Diolch, Lywydd. Rwy’n symud y cynnig hwnnw.

On 24 January, I presented to the Chamber our White Paper, ‘Securing Wales’ Future’. It sets out the priorities for Wales as we approach the UK’s exit negotiations from the EU. I’ve been pleased by the support that Members from different parties and others more widely have given to that paper. It shows how packed and fast the agenda is that, in the fortnight since then, there have been some rather significant developments. In no particular order we’ve seen a very helpful report from the External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee on the impact of leaving the EU, a Supreme Court judgment that the UK Government could not use the royal prerogative to invoke article 50, we’ve seen the meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee here in Cardiff, the introduction of a UK Bill to allow the UK Government to trigger article 50, a surprise commitment from the Prime Minister to a UK Government White Paper, and, hot on the heels of that announcement, the publication of that White Paper. But, sadly, what we are still waiting for is a clear and detailed explanation of what the UK Government’s position really is. The UK Government White Paper is a small step in that direction, but I still fear that the UK Government has not yet worked out a comprehensive strategy as to how it wants to deal with the challenges ahead and what sort of journey it wishes to get onto. I’ve seen little evidence of these issues being addressed.

As ever, each development answers some questions and raises many others, but there is one fixed certainty in this: as I have said many times since 24 June, the UK is leaving the EU; that debate is over. But I want to stress again that my role is to lead the Welsh Government and to speak to the UK Government on Wales’s behalf to secure the best outcome for the people of Wales. Overall, I am very confident that the positions and principles we set out in the White Paper two weeks ago will remain highly relevant throughout the negotiations. We’ve articulated them in discussions with the UK Government, and will continue to do so. Without betraying confidences, it’s fair to say that the UK Government, and particularly the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, have said clearly that they share many of our objectives. Llywydd, I hope Members will now have had a chance to consider them in detail and will see them as the firm basis to support the resolution.

So, let me set out our priorities once again, and I’ll reference the UK Government’s position where I can.

First, let me reiterate our overriding economic priority. We need to continue to have full and unfettered access to the single market. That access is key to attracting and retaining investment, it’s fundamental to so many jobs—and, in particular, so many highly paid, highly skilled jobs here in Wales—it’s fundamental to our economic future, so why would we want to walk away from it?