Mark Drakeford, First Minister of Wales
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
Today we have published ‘A Brighter Future for Wales’, setting out in detail the potential damage of leaving the EU without a deal and making the case for continued membership of the EU. It shows how within the EU we could address some of the concerns which fuelled the Leave vote in 2016.
Since the referendum on EU membership, through our White Paper – ‘Securing Wales’ Future’ - and subsequent policy papers on trade, migration, regional investment and devolution, the Welsh Government have published evidence, analysis and detailed proposals on the way forward on Brexit.
In these papers, we set out detailed proposals on a form of Brexit that respected the result of the referendum while also limiting the damage to the economy of Wales.
‘A Brighter Future for Wales’ builds on our record of providing evidence and policy analysis on Brexit related issues and how to protect Wales’ interests.
In the document we consider each of the 6 priorities set out in ‘Securing Wales Future’:
- Economy
- Migration policy
- Funding and Investment
- Social and environmental protections and values
- Constitutional affairs and devolution
- Transition
We also highlight that the single greatest myth of a no deal is that it will avoid the need for negotiations with the EU and, in the longer term, a deal. In reality, a no deal Brexit will not be the end of 3 years of uncertainty – we will still need a deal with the EU and a crash-out will make these negotiations all the more difficult.
As we have previously made clear, faced by the imminent threat of a no deal Brexit, the decision needs to go back to the people, and it is in the interests of the people of Wales that the UK remains in the EU.