6. Statement by the Minister for Economy: Wales and Europe — Managing a new relationship

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:15 pm on 1 February 2022.

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Photo of Vaughan Gething Vaughan Gething Labour 5:15, 1 February 2022

As I was saying, Derek Vaughan was recruited properly and in line with civil service recruitment procedures, and I always say that the Welsh Government could do with a bit more Vaughan to make it more effective.

On your broader point, though, about what has happened, I take the view that it doesn't matter how you voted now, the referendum happened and we've left the European Union. What does matter is that we're straight with people about what that means: there are different relationships in place; the UK has chosen to be a third country; the Government of the UK has chosen not to take part in a single market or customs union. That means there are more barriers in place. The trade and co-operation agreement that we have does not fully replace those; it makes it more difficult to trade with the European Union. And the UK Government's own assessment is that the pandemic is likely to reduce GDP by 2 per cent. Leaving the European Union on the terms that we have done is likely to double that—a 4 per cent loss of GDP. That's the choice that has been made by the UK Government. I don't remember the last time a UK Government chose deliberately to reduce the economic output of the United Kingdom, or what that means in terms of jobs and businesses here. That's in addition to the choices that they have then made about what has happened, including the £1 billion removed from Wales, including the deliberate breach of a manifesto pledge that Wales would receive not a penny less. That's the truth of the matter, and if nothing else, I think the Welsh Conservatives would do themselves some favours if they only acknowledged the facts of what is happening and did not take us all for fools. This is the choice that you have made, you have argued for and you're defending. You could, of course, choose not to defend the indefensible of the UK Government and choose to join us in standing up for Wales. I won't hold my breath.