Pembrokeshire Liberal Democrats

1st January 2019 saw the creation of the Pembrokeshire Liberal Democrats as the former Carmarthenshire & Pembrokeshire Liberal Democrats was dissolved and 2 new Local Parties created in the 2 counties due to the growth of membership and activity levels.

The New Year got off to a promising start as members gathered at midday, at the entrance to Fishguard Ferry Port on Saturday 12th January.

Pembrokeshire Liberal Democrats Chair, Andrew Lye led local members as part of a Wales wide protest to Brexit, as the Government’s “meaningful” vote takes place on Tuesday 15th January, in the House of Commons.

Andrew Lye said “It was back in September 2017 that we proposed a motion from our Local Party at the Welsh Liberal Democrats Autumn Conference in Llanelli about the ferry links with Ireland. It was passed unanimously. We were greatly concerned then as we have 2 of the 3 ferry ports in Wales, that have links with the Irish Republic. As the Brexit talks have progressed, we are even more concerned now in 2019 as we know that Ireland is preparing for Brexit and have ferry routes lined up that will by pass the UK altogether and make straight for Europe. This then begs the question, are one of the ferry port’s future as risk, or both, if there’s going to be less traffic coming to and from the Pembrokeshire ferry ports? The future certainly looks bleak.”

Andrew Lye continued, “Pembrokeshire Liberal Democrats maintain that our ports in Fishguard and Pembrokeshire rely upon frictionless trade with the EU. To impose border checks and tariffs would massively damage our ports and put many jobs at risk. We cannot allow that to happen. That’s why we support the Welsh Liberal Democrats call for an Exit From Brexit, to protect these jobs. We are also concerned that it one or both ports were to close, Pembrokeshire would become even more isolated within Wales and the UK. It already attracts funding from the EU because it is one of the poorest regions and we cannot see the UK or Welsh Governments coming up with the funding to replace the money that will be lost.”

Andrew Lye said “The Hard Brexit approach of the Conservative Government of taking the UK out of the single market and customs union threatens to create a hard border and to damage these ferry links which will be detrimental to the Welsh economy and future investment in Wales. And the problems for the Prime Minister and her Conservative Cabinet has been from day one, the border between the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland. But we must not forget that we have 2 “borders” with the Irish Republic at Fishguard and Pembroke and any delays at the border could see traffic building up on the roads to the ports. That is surely bound to have knock on effects for local residents, trying to get around the local roads. There has been much speculation on the effect of traffic building up in Dover and the surrounding area, but we have heard nothing about what could happen here in Pembrokeshire”.

Andrew Lye ended by saying “I am proud we led the way back in 2017 with our motion in 2017 and our Exit From Brexit protest yesterday is a reminder that we all face difficult days ahead and if Mrs May’s deal is lost, we support the call for a People’s Vote, with Remain on the ballot. Or Parliament could rescind Article 50 altogether, if it was brave enough. leaving the EU without a no deal will be the equivalent to us falling off a cliff. Mrs May’s deal will be bad enough. The Welsh Liberal Democrats remain steadfastly in support of the UK remaining in the EU and as our Welsh Party Leader Jane Dodds has said, to reform it from within. We accept it needs reform. But you cannot reform the EU from the outside. I was proud our members came out to support the call, on Saturday, as the farce we are all seeing is an embarrassment and has unleashed behaviour that is unacceptable to us all. The PM, Government and Parliament have failed the people and it will need a People’s Vote to sort out the mess we have endured for over 30 months.”

Ferry Links with Ireland

Submitted by Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire Liberal Democrats

Conference notes:

• The Welsh ferry links with Ireland through Pembroke Dock, Fishguard and Holyhead are important routes from the whole of Great Britain into Ireland which have led to investment in the road infrastructure in Wales and play an important role in the Welsh economy through promoting tourism and trade. 
• According to the UK Chamber of Shipping, 2.5 million passengers and 530,000 lorries and trailers went through the 3 ferry ports in 2016. “The greatest risk for Welsh ports arising from the UK’s departure from the EU is the imposition of border controls at ferry terminals.” (UK Chamber of Shipping on 20 January 2017 in submission to External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee of Welsh Assembly)
• The Hard Brexit approach of the Conservative Government of taking the UK out of the single market and customs union threatens to create a hard border and to damage these ferry links which will be detrimental to the Welsh economy and future investment in Wales.

Conference believes:

• that Wales and the UK should remain a part of the Single Market
• that there are significant benefits to the Welsh and UK economy arising from the free movement of people and goods.

Conference resolves:

• that the Welsh Liberal Democrats should campaign to ensure that the free passage of goods and people through Pembroke Dock, Fishguard and Holyhead are not compromised through the Brexit negotiations.