Tories and Labour told to get a grip over Brexit splits
DIVISIONS within Labour and the Tories over Brexit were on display yesterday with senior figures warning of what is at stake.
Former Welsh Government minister Leighton Andrews said Labour in Wales should “absolutely” be prepared to split from the UK party if it backs a hard Brexit. Lord Kinnock, the former UK Labour leader, has also backed a soft Brexit, saying the UK should keep “participation in the single market or the customs union, or both” for at least a transitional period.
Meanwhile, Tory International Trade Secretary Liam Fox said he had not been involved in any Cabinet discussions on keeping free movement for up to three years. This was seen as a rejection of Chancellor Philip Hammond’s claim that “many arrangements” would remain “very similar” in the period up to 2022.
Clwyd West MP and former Brexit minister David Jones said “all this agitation by the Chancellor” is “hugely discourteous” to Theresa May.
A KEY test of First Minister Carwyn Jones’ influence in the Labour party will be whether MPs vote to derail the UK Government’s fiercely controversial Brexit Repeal Bill, Plaid Cymru claims.
Plaid argues that the best opportunity to defeat the legislation will come in September in the Bill’s second reading.
The legislation will take the UK out of the European Union but also give Westminster ministers the powers to make potentially thousands of changes to laws.
The Scottish and Welsh first ministers have condemned the Bill as a “naked power-grab”. Plaid argues that if Labour MPs “sit on their hands” when it comes before Parliament they will be “endorsing and demonstrating support for this power-grab”.
Plaid’s four MPs have tabled an amendment to the Bill designed to stop it in its tracks because it “withdraws the UK from the single market, the customs union and its associated frameworks without any indication as to their replacement”.
Plaid Cymru Carmarthen East and Dinefwr MP Jonathan Edwards, pictured, said the Bill was “a Trojan horse to reassert Westminster control over the British state”.
He said: “This first big parliamentary showdown following the summer recess will be a big test for Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones.
“If he has any influence over his London bosses they will follow Plaid Cymru MPs against this Bill at Second Reading. Labour’s action during Second Reading will also indicate their likely position when the Bill is debated in the National Assembly.
“If Labour fail to protect Welsh democracy and the Welsh jobs in these defining votes, history will not be very kind on their act of cowardice.”
A spokesman for Carwyn Jones said: “The First Minister and Welsh Labour Ministers have worked very closely with [Shadow Brexit Secretary] Keir Starmer and [Shadow Welsh Secretary] Christina Rees and are united in their desire to get the very best deal for Wales.
“The Welsh Government has repeatedly tried to engage with the UK Government on these matters and has put forward constructive proposals
“The First Minister has repeatedly said that the Welsh Government cannot recommend that legislative consent is given to the bill as it currently stands. Plaid should be well aware, and supportive, of this position.”