THE HERALD FRIDAY JANUARY 6 2017


33 Politics


Carwyn goes to Norway Brexit: ‘Clarity needed over trading policy’ Accused of


‘grandstanding’: Carwyn Jones


PLAID CYMRU has set out its


demands for the impending Brexit ‘plan’ from the UK Government, demanding that it clearly states its likely trajectory on trading policy. The party has reiterated its position,


backing continued membership of the Single Market and Customs Union outside the European Union and has called on the UK Government to clearly set out its position in the ‘plan’ due to be published before Parliament votes on triggering Article 50. The party’s Brexit spokesperson,


FIRST MINISTER Carwyn


Jones travelled to Norway on Wednesday (Jan 4) to better understand


the country’s


relationship with the European Union.


Although not an EU member and


outside of the EU Customs Union, Norway has full and unfettered access to the Single Market through its membership of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the European Economic Area (EEA). Speaking ahead of the visit, the


First Minister said: “Ahead of the forthcoming Brexit negotiations, it is important we build relationships with countries across Europe and the wider world and better understand how they trade successfully and operate internationally. "Over the next three days, I will be


meeting with Norwegian businesses and ministers with responsibility for trade and relations with the EU. "The UK is Norway’s largest


export market, accounting for 20% of the country’s exports, while 80% of their total exports remain within the EU due to their access to the Single Market. “I have been very clear about


what we need from Brexit. First and foremost, we need continued full and unfettered access to the European Single Market. Wales has


attracted investment from hundreds of international companies on the basis of access to the Single Market. Failure to maintain full access, free of tariffs and non-tariff barriers to trade post- Brexit could make sustaining and securing investment more difficult. “No country has ever left the EU


before and so, as we approach this uncharted territory, it is crucial we gather as much knowledge as possible about the possible paths we may take. “While in Norway, I will also


take the opportunity to learn about the country’s exemplar education system and how it supports rural areas through its regional policies.” The Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Andrew RT Davies, accused Mr Jones of wanting to have his cake and eat it. He said: “This is typical grandstanding from the First Minister, who appears to be unconcerned with political reality. “It is widely accepted on both


sides of the channel that you cannot have unfettered access to the Single Market without accepting the free movement of people. “Yet, the first Minister is currently


making access an absolute red line, whilst simultaneously claiming to accept the need for the repatriation of immigration controls. “He cannot have his cake and eat


Jonathan Edwards MP, said that while the UK Government has a mandate to leave the European Union, they do not have a mandate to determine the future relationship without consulting Parliament. He urged the Prime Minister to set out her intentions on whether she will pursue Single Market and Customs Union membership, a bespoke deal or revert to generic World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules. A poll conducted in Wales in


December revealed an overwhelming majority in Wales (54%) favour continued Single Market membership over controls on immigration, while 30% believe the opposite. Commenting, Plaid Cymru’s


Brexit spokesperson, Jonathan Edwards MP, said: “While Wales voted to leave the European Union, nobody voted to cut their own wages or make themselves redundant. “200,000 jobs in Wales depend on


our trade with the single market and it is our duty as politicians to represent the interests of the people who put us in Parliament and I cannot vote for something that I haven’t seen. “It is imperative that the UK Government’s plan for Brexit clearly outlines as its first objective, the trajectory of its likely trading policy


it. “Instead of chasing headlines, the


Welsh Government should be focused on working with the UK Government to achieve the best possible deal for Wales.”


£15m bus scheme ends aſter 18 months MYTRAVELPASS, a scheme


designed to help 16-18-year-olds travel to work and training by giving them a third off bus fares, is due to end 18 months after it was launched. The decision has been roundly


criticised by both the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats, who pushed for scheme to be implemented during the fourth Assembly. However, the Welsh Government


has said that MyTravelPass was only intended as a pilot, and funding had only been made available for 18 months. Welsh Liberal Democrat


spokesperson Cadan ap Tomos blamed the way in which the last Labour minority Government implemented the


scheme. “Welsh Lib Dems secured this


pilot scheme because we know that young people are unfairly penalised by high fares when travelling to work or training,” he said. “What’s clear is that the


implementation of the pilot by the last Labour Government was a disaster. It’s difficult to believe that despite access to affordable transport being a key concern for young people, only 7% of those eligible took it up.” However, Conservative AM


Mohammed Ashgar suggested that part of the blame lay with the Lib Dems, given that Kirsty Williams is a member of the current cabinet.


Jonathan Edwards MP: ‘We now favour continued membership of both the Single Market and Customs Union’


post-Brexit. Membership of the Single Market and Customs Union? A bespoke deal? Or revert to generic World Trade Organisation rules? The plan must make this clear to us as politicians and to the public at large, what the UK Government intends to do before we are asked to vote on it. “Plaid Cymru has made it clear


from the beginning that we will not vote for anything that is not in the interests of the people of Wales. We respect the fact that Wales voted to leave the European Union but nobody has voted to determine what our future relationship will be – whether we want to cut all our economic ties with Europe as well as the political ties for example.


“It is clear to me and to most in


Wales that as an exporting country that relies heavily on selling its goods to the Single Market and to countries with whom the customs union has bilateral trade deals, maintaining economic ties is essential. It is not unreasonable that I ask on behalf of my constituents and my compatriots for the UK Government to tell me whether they intend to maintain those ties or recklessly destroy them. “Plaid Cymru advocated a Remain


vote in the referendum but in light of the decision of the people of Wales to leave, we now favour continued membership of both the Single Market and Customs Union outside the European Union.”


The Shadow Skills Minister


said: “I am dismayed that the Welsh Government has decided to cancel this scheme which had the potential - if correctly implemented - to assist young people particularly from deprived communities, to seek education, training or job opportunities. “With a Liberal Democrat at the


heart of the government, you would’ve expected greater protection, support and oversight of a scheme secured through one of the party’s backroom deals. “Sadly, members of the Welsh


Government appear content to waste millions of pounds of hardworking taxpayers’ money just to do a deal and cling onto power.”


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