2. 2. Debate: The Outcome of the EU Referendum

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:30 pm on 28 June 2016.

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Photo of Carwyn Jones Carwyn Jones Labour 3:30, 28 June 2016

Diolch, Lywydd. I knew, when this debate was tabled, and when it began, that we would spend much time I suppose re-running the events and arguments of last week. But the result is there. It’s right to say that it was close, but then the establishment of this institution was a close referendum result as well—subsequently, of course, much strengthened in 2011. I have to say to Caroline Jones that there were people trying to overturn the result. In 2001, the Conservative manifesto had a commitment to holding a referendum in order to allow people to overturn the result. That, fortunately, now is history. But it’s there: the result is there; there is no going back on it. To my mind, there is no call for a second referendum. I think there are great dangers in that. If there are calls for a second referendum, those who voted to leave will just get angrier and that anger will be translated into something more unpleasant. They will see that their majority view, as they see it, is trying to be undone, and there are great dangers there. So, I know that others have mentioned this, but I don’t think a second referendum is something that would be wise at this moment in time.

Could I turn to what the leader of the opposition said? He has positioned himself as somebody who can add to the debate—