‘no turning back’ as May pulls the trigger on Brexit
THERESA May triggered the start of the Brexit process yesterday, declaring it “an historic moment from which there can be no turning back”.
The Prime Minister formally triggered the two-year process of UK withdrawal from the European Union.
In a letter to European Council president Donald Tusk, Mrs May said the UK wanted a “deep and special partnership” with the future EU of 27, but restated her determination the UK should regain control of its borders, leave the single market and escape the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice.
She also signalled yesterday that the Welsh Assembly would gain “significant” new powers. Mrs May held out the prospect of a stronger Assembly as powers are returned from Brussels.
She said the devolved administrations should see “a significant increase in their decision-making power as a result of this process”.
But First Minister Carwyn Jones did not hide his irritation at the triggering of Article 50 which he said was “the culmination of a deeply frustrating process in which the devolved administrations have been persistently treated with a lack of respect”.
He spoke of his frustration that he didn’t see the Article 50 letter beforehand.
In a statement to AMs yesterday, Mr Jones said: “I should be clear, though, that I did not see the letter before today and we were not invited to contribute to its drafting. This is unacceptable and is the culmination of a deeply frustrating process in which the devolved administrations have been persistently treated with a lack of respect.”
He added: “I do not see how the Prime Minister can claim to negotiate on behalf of the whole country when she disregards the rights of this Welsh Government to speak up for the people of Wales.”
However, Mr Jones said he supported many of the ambitions set out in the letter.
He said: “In a letter to us today, the UK Government says it has taken into account our six priorities in formulating its negotiating position, and despite the huge flaws in the internal UK negotiating process, I believe we can see evidence of this.”
He concluded: “The first job of this Government is to speak up for Wales, and we will do that with vigour and determination.
“We will not sulk from the sidelines but step up to the plate and do what we can to deliver the best possible outcome for our country.”
Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood said: “[We] will be pressing for another Wales Bill [to] ensure that the Prime Minister makes good of her remarks today and to enable decisions over crucial areas such as policing, energy and broadcasting to be taken closer to the people they affect.”