No-deal Brexit is foolish and mistaken’
negotiated with our European partners given the right spirit and the right intention – that’s the way to do things and that’s what we were here to say today.”
A key point of tension is the UK Government’s key Brexit legislation, which First Minister Carwyn Jones described as a “power-grab”. The Welsh Government is pushing for changes and there is the possibility that the Assembly could refuse grant consent to the legislation.
Mr Drakeford said the Welsh Government could not yet give the green light for AMs to back the Bill.
He said: “Certainly as it is at the moment, we could not do that but we have put forward amendments which we think would improve that Bill and we think the UK Government needs to engage absolutely purposefully with us so that we can help to make that Bill a success.”
The Welsh Government argues that powers held by Brussels today in areas such as agriculture should be transferred to the Assembly and not held by Westminster.
Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns said there was now “agreement on a key set of principles on how we will look at the powers that are being repatriated”, adding that he was “optimistic that Wales and the UK can prosper as we leave the European Union”.
He argued the UK Government was right to prepare for the possibility of no deal, saying: “Of course, we want to get the best deal as we leave the European Union that will work for every part of the UK. The UK Government will be preparing for a deal and we hope and plan to get a good deal – but of course we will also be preparing for every eventuality.
“That’s what industry and taxpayers would expect us to do.”