9. United Kingdom Independence Party Debate: The European Union

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:26 pm on 27 March 2019.

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Photo of Darren Millar Darren Millar Conservative 5:26, 27 March 2019

I took a very long intervention there, Deputy Presiding Officer. But I will say this: at least Conservatives have the decency, when they disagree with their Government, to resign from the Government, unlike Members of the Welsh Government.

You either accept the decision of the people or you don't, and, if you don't, you should have the courage to say so, but, of course, the First Minister's not prepared to say so, which is why he's been trying to tread this very fine line, because he wants to try and follow the position of his boss, Jeremy Corbyn.

Now, our amendment to this motion, which I move, is very clear and simple. We respect the result of the referendum and we urge the Welsh Government to work with the UK Government as we leave the European Union. Today, MPs, a number of whom are determined to overturn Brexit, will be taking part in a series of indicative votes to try to determine a way forward, but it is absolutely clear that the quickest and most orderly departure from the EU would be to accept the compromise deal that has been agreed between the Prime Minister and EU leaders, and I very much hope that MPs who are committed to respecting the democratic result of the referendum will not hold out in the hope of what they regard to be a perfect Brexit deal. Instead, we need some pragmatism, and that's why I'm urging everybody to support this sensible compromise that the Prime Minister has developed with the EU, which I believe does deliver on the people's vote of 2016. A failure to support that deal could mean significant delays to Brexit; it could require us to take part in the EU elections, which are coming up in May; or even put Brexit at risk for years to come. But, of course, if we back the Prime Minister's compromise deal, the UK could be out of the EU in a matter of weeks, and that would deliver on the Brexit that the people of Wales voted for.