10. Brexit Party Debate: UK Internal Market Bill

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:18 pm on 16 September 2020.

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Photo of Mark Reckless Mark Reckless Conservative 6:18, 16 September 2020

We shall see. I look forward to listening to Members from across the Chamber and beyond debate the merits or otherwise of the devolution consequences of this Bill, and I hope to respond to them in appropriate detail when concluding the debate. However, I would not be surprised if I hear some Members contend that this Bill represents a power grab against devolution while others maintain it is a power surge for devolution. The truth is, I think, less extreme.

For many years, and increasingly, power in Wales has been exercised by the European Union. Wales and the UK as a whole voted to end that. As a consequence, power will flow from the European Union both to Westminster and the devolved institutions. The UK Internal Market Bill influences this to a degree, constrains us here in the exercise of some powers, but affirms and facilities our use of new powers in others. I strongly support the principle of mutual recognition and non-discrimination and, broadly, the way in which the Bill develops these. The Minister argued yesterday that they will constrain his Government and this Parliament. I agree. I welcome it. He fears a race to the bottom in regulatory standards. I look forward to greater competition—consumers empowered to decide for themselves rather than do as we tell them. To do that, they need to know what they're buying. On this issue, the Minister makes some compelling points. I would encourage the Conservatives to engage constructively with the Welsh Government on how best to ensure appropriate regulation of labelling to empower consumers.

This Chamber and the Commons become more powerful because we are leaving the European Union, so do both the Welsh Government and the United Kingdom Government. We believe that that is to be welcomed. For decades, the traditional model of parliamentary sovereignty at Westminster has been under threat from the European Union, which only ever aggregates more powers, and from the devolution process that only ever moves one way—towards independence. The Westminster Parliament is fighting back. We should welcome it.