Speaking in last week’s Assembly debate on ‘UK Withdrawal from the European Union’, North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood emphasised the need for strong leadership in Wales to ensure the best deal for the country and its people.
He stated that “If we believe, opportunity beckons. If we don’t, failure becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy” and quoted a Flintshire company he visited this week, who are switching their French production to North Wales, and told him “you don’t need to be in the EU to have a future.”
He said: “Although many supported a ‘remain’ vote, Wales has voted to leave the EU and all views must be respected and heard. As negotiations in relation to the UK’s withdrawal from the EU progress, Wales will need strong leadership that reflects the wishes of its people and ensures the best deal for our nation in this new era.
“The Welsh Conservative group places a high value on access to the single market, recognising that access to markets is also a two-way process, and many EU nations depend heavily on both the Welsh and UK marketplace. The Welsh Conservative group will be resolute in ensuring the best deal for Wales in a post-Brexit UK, including in relation to funding streams. We do believe that Wales must benefit from at least as much funding as we move forward”.
He said ultimately a primary aim must be to close the prosperity gap between Wales and other European nations, which has enabled Wales’ access to many EU funding streams over many years.
He spoke of his Party’s commitment to ensuring Welsh farming flourishes, emphasised the fact that Britain is one of the world’s largest economies that already conducts more trade outside the EU than any other member state and said Welsh representation must have a central input as part of the negotiation process for the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, where all UK nations face unique, separate challenges.
He said: “Outside the EU, we do regain the freedom to forge trade deals while continuing to trade with European partners. Green shoots are beginning to emerge, as other countries and states start to realise the possibility of free-trade deals with the UK and its constituent nations.
“Speaking today (Wednesday), Prime Minister Theresa May referred to the need to negotiate the best deal for Britain in leaving the EU, and to forge a new role for ourselves in the world, adding: ‘Brexit means Brexit, and we are going to make a success of it.’ Let’s do that.”