Well, it’s always unwise for a politician to suggest that they can represent the views of every single individual, ranging from the far left to the crazy right in that regard. But I think what she would’ve wanted to say is that she would look to represent people as widely as possible; it’s not for me to talk on her behalf.

Nothing was said about what financial commitments there might be and how they might be resolved. They will form part of the negotiation, and that is a matter for the UK and the EU to resolve. But, of course, from our perspective, it seems that, if there are any financial obligations, if they’re not going to be discharged then that’s not a particularly good start to any negotiations in the future. But these are matters that will need to be resolved.

The greatest concern I have at this moment in time is that the UK will have a team that is inexperienced up against an EU team that’s highly experienced. The UK has no experience of negotiating these kinds of deals, and so I actually think it’s in the UK’s interests for this process to take more time in order for that team to get the experience that it needs. Trying to get a deal done within a year with an inexperienced team I think is bad, and those who know—and I’ve spoken to those who have been involved in trade negotiations—will say that to get a fully functioning free trade agreement takes between six and seven years. It’s not a year process. And that’s where two parties have already agreed to talk to each other rather than the one saying, ‘We’re going to talk to you’, and the other not being a willing partner in those negotiations, although a partner that is now engaging in those negotiations.

So, my great problem with all this is that I think there are realists, but there are those who still take the view that all of this is easy, that the world will fall at Britain’s feet, and everything will be fine in the end. It won’t be; this is going to take a lot of hard work. The view of the people must be respected, I understand that, but, in order for people not to be hurt economically, in order for Wales not to suffer job losses, it’s hugely important that we put in place a structure that is in Wales’s interest, the UK’s interest, and the EU’s interest. I take the Prime Minister at her word this afternoon when she said she wanted a deep relationship with Europe. I take her at her word when she described herself and others as fellow Europeans. We must reach out the hand of friendship even as we leave, and that is in the interests of both parties.