Brexit deal is a step in the right direction but much more needs to be done

Brexit deal is a step in the right direction but much more needs to be done

The Welsh Liberal Democrats welcome the progress made by the UK Government and EU on the Irish border, EU citizen’s rights and divorce bill. However, crucial talks over the UK’s relationship with the EU must still take place and time is running out.

The agreement avoids a hard border with Ireland that would have threatened the Good Friday Agreement, reduces the risk of a no deal Brexit, protects the rights of EU citizens in the UK, settles the UK’s bill with the EU and paves the way for talks to progress to the UK’s future relationship with the EU.

However, there is uncertainty surrounding the deal’s implications for the ports of Pembroke Dock, Fishguard and Holyhead. It’s essential that a soft Irish border doesn’t lead to hard borders between Wales and either Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland. Any border deal that leads to delays at Welsh ports will have devastating consequences for the Welsh economy and must be avoided.

Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds commented:

“Whilst this Brexit deal is welcome progress that makes a disastrous no deal Brexit less likely, there is no room for complacency. The 2^nd stage of negotiations must be more productive, ambitious and less chaotic than the 1^st stage that should have finished months ago. Instead we’re left with limited time to agree the entirety of the UK’s relationship with the EU after Brexit without the benefit of any impact papers.”

“It is vital that the UK government now pursues as close a relationship as possible with the EU after Brexit. Full alignment with elements of the single market and customs union is a step in the right direction but not enough. The Government must pursue full and continued membership of the Single Market and Customs Union to minimise the damage to the Welsh economy.”

“Whatever Brexit deal Theresa May gets after the 2^nd stage of negotiations, it will be a worse deal for Wales and for Britain than our current relationship. The British people must be given a vote on the final Brexit deal and the opportunity to choose an exit from Brexit.”