North Wales MS Mark Isherwood has called on the Welsh Government to finally accept Brexit and focus on the opportunities the UK trade deal will generate for Wales.
Speaking during last week’s Welsh Government Debate in the Senedd on ‘The End of the Transition Period’, Mr Isherwood said the deal “enables an outward-looking, Global Britain to strike trade deals with new markets as a liberal, free trading, force for good in the World” and will “take back control of our money, borders, laws and trade, whilst providing Welsh businesses with access to the EU market”.
He criticised the Welsh Government for hauling Members of the Senedd back during the Christmas recess “at great public expense – and even greater public indifference – for a pathetically predictable Debate on a trite and tawdry Motion” with “more whinge and wail, sneer and scaremonger”, and urged those in power in Wales to finally accept that “the people voted for Brexit” and that “Brexit is done.”
He said:
“Our UK has secured a trade deal with the EU that many thought was impossible. This is a truly historic moment for we Britons across our 4 Nations.
“It is the first time the EU has ever agreed a zero tariffs, zero quota trade deal.
“Experts say the post-Brexit trade deal will help the economy bounce back in 2021 after a bleak year dominated by the coronavirus crisis.
“Even before the Deal, this Month’s Treasury Forecasts for the UK economy, based upon a monthly comparison of independent forecasts, averaged 5.4% growth in 2021, with Goldman Sachs expecting the economy to grow by 7% next year, and both JP Morgan and Pantheon Macroeconomics predicting 7.5%.
“And four days ago, the Centre for Economic and Business Research announced that Britain has become the world's fifth-largest economy once again, and is set to push further ahead of seventh-placed France in the decade after Brexit.”
Mr Isherwood stressed that the deal means the UK can now regulate in a way that suits the UK economy and UK businesses and allows the UK to introduce a modern subsidy system that can better support businesses to grow and thrive.
He said: “World-renowned Welsh products such as Welsh lamb, Welsh laverbread and the Denbigh Plum will be protected in both the EU and the UK with geographical indications.
“The Deal provides continuity and opportunities for the Welsh economy, and meets the UK Government’s commitment to maintain high standards.
“Instead of perpetuating the bitterness surrounding the 2016 referendum, the Deal allows politics to move on and devote its energies to the future. But with big change comes challenge and opportunity. As the Prime Minister said, “Freedom is what you make of it”.”