Questions Without Notice from the Party Leaders

Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:45 pm on 27 February 2018.

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Photo of Rhun ap Iorwerth Rhun ap Iorwerth Plaid Cymru 1:45, 27 February 2018

I'm afraid to say that's a regression from the position taken by this Government some months ago. The joint White Paper 'Securing Wales' Future' concludes that Wales and the UK should remain in the EU customs union, and I quote:

'we'— that's you and us—

'are unconvinced that the possible benefits of withdrawing from the EU Customs Union outweigh the costs.'

In fact, every single reference to 'customs union' in Government policy since is to the existing customs union. There's not a single reference to a new, as yet non-existent type of customs union. So why, I ask, has the First Minister changed his tone or changed his language? Why does he now talk about 'a' customs union, as do you? Is it because the position as outlined by Jeremy Corbyn is at odds with what's in the interests of Wales and the people of Wales, and for want of a better term, the First Minister is therefore having to fudge it?