A joint Plaid Cymru-Welsh Government motion calling for ‘work to begin immediately on preparing for a public vote’ has passed with a substantial majority in the National Assembly for Wales. This has been welcomed by anti-Brexit group Best for Britain and it's campaigners.
The joint motion was agreed following constructive discussions between Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Government following last night’s votes in Westminster.
The passed motion also:
Condemned the Tory UK Government for failing to engage with the devolved institutions and other parties;
Called for a ‘catastrophic’ no deal scenario to be taken off the table and for Article 50 to be extended;
and called on the Westminster parliament to step up discussions with the devolved legislatures
Speaking following the result of the vote, Plaid Cymru Leader Adam Price said:
“As Westminster descends into chaos and fantasy, the Welsh Assembly has shown the way forward by giving its enthusiastic backing to begin preparations for a People’s Vote immediately.
“In a time of crisis, the people expect their elected representatives to take a grown-up approach and work together to secure their best interests, which is why Plaid Cymru decided to work with the Labour Welsh Government to find a solution that is in the best interests of people in Wales, and across the whole of the British Isles.
“Westminster’s Unicorn Brexit, which involves seeking an impossible deal already ruled out by the EU, while also wishing to rule out the only consequence of such an approach without explaining how, will lead to a No Deal Brexit which would mean disaster for all our citizens.
“Politics is broken and in 58 days’ time it’ll be more than politics at stake. People will not forgive us and history will judge us harshly if we did not do everything we could to stop an avoidable disaster.
Commenting further, Welsh Education Secretary Liberal Democrat Kirsty Williams AM added:
“Welsh Liberal Democrats have been fighting for over two years to give the people the final say on the deal with the option to remain in the EU.
“The best way out of this mess is to go back to the people and give them a final say on Brexit with the option to stay in the EU. That is what the Welsh Liberal Democrats will continue to unequivocally fight for.”