‘That agreement may take in elements of current single market arrangements in certain areas—on the export of cars and lorries for example, or the freedom to provide financial services across national borders—as it makes no sense to start again from scratch when Britain and the remaining Member States have adhered to the same rules for so many years.’

But she respects, she said, the position taken by European leaders who have been clear about their position, just as she is clear about hers.

‘So an important part of the new strategic partnership we seek with the EU will be the pursuit of the greatest possible access to the single market, on a fully reciprocal basis, through a comprehensive free trade agreement.’

End of quote. After all, the UK is the EU’s biggest customer and a mutually beneficial free trade agreement with the EU—a single market—means, by definition, access to that single market.

Despite Welsh Government representations at the appeal into the High Court decision that Parliament must vote on the process to take the UK out of the EU, the Supreme Court made clear that the consent of the devolved administrations was not necessary before article 50 is triggered. The High Court has also since blocked a legal challenge arguing that Parliament must also approve the UK’s exit from the European Economic Area.

The people’s vote to leave the EU in last June’s referendum—including in Bridgend and Rhondda Cynon Taf—must be respected. In the months that followed, however, we’ve suffered Labour and Plaid Cymru prophecies of doom and gloom day in, day out, rather than the words of confidence and optimism needed. [Interruption.] You will create a self-fulfilling prophecy. It must be frustrating for a First Minister who has often sounded like the Private Frazer of Welsh politics, and for ‘Plaid Gremlin’ over there, who exist only to weaken and divide our island through the destruction of our UK—[Interruption.]—that the Bank of England has raised its forecast for the UK economy this year, with faster growth, lower unemployment and a more modest rise in inflation. The people of Britain, including Wales, have made the decision to leave the EU, and the UK Government is determined to get on with the job of delivering it. However, as every responsible Government knows, you don’t show your cards before negotiations begin.