Janet:
As the great, late Winston Churchill said in 1947,
'there is the broad feeling in our country that the people should rule, continuously rule, and that public opinion, expressed by all constitutional means, should shape, guide, and control the actions of Ministers who are their servants and not their masters.'
These are very wise words that have eluded the Welsh Government. Despite the people of Wales voting to leave the European Union in a referendum held on 23 June 2016—
You have campaigned to remain in the EU. You have proposed that Parliament should legislate for a referendum with 'remain' on the ballot paper. You have seen the First Minister here—and I don't refer to him as Mark Drakeford, despite everybody in this Chamber, on those benches, referring to our Prime Minister as 'Boris Johnson' or 'Johnson', even—with the First Minister of Scotland, call for a further referendum. And only last week, you voted against the withdrawal agreement Bill.
Plaid Cymru are no better when it comes to respecting voter democracy either. Plaid Cymru tabled a motion calling on the Assembly to declare its unequivocal support for a confirmatory referendum on any proposal by the Prime Minister to take the United Kingdom out of the European Union with 'remain' on the ballot paper. It has taken until now, only this week, for the leader of Plaid Cymru, Adam Price, to acknowledge that it is time to focus on the new opportunities that Brexit will bring.
Interestingly, I think that the penny may just have dropped with Plaid Cymru, and that they realise now that there could not be such a thing as an independent Wales within the EU. Mind you, it could be more down to the fact that they've realised that the forthcoming elections are around the corner, and they've seen the recent polls.
But to put it simply, the EU sucks sovereignty from our national Government and places it in the hands of unelected commissioners, denying democracy, and rubbishing referendums has its own consequences. Winston Churchill quite rightly stated that people should rule and that Ministers are their servants, and not their masters. The people have held Welsh Labour and Plaid politicians to account, returning the highest number of Welsh Conservative MPs since 1983 and my own MP, with a much-improved majority, Robin Millar. My colleagues are keeping to our manifesto commitments and I am delighted that Wales, along with the rest of the UK, will leave the EU at 11 o'clock on 31 January.
It is now time for you to commit to engaging positively with the UK Government as the United Kingdom leaves the EU. It is now time to make the most of the benefits Brexit will bring. Do you know what is sad for me as an Assembly Member? When I've heard people on those benches say, 'Oh, I can't wait till it all goes wrong and then see what you say.' [Interruption.] I have heard that being shouted across the Chamber.
The UK will be able to forge new trade deals for the first time in nearly half a century. It is about creating a global Britain and we are on track to doing just that. Already, around 20 continuity deals have been agreed, covering 50 countries or territories. However, we are also determined to ensure a close relationship with the EU too. [Interruption.] No, sorry. I don't see why it has to be either/or. Given that we are already aligned and that our trade deficit with the EU was £64 billion in 2017, I am confident that a new free trade agreement will be secured by the end of this year. The UK Government is looking out for businesses and creating a platform from which they can flourish. For example, our Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Boris Johnson MP, has increased export financing support, built a new platform to help small and medium-sized enterprises with contracts abroad, and developed a strategy to help increase British exports to 35 per cent of gross domestic product.
We are looking out for our farmers, too, as there is a clear commitment that we will not give up on our excellent food standards. Any new products wishing to enter the UK market must comply with our high standards on animal welfare and food safety.
Wales voted to leave, the people voted to leave, so I am proud that we as Welsh Conservatives are doing everything possible to support the best interests of every corner of our nation. The Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Boris Johnson MP, has confirmed that the EU cash Wales currently receives will be matched, and the new shared prosperity fund will provide an opportunity to tackle deprivation and raise living standards in some of the poorest parts of Wales. Brexit can be and is, in fact, a bright light for Wales, so I for one will be celebrating its deliverance on Friday night and the start of a global Britain, global Wales. And I'll be doing the Westminster bongs at exactly 11 o'clock.
