Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:54 pm on 12 January 2021.
I welcome this motion today and welcome the fact that the Trade Bill is another legislative step to embed Brexit, which, after all, was the biggest constitutional change on any ballot paper in Wales since the vote for devolution. I note this is the second time an LCM on the Trade Bill has come before this Chamber, reflective, I believe, of a rapidly evolving situation in the UK Parliament and reflective of the trade negotiation process with the EU. I thank the committees for their detailed considerations of the LCMs, and I note some disquiet in the report about the use of inter-governmental agreements and despatch-box commitments, and I share that concern, not due to any visions of Wales being done down in any way, but because the approach is messy and relies on too many variables. I understand that we may well hear—well, we've usually heard the term 'power grab' from Plaid, but they didn't use it today—but I would remind those tempted to use those kinds of words that while we were under the jurisdiction of the EU, this place and the Welsh Government appeared perfectly happy to accept any terms deemed necessary by the EU with no meaningful democratic route to query or influence. And now, in the last few days, we see a deal struck between the EU and China. Would we, or our constituents, be happy with that development? COVID aside, the human rights record of the Chinese Communist Party is totally deplorable and should not be rewarded in any way.
As you may have predicted, I will be voting in support of this LCM today, but before I close, I would like to place on record my thanks to the former Minister for international relations for her hard work and pragmatism in getting to this point. It is very much appreciated. And Mr Miles, thank you for supporting this as well today. Diolch yn fawr.