Adam Price: The 2017 election, which is referred to, was a year after the referendum. In that election, 54 per cent of the voters across the UK voted for political parties who expressly, explicitly ruled out a 'no deal' Brexit in their manifestos. So, the clear mandate from the people is against a 'no deal' Brexit.
Adam Price: Look, now is your opportunity to show that clear green water, if you like. There's a motion that you'll be voting in favour of, or against, this afternoon. Take that opportunity to declare your own independence, if that is what you wish to do. Now, I think the amendments that we have tabled are in the spirit of trying to create unity across this Chamber. They are certainly not an attempt to...
Adam Price: We see a Government in Westminster at the moment that is intent on trying not only to leave the European Union without a deal in the most reckless manner possible, but willing to carry out their threats to use any means to do so whatsoever, including—the main focus for us today, of course—the suspension of Parliament, but also, as we've seen—we've heard reference to some of the legal...
Adam Price: Thank you very much, Llywydd, and I'd like to thank you for agreeing to the call from the First Minister for a recall of this Assembly. It follows a similar motion from us earlier in the summer, because we had anticipated at that point the thoughtless course being followed by Boris Johnson as Prime Minister. It's certainly a critical period for us as a nation, and it is appropriate that our...
Adam Price: There are elements in the statement on the legislative programme that the First Minister delivered this afternoon that are to be welcomed. We’ve already declared our support for the principle of embracing the social partnership model that will be attached to the Bill that the First Minister has referred to. We also welcome the move towards reregulation of the bus sector. We agree with the...
Adam Price: That isn't what you're doing. I mean, your housing Minister actually gave a speech at Shelter, where she said that you're not ending them completely and you didn't want the perfect to be the end of the good. Why didn't you say that at your conference? Now, the biggest promise, I guess, we make as public representatives is not to waste public money. Your Government has spent £9 million on a...
Adam Price: The answer is none of them. None of them. It's actually your own Government that responded to a freedom of information request yesterday. None of those 32 projects have actually used project bank accounts, despite what you've promised. That's a lot of compelling reasons, it must be. Failure to deliver on commitments like that doesn't just hurt your reputation, First Minister, or that of your...
Adam Price: Diolch, Llywydd. First Minister, on 6 December 2017, you made a written statement on project bank accounts, designed to prevent smaller subcontractors losing money when larger firms go bust. You said, 'From 1 January 2018, project bank accounts will be used, unless there is a compelling reason not to do so, on all conventionally-funded construction and infrastructure contracts...fully or...
Adam Price: Well, it was in our manifesto in terms of increasing the number of Members, and therefore you cannot blame us for the fact that you haven't reflected the position. [Interruption.] Where have you been? The chief whip has just—[Interruption.] The chief whip of your own Government has just said—[Interruption.] If I may finish the sentence, Mick. The chief whip has just said that she had...
Adam Price: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I think we have had a considered and useful debate. And that is what you get in parliaments when a motion is tabled. There is a range of views. We have seen, if truth be told, some common ground emerging in some of the contributions, and some fundamental differences of opinion, and I make no apologies at all for tabling this motion, because it is important...
Adam Price: Well, I think we've been very clear and consistent about this. I understand the spirit in which he’s making the point, but where else can we actually have that debate about the future of the Parliament than in the Parliament itself? I’m afraid I’m not going to apologise for that. This is the forum where we can have that discussion. Now, it can be done on a non-partisan basis, and I...
Adam Price: Yes, certainly.
Adam Price: But the essence of the argument that I'm presenting is that we cannot afford to wait until 2026. This is not a problem that can be put off until tomorrow, let alone another five years’ time—it’s a crisis in our democracy that we have to put right today. And we can do it today if we support this motion. And for those who are in any doubt about whether we have the time, I’d just remind...
Adam Price: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I'm pleased to rise to move the motion in the name of my party and, indeed, to build upon the previous debate's discussion of where we've come from, how we've developed as a Parliament, and how we could develop further. I think, in thinking about this arc of Welsh democracy, if you like, one way of seeing it is that we started as a Parliament that was small in size and...
Adam Price: I welcome the statement and the general framework that the First Minister has set out. I’d be interested to hear from the First Minister, in developing this model of social partnership, what other models across Europe or even further afield the Government has looked at. Of course, we classically are very familiar with the model of social partnership in Germany, for example, and in...
Adam Price: I think that's the second question I haven't had a clear answer for, but it does beg the question if you are claiming to be an out-and-out remain party why you are the only one that hasn't stood down to maximise the chances of defeating a pro-Brexit party in Brecon and Radnor. [Interruption.] Could I finally turn to some news that has broken in the last few hours, which is the interim...
Adam Price: So, if I can summarise your answer, we're unambiguously in favour of independence, you're ambiguously in favour of it. It's a definite maybe from the First Minister.
Adam Price: But one policy area—[Interruption.] One policy area in which there has been some—[Interruption.]
Adam Price: I think I've touched a nerve here maybe. One policy area in which there has been evolution is Brexit. Today, the Labour Party's put out a statement confirming it would campaign for remain in the event of a referendum called by a Tory Prime Minister, but it leaves open the question as to whether it would do the same if Labour were in Government. Do you support that position, or are you able to...
Adam Price: Diolch, Llywydd. First Minister, earlier this year, Machynlleth town council, seat of the first Welsh Parliament, of course, became the first council in Wales to declare a climate emergency, and a few months later, this Parliament and your Government followed suit. Two months ago, Machynlleth town council became the first council in Wales to declare its support for independence. I think you...
