Thank you for the opportunity to contribute in this important debate today, tabled by my colleague Mr Millar. Today, of course, as you clearly know, marks five years since the people of Wales voted to leave the European Union along with the people of the United Kingdom. And for me, one of the most fascinating aspects of the referendum was that it was the biggest democratic exercise that our country has ever seen. I want to take a few moments this afternoon to celebrate that.

Remember that we're elected here today with a turnout of around 45 per cent for these Senedd elections, and Westminster colleagues are elected at around 67 per cent turnout for their elections, but this referendum five years ago trumped this with a 72 per cent turnout. There was a huge amount of engagement by the electorate—1.6 million people in Wales voted in that Brexit referendum. It's a UK Conservative Government that is acting on the will of the people and is delivering on and continues to deliver on the mandate from the people of Wales in leaving the European Union. As politicians, of course, we must never forget who we represent and what they wish for us to do, and this referendum was a perfect example of this. [Interruption.] In your constituency, I'm sure you'll know, Mr Davies, 62 per cent, I believe, voted to leave.

The people of Wales chose to leave the European Union. They went against what many experts were telling them to do and they went against what many politicians were telling them to do. It was they who chose their destiny and it was they who chose their freedom from the European Union. The role, of course, of us as elected politicians—and certainly as Government—is to listen and carry out the will of the people and the people of Wales who give us their mandate. There's no clearer way to listen to the people of Wales than through a direct binary referendum. And in the words of one of the greatest exponents of democracy, Abraham Lincoln, democracy is 'government of, by and for the people'. Elections belong to the people; it's their decision.

It's clear more than ever that the British people have endorsed Brexit. They again endorsed the UK Conservative Government Brexit plan—[Interruption.] They endorsed it again, Mr Davies, at the most recent UK general election where the Conservatives gained a whopping majority to get Brexit done, as the Prime Minister continues to repeat. And as our Conservative motion outlines, it's now time for the Welsh Government to promote and take advantage of the opportunities that our departure from the EU presents. We have now fully regained our political and economic independence, taking back control of our laws, borders, money, trade and fisheries. Moving forward from this, the trade agreement that the UK has agreed with the EU on behalf of the British people will help to forge a fantastic new relationship with our European neighbours, based on free trade and friendly co-operation.

To conclude, Llywydd, today marks a very special day for democracy: five years since the largest vote this country has ever seen. And isn't it wonderful that we can see democracy in action, and the UK Government is delivering on the wishes of the people of this nation? Despite the scaremongering, the people of our great nation chose to leave the European Union. They chose to regain our independence, to control our laws and money, and decide our immigration and trade. Today allows us to celebrate the power of an individual person's vote, democracy in action and Government willing to deliver on a clear mandate. Now is the time to promote and take advantage of the opportunities that leaving the European Union have presented us. It's time to open up to the wider world and make this country an even better place. Diolch yn fawr iawn, Llywydd.