4. Statement by the Counsel General Designate and Brexit Minister: The UK Government's current proposals for EU Withdrawal

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:09 pm on 15 January 2019.

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Photo of Jeremy Miles Jeremy Miles Labour 4:09, 15 January 2019

I thank Rhianon for her question. The notion that a Government that is unable to take through the House of Commons its policy on the defining issue of the day should not seek a dissolution of Parliament would be very novel in our constitution. It would be exactly what follows, as night follows day, in any circumstance. So, it is right that the Government will face a motion of no confidence. As we have said, and as our colleagues have said in Westminster, it's a question of when, not if, that should happen. And we have said that, even at this late point in time, it is possible for the Prime Minister, should she choose to, to seek a different kind of deal with the European Union for Brexit, one that reflects a much closer relationship with the single market and the customs union, continued commitments of funding, a fair migration policy that works for the whole of the UK—not the principles that are set out in the immigration White Paper, which fundamentally do not work for public services, the private sector, here in Wales or across the UK—and a commitment to secure the rights of people on a progressive basis, keeping pace with developments across Europe, not simply frozen as they are today. It is still open for her to seek that sort of deal from the European Union.