6. Equalities and Brexit — Joint findings by the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee and the External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:12 pm on 7 November 2018.

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Photo of Leanne Wood Leanne Wood Plaid Cymru 5:12, 7 November 2018

I'm pleased to be able to speak in this debate. In many ways, it's a continuation of yesterday's discussion on equalities and human rights. Let's make no mistake: despite the words we will hear later about remembering the sacrifice of those who fought the Nazis, these rights are under threat. It wasn't the EU's smooth arrangements for the transportation of medical isotopes that annoyed the wealthy people who funded UKIP and the 'Leave' campaign. It was the EU's protections for workers' rights, for women, minority rights and so on that really motivated them.

The EU is seen as an obstacle towards creating a neoliberal, Thatcherite, low-tax, low-regulation and low-worker-protection UK. Indeed, that's why there's been so much enthusiasm for a 'no deal' Brexit, because it would create the conditions of chaos that are necessary for privatising the NHS, for example, that they wish to impose.