11. Debate: Stage 4 of the Law Derived from the European Union (Wales) Bill

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:16 pm on 21 March 2018.

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Photo of David Melding David Melding Conservative 6:16, 21 March 2018

We remain opposed to this Bill in principle for the reasons I set out in Stage 1. I don't think anything that's happened this afternoon could reassure people that this has in fact been a robust process for any type of Bill, frankly, let alone a constitutional one. But, in essence, as I said at Stage 1, the LCM process is the appropriate constitutional mechanism to protect the devolved settlement. 

I will conclude with this plea: it is time for all parties to focus on the inter-governmental arrangements needed to establish shared governance over UK frameworks. If we're to see a strong union post Brexit, the UK needs to focus on the issues set out in the CLAC report on UK governance post Brexit, which itself echoes many other reports that have been made in other legislatures, in Westminster and, I believe, in Scotland. That is what we need. We do need to have a system that takes us out of Europe but doesn't, in that process, weaken the devolved constitutions. And on that essential matter, we will seek to give every appropriate assistance to the Welsh Government when it operates in the national interest. Thank you.