The Leader of the Welsh Conservatives – Andrew RT Davies – has called for firm and immediate guarantees from the UK Government that Wales will not be worse off after Brexit.
In an article written for Brexit Central, Mr Davies also calls for an urgent review of the Joint Ministerial Council – which he claims is rooted in the “1950s”.
Mr Davies says the devolved nations need a “bigger stake in the process”, with the likelihood that Brexit will lead to UK-wide frameworks for farming, regeneration and research.
He draws parallels with the Vote Leave campaign, which spoke for the “millions of people in this country who felt ignored” by a distant EU elite. A stronger voice for the devolved nations would prevent that in the post-Brexit era.
Mr Davies said:
“There is a need to send a strong message to each of the devolved administrations that the UK Government retains a steely determination to get a good deal, not just for the UK as a whole – but for each of its constituent parts.
“They should start right away. The Chancellor has already guaranteed EU funding until 2021.
“I want to hear firm guarantees that Wales will not lose a single pound as a result of Brexit.”
On the future of the under-fire JMC, he said:
“I am also calling on the UK Government to announce an urgent review of the Joint Ministerial Council.
“This is not the 1950s: we need to establish better ways to engage as a United Kingdom, the need for which will soon become clear once additional powers are returned to the UK from Brussels.
“At the heart of the Leave campaign was a sense that we were speaking for the millions of people in this country who felt ignored by a distant and unelected elite.
“With the likely prospect of new UK-wide frameworks for farming, regeneration and research, it is vital that we have the structures in place to ensure that people in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland have a bigger stake in the process.
“That means a better voice for the devolved nations.”
Help keep news FREE for our readers
Supporting your local community newspaper/online news outlet is crucial now more than ever. If you believe in independent journalism, then consider making a valuable contribution by making a one-time or monthly donation. We operate in rural areas where providing unbiased news can be challenging. Read More About Supporting The West Wales Chronicle
