Strengthening the Union

Part of 2. Questions to the Counsel General and Brexit Minister (in respect of his Brexit Minister responsibilities) – in the Senedd at 3:09 pm on 22 January 2020.

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Photo of Jeremy Miles Jeremy Miles Labour 3:09, 22 January 2020

Can I first take the opportunity that the Member's question presents to say that I welcome very much the restoration of power sharing in Northern Ireland and look forward very much to working with the Northern Ireland Executive? I will, if I may, take this opportunity to pay tribute to the work of the Northern Ireland civil service who, in difficult circumstances, have represented Northern Ireland in many inter-governmental fora, if I may say, extremely effectively.

She is right to say, and I think it's implicit in her question, that the Welsh Government will always seek every opportunity where it has shared interests with any other Government in the UK, a devolved Government or the UK Government, to represent the best interests of Wales. We have been, I think, creative and imaginative in the proposals that we have advanced for strengthening inter-governmental relations and putting them on a basis of mutual respect and parity of esteem and participation, as the question sets out.

There are many manifestations to that, which the document, 'Reforming our Union', sets out more fully. It's an important moment, I think, for the UK Government to recognise that we are in a different world as we leave the European Union, and that the constitution of the UK requires a fresh look on their part. We have engaged constructively with positive proposals. We think they are reasonable, we think they are rational, we think they're necessary for the future success of the union, and I hope that the UK Government will take them in that way.