5. Debate on a Member's Legislative Proposal

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:53 pm on 17 January 2018.

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Photo of Steffan Lewis Steffan Lewis Plaid Cymru 3:53, 17 January 2018

I thank all Members for their contributions this afternoon and for the many kind personal comments that have been expressed as well.

Due to my excitement earlier, I don’t think I’ve got time to go through every contribution, but I’d like to echo what the Cabinet Secretary said in terms of the contribution by the Conservative group today. I think this is a very constructive contribution. Certainly, I think it sends a far stronger message from this institution when parties from all sides can come together to say that enough is enough and there has to be genuine respect for the constitutional settlement that we all value and cherish.

I’ve had a bit of time on my hands recently, Llywydd, and yesterday spent six hours watching the debate in the House of Commons on the EU withdrawal Bill. You might be surprised that I’ve bothered turning up today; it was riveting. [Laughter.] One of the misconceptions that is repeated often is that the UK Government isn’t taking any power away, it’s just replacing the European Union with itself in terms of the confines of devolved matters. But of course, that is not true, because, as things stand now, all that changes after separation is that the European ceiling on devolved matters is lifted, but the devolved matters remain devolved. The legislation in Westminster acts contrary to that and acts in order to take those powers away, or at least places confines upon them.

On the point about the co-operation with the Scottish Government, I welcome that. I think it's disappointing that UK Government hasn't listened to both Governments in terms of their amendments. But, my understanding is that the Scottish Government could, within a matter of a week or so, submit its continuity Bill to the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament. I'd like to echo what Simon Thomas said: I don't think that publishing a draft Bill or even submitting a Welsh continuity Bill now to our Llywydd would in any way undermine joint action in the House of Lords. In fact, I believe it would strengthen it, as Mick Antoniw alluded to in his contribution.

Wouldn't it just be dreadful if this place, which has spent so much time debating the merits and otherwise of the continuity Bill, and has even drafted one and had one ready for some time, is the last one to publish? We won't be on the agenda in Westminster, it'll be Scotland again. So, I would urge the Cabinet Secretary—. I don't want to pre-empt anything, but it sounds to me like we might have consensus in this Chamber today on this matter, in which case that is a very strong mandate for this Government to move swiftly. Publish the continuity Bill, bring it forward. You have the backing, I think, of a majority in this house. Bring it forward, publish it, and protect Welsh devolution, before it's too late.