Llywydd, let us be under no illusion about the seriousness of this situation. I note the one thing the Prime Minister did not say last night, despite the crushing nature of the defeat, was that she would ask for an extension of article 50 to give breathing space for the new approach that she offered. Indeed, Government figures have continued to say that such an extension is not necessary. Meanwhile, as President Tusk has said, the risk of a disorderly Brexit has increased. A disorderly Brexit, as Mick Antoniw reminded us, would bring with it the tariffs and the quotas, despite the wishful thinking of Neil Hamilton. 

As things stand, we will leave the European Union on 29 March. That is what the law currently says. This can only change if the UK Government intervenes decisively. We call on them to ask the European Union to postpone the article 50 deadline and amend our domestic legislation, but for this request to succeed it must be clear that the Government are serious about arriving quickly at an approach that can command widespread support across Parliament and the country as a whole and which is acceptable to the EU-27. We've seen too often the Prime Minister meeting EU leaders with opaque propositions. Now, more than ever, the country needs robust, deliverable proposals, and this requires a fundamental rewrite of the political declaration. Minor adjustments will not do and this will not win agreement in Parliament in light of the scale of last night's defeat.

In the meantime, we must prepare for the reality of 'no deal' as best we can. I said so yesterday in my statement, and the First Minister said so last week in his, and yet again today. It is the only course of action open to a responsible Government that prioritises the interest of our people above all else. That is why we are proposing to reschedule business in this Assembly next Tuesday to focus on 'no deal' preparations. Notwithstanding our many disagreements, we are working constructively with the UK Government and our partners here in Wales and we will continue to do that, but such an outcome would be a travesty. It is the preference of only a tiny minority of ideologues and zealots in Parliament and in the country and would inflict great harm in the ways the Welsh Government and others in this Assembly have described, both today and consistently over the last two and a half years. 

The Welsh Government worked co-operatively with Plaid Cymru at the outset and we jointly produced 'Securing Wales' Future', a sound set of positions defining Wales's interests, which has stood the test of time. We were able to do this whilst respecting that of course we have differences and will continue to do so, but where we are able to agree on the big issues, we have done so for the good of the country. As I said yesterday in my statement, if we were able to produce a collective position, endorsed by this Assembly fully two years ago, why was the UK Government unable to do the same? The Prime Minister must now engage with an open mind with Parliament and the devolved institutions, drop her red lines, and put the national interest first.

Llywydd, I note that the amendment put forward by the Conservative group calls on us to work constructively with the UK Government to deliver the results of the 2016 referendum. Of course, we will continue to work with whatever Government is in power, as we have throughout the last two and a half years, but as I have explained, the onus is really on the Westminster Government to show that its commitment to start serious cross-party talks is genuine, if of course it survives the no confidence vote this evening. 

However, we oppose the amendment because it does not go far enough. The Assembly should make absolutely clear now that 'no deal' should be ruled out. Since the Conservative amendment says nothing at all about what sort of solution to this crisis might be envisaged, I surmise that this is because the divisions here mirror those in the party in Parliament. I know that some Conservative Members opposite really understand how deeply damaging 'no deal' would be. So, I appeal to them to join with us to support this motion, and then the First Minister can take a truly unequivocal message to the Prime Minister if and when she convenes the JMC this motion rightly demands.