5. 4. Statement: The EU (Withdrawal) Bill

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:23 pm on 19 September 2017.

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Photo of Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas Independent 4:23, 19 September 2017

(Translated)

May I thank the First Minister for his attempt to explain to this Assembly and to the people of Wales what the UK Government have been endeavouring to do? But could he just assist me a little further? Can he tell this Assembly how soon was he given notice of the intention of the UK Government to legislate in this particular way? Because what bugs me—as we say in Llanrwst—is why the legislation of devolution is placed in European legislation, rather than being dealt with as devolved legislation. After all of the time that we wasted on the Wales Act, as it is now, in endeavouring to develop a new structure of powers, then all of that is pulled from under us—the devolved map—because of the UK’s modus operandi in legislating here. Now, I believe that they failed to draft this properly, and that is the fundamental weakness here.