6. 4. Legislative Consent Motion on the Wales Bill

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:04 pm on 17 January 2017.

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Photo of Andrew RT Davies Andrew RT Davies Conservative 5:04, 17 January 2017

I don’t accept that point that the Member has put, but he’s perfectly entitled to make the point. Also, the Bill does contain the ability for work to be done as the body of Welsh law increases, going forward, to make sure that the jurisdiction is responding to that body of law—as it increases, going forward. But I do think it is a very sad day when Plaid Cymru, in this Chamber, chooses to vote against a vehicle, an opportunity, for a huge transfer of responsibility and sovereignty. I think that is just the ultimate irony of the position they have taken today. They are perfectly entitled to do that, but I do think that they are missing the opportunity here.

I fully expect that there will be further discussions; I fully expect that there will be further changes, as we go forward, around the Brexit negotiations and discussions. We are in a different place to where we were when this Bill was first presented back in 2014. But it is a huge opportunity for this Assembly to rise to the challenge of these responsibilities; it is incumbent that we accept these responsibilities and use them to benefit the people of Wales within the United Kingdom. I urge Members to support this LCM.