7. Debate: The Equality and Human Rights Commission Annual Review 2016-2017

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:03 pm on 12 December 2017.

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Photo of Joyce Watson Joyce Watson Labour 6:03, 12 December 2017

Last week, I attended the Women's Equality Network Wales's AGM. You might expect, and it was the case, that many of these issues were on their agenda. In discussing equality and human rights, inevitably you end up talking about Brexit. So, I am really encouraged that the Equality and Human Rights Commission is providing advice to the Welsh Government advisory group on Brexit and also, we've heard, to Members through their committees. Brexit is fundamental to the conversation because, when we leave the EU, we will leave the charter of fundamental rights. That means rights not covered by the UK Human Rights Act 1998, like various workers' rights, and rules around discrimination could be scrapped, and we want and need to understand that.

The UK Government has, of course, promised to protect them under the great repeal Bill. Sounds great, but I'm a sceptic that a Conservative Party that opposed many of those rights and freedoms in the first place will defend them to the hilt once the ink is dry on the divorce papers. And even—