Securing a meaningful role in international negotiations is therefore our absolute priority in the coming weeks, as preparations for negotiations ramp up. We want to ensure a clear role for the Welsh Government, so we will need robust mechanisms, not just for us to effectively represent Wales, but for the integrity of the union as well.

We are eager to ensure a clear role for the Welsh Government in all aspects of future trade negotiations. We aim to be constructive partners, and we believe a collective UK position, reflecting and respecting different priorities across all nations of the UK, can only be a source of strength in undertaking complex negotiations with powerful trading partners.

You can be clear that the EU will seek to balance the priorities of all 27 member states, involving them in setting a mandate and informing negotiations. This is part of what makes them formidable negotiators. The UK can equally balance the priorities of the four nations of the UK, and its negotiating hand will then be the stronger for it.

As a United Kingdom, it's essential that we learn lessons from the article 50 negotiating process and avoid repeating the same mistakes made by the previous Secretaries of State. There are two specific aspects that I want to highlight, but there are others. These are: first of all, the need to build consensus, and the second is being open about the trade-offs that are inherent in any trade deal.

Firstly, across the whole of the UK, we must build a shared vision, based on what we want our economy and future trading relationships to look like in future. This vision needs to be based on evidence and engagement with key stakeholders. All nations of the UK need to come together to develop and agree negotiating mandates. And these mandates will balance the interests of all parts of the UK and all parts of society, not just those in England. Scrutiny and debate are an essential part of any democracy and these should be embraced as a mechanism to improve trade policy and build cross-party consensus. This will then avoid subsequent Governments seeking to reopen or renegotiate agreements, when they come into power.

When the UK Government reintroduces the trade Bill, which deals with replicating existing EU trade agreements, we will press the UK Government to preserve the amendments that led to this Senedd giving its consent. But, if they now introduce legislation to provide a basis for the negotiation of new international treaties, we will demand that we too will have a role as devolved institutions, and that that role is then embedded in the new legislation. In the same vein, we will also seek support in the House of Lords to amend the withdrawal agreement Bill to formalise such a role with regard to EU negotiations.

A broad consensus also needs to reflect views of businesses, communities and citizens across the United Kingdom. We should at least match the EU and US by demonstrating transparency and encouraging public debate. We stand ready to work constructively with the UK Government to help build this consensus, and this includes being clear about how to protect our NHS in trade deals.