The membership of UKIP "should be very proud", a spokesman for the party in Wales said.
"We will be there every step of the way to ensure Theresa May delivers on the wishes of the majority of the British people," he said."We will be there every step of the way to ensure Theresa May delivers on the wishes of the majority of the British people," he said.
Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Mark Williams said the prime minister was "about to embark on an extreme and divisive Brexit".Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Mark Williams said the prime minister was "about to embark on an extreme and divisive Brexit".
"If the Tories want to show that they are listening to the concerns of Wales, they will keep Wales and the UK in the single market. Otherwise, May's visits to Wales were nothing but show.""If the Tories want to show that they are listening to the concerns of Wales, they will keep Wales and the UK in the single market. Otherwise, May's visits to Wales were nothing but show."