Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:07 pm on 25 April 2018.
Can I finally thank you, Cabinet Secretary, for your statement this afternoon? We're aware in the External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee of your unwavering commitment to deliver the best deal for Wales in your negotiations, and I think it is important to remember that the Cabinet Secretary and indeed the First Minister have always said that the Welsh Government's preference was to secure an agreement on the withdrawal Bill, and of course that's why we put forward those important amendments.
The two questions I want to raise are about your response to whether you think you've secured a commitment to a real step change in inter-governmental working in terms of, particularly, the crucial role of the JMC European negotiations vehicle, because that's crucial in terms of being able to deliver on this agreement, and for us also to be confident that we can scrutinise you and the Welsh Government and indeed the inter-governmental implementation of that agreement. And, of course, that has to be supported by, as a result of your good working relations with the Scottish Brexit Minister, Mike Russell, and I'm sure that that will be strengthened. So, just that one point.
Secondly, last night I attended with Eluned Morgan and a few others the Gina Miller lecture. There were hundreds of people there. I think we have got to recognise that people will want to know about this agreement, not just here in this Chamber or in your external advisory committee, but how can we actually share this news and explain to the people of Wales what has been achieved.
I think it's so important, finally, that we just translate: what does it mean? Today's amendment reverses the UK Government's original position. That's such an important statement. It creates a default position in which powers over devolved policy lie with the National Assembly, as they have done since 1999. The people of Wales want to hear that.