Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:13 pm on 3 October 2018.
No, I won't—this is short.
This debate, it seems to me, is about much more than the prospect of leaving the European Union. We are, in effect, asking the people of Wales to think again. That's wrong. [Interruption.] Yes, and they voted leave.
Asking Wales to think again, this could start a dangerous precedent, and you lot know it. Let’s look back at the 1997 referendum on devolution. Then, the people of Wales gave a much less clear mandate for devolution than they did when they voted to leave the EU in 2016. But that was the right answer, clearly.
Then, in 2015, a majority Conservative Government was elected with a clear manifesto pledge to provide the people with an in/out referendum. Two questions: in or out. In 2016, the people duly voted in that referendum to leave the EU, and finally—and you can take the smiles off your faces, Labour Government—in 2017, both major political parties committed to leaving the European Union in both of their manifestos. So, there have been several people's votes on leaving the EU, whether you lot like it or not. You committed to it.
Today’s debate is certainly not about the people, it’s about politicians saying, 'We know best', ignoring the instructions given to us by the people. [Interruption.] You've had your instructions: it was 'leave'. Where does this end? [Interruption.] You know what, I can stand here all day and wait for my third paper if you want me to, I don't care. Yes? I'm disappointed to be standing here today. The new leader of Plaid Cymru—although, Adam, I really do like you—quite rightly, in my view—[Interruption.] The new leader in Plaid—[Interruption.]