PM’s deputy in Brexit crisis talks with First Minister

THERESA May’s deputy, Damian Green, will be in Cardiff today for crisis talks with First Minister Carwyn Jones over the handling of Brexit.

As negotiations in Brussels fail to make significant progress, Mrs May’s Government is facing a further challenge over the legislation aimed at pulling the UK out of the EU.

Mr Jones and Nicola Sturgeon, his counterpart in Scotland, strongly object to clauses in the EU (Withdrawal) Bill that would see Westminster grabbing powers that should be going to their devolved governments.

Westminster ministers say Wales and Scotland will get more powers, but that new UK frameworks are necessary in certain policy areas like farming and the environment.

With some Tory backbenchers threatening not to support the Government, Barry-born Mr Green, whose official title is First Secretary of State, and Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns will be hoping to persuade Mr Jones to back their position.

A UK Government statement said today’s talks would focus on arrangements under the EU (Withdrawal) Bill for distributing powers returned from the EU.

The Bill is scheduled to begin its Second Reading in the House of Commons on Thursday.

Mr Green and Mr Cairns will also visit Cardiff University and host the first meeting of the Expert EU Exit Implementation Panel for Wales at Caspian Point in Cardiff Bay.

Speaking ahead of the meeting with the First Minister, Mr Green claimed there was a lot of common ground between the UK and Welsh governments.

He said both governments agreed on the need to protect the benefits of the UK single market and to see more EU powers transferred to Cardiff. He described this as “a recipe for progress” in today’s important talks.

Mr Green said: “This is about ensuring we are ready for leaving the EU. The UK single market is one of our biggest assets, ensuring different parts of the UK can trade easily with each other.

“The Welsh Government agree that we will need a UK-wide approach in certain areas to maintain the benefits of the UK market.

“The UK Government has a strong record on devolving powers to Wales and we have said repeatedly that Wales will likely end up having more powers at the end of this process.

“I am confident that we can make progress through these talks. I want us to agree on a way to take things forward and I believe that should be readily achievable.”

Mr Cairns said: “The European Union (Withdrawal Bill) will deliver the certainty and continuity on exit day that businesses across Wales and the rest of the UK need. It is also our expectation that the outcome of this process will provide a significant increase in the decision-making power of each devolved administration. The UK Government is committed to positive and productive engagement going forward and I look forward to a constructive meeting with the First Minister on these important matters today.”

The Secretaries of State will later gather together representatives from the business, agriculture and third sectors in Wales for the first meeting of the Expert Implementation Panel for Wales.

Mr Cairns has established the group to work with him to deliver a smooth and orderly exit from the EU in Wales.

The panel will provide direct, twoway lines of communication – from the panel directly into the heart of UK Government through the Welsh Secretary, and from the UK Government to stakeholders throughout Wales who have an interest in ensuring a successful EU exit for all sectors across Wales.

The Ministers will also take the opportunity to underline the UK Government’s commitment to supporting the burgeoning compound semiconductor industry during a visit to the Institute of Compound Semiconductors at Cardiff University.

Last year, the UK Government announced that it will invest £50m to establish a new Compound Semiconductor Catapult Centre of Excellence in south-east Wales. This new Catapult will be delivered as part of the £1.2bn City Deal to unlock significant economic growth across the Cardiff Capital Region.

In advance of the meeting, Mr Jones is keeping his powder dry.

A spokesman for the First Minister said: “As this is the first time the First Minister has met with the First Secretary, the First Minister is hoping this is an opportunity to reset the relationship with the UK Government and develop a better way of working together on a range of areas, but with particular relevance to Brexit and the EU (Withdrawal) Bill.”

In July, however, Mr Jones and Ms Sturgeon issued a joint statement in which they said they had “repeatedly tried to engage with the UK Government on these matters, and have put forward constructive proposals about how we can deliver an outcome which will protect the interests of all the nations in the UK, safeguard our economies and respect devolution”.

Mr Jones has said he would produce his own legislation, in the form of a Continuity Bill, if he felt the Westminster legislation threatened the powers of the Assembly.