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Drakeford calls for Brexit delay due to coronavirus emergency

24 Mar 2020 3 minute read
First Minister Mark Drakeford AM.
First Minister Mark Drakeford AM. Mark Hawkins / Alamy Stock Photo

The First Minister Mark Drakeford has written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson asking for an extension to the Brexit transition period in order to be able to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.

He said that due to the “extraordinary circumstances” the Prime Minister should “move urgently to pause the EU-UK negotiations”.

Under the circumstances it was implausible to stick to the current timeframe as they had no idea for how long they would be fighting the virus, he said.

“We simply cannot, combating Covid-19, do justice to the needs and interests of Wales in the negotiation process,” he says in the letter.

Ge also points to the likely economic impact of coronavirus and says that it would be unwise to “contemplate adding the kind of economic shock that would accompany any change in trading relationship with the EU”.

The negotiations could be resumed “in more normal and viable circumstances” once the pandemic is over, he says.

60 new cases have tested positive for Covid-19 in Wales since ysterday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 478, although the true number of cases is likely to be higher.

One further death of individuals who have tested positive for the virus has been reported by Public Health Wales, taking the number of deaths in Wales to 17.

 

‘Focus’

Commenting on Mark Drakeford’s letter to the Prime Minister calling for a Brexit delay, South Wales Central AM, Andrew RT Davies said his time and energy should be spent tackling the COVID19 crisis and nothing else.

“Pushing the Prime Minister on Brexit at this juncture is both bizarre and inappropriate, particularly given he has a number of more pressing matters to deal with such as the health of the nation,” he said.

“At a time of a national emergency where thousands of people could die, I’m absolutely staggered that the Welsh Labour Government feels that this is a priority right now.

“The NHS and tackling this awful virus should be the focus for all governments with trade talks left for another day and once we’ve come through the other side. All attention should be directed at saving lives, not stopping Brexit.”

‘Impact’

Mark Drakeford’s letter comes as Cardiff Airport, which is owned by the Welsh Government, faces a further cut in flights due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Dutch carrier KLM today announced the suspension of flights into and from Cardiff Airport from March 29 to May 3. The airline is retrenching its services and focusing on fewer routes during the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak, and the measure is one of a raft to deal with a significant downturn in airline travel.

Earlier this month operator FlyBe which also used the airport went into administration.

Russell George AM, the Conservative Shadow Transport Minister, reacted to the news saying: “Cardiff Airport has been struggling in recent months, and this blow from KLM – which is cutting around 90 percent of its flights – is clearly going to have an effect.

“Airport management had said – before this pandemic began to have a real impact on the sector – that Cardiff was ‘… in a stronger position’ because of its business growth and diversification over the past few years.

“However, this storm will be particularly difficult for the airport to ride out, and I hope the earlier optimism of its management – which had said the airport is in a ‘strong position to bounce back when the recovery comes’ – will be well-founded.”


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j humphrys
j humphrys
4 years ago

Sensible move.

Lord Muck
Lord Muck
4 years ago

Andrew RT Davies and Russell George both need to wind their necks in; putting party politics before the people of Wales (the Tory way).

Kathleen Stedham
Kathleen Stedham
4 years ago

No no no we have to ouselve leave as soon as possible or we will be paying Brussels for ever more when we need the money ourselves for the NHS etc

Llyn
Llyn
4 years ago

We have left the EU? If there was a pause in discussions why would this mean us giving money to the EU?

Steve Duggan
Steve Duggan
4 years ago
Reply to  Llyn

Irrelevant in the current situation and probably afterwards too

Llyn
Llyn
4 years ago

The UK and the World are heading for or already in a recession which could be worse than 2008 and in the midst of the worse peacetime crisis we have ever faced. To make trade more difficult and expensive with by far our biggest trading partner within months would be madness. However, Brexit is for many a religion whose promised land must be reached immediately whatever the financial and human cost. Remember, above all the Tory fury all the FM is asking for a delay in to discussions over the future trade deal. This is not as many nationalists will… Read more »

Walter Hunt
Walter Hunt
4 years ago

Extending the transition period beyond December 31st 2020 risks: the 3rd coming of Nigel Farrage; creating a lifeline for the Brexit party in the Senedd and a fire-storm of Brexit mania on social media. But with the COVID-19 plunging the world into economic chaos, disrupting global production and supply chains with long term consequences no one can predict, this is hardly the time to be conducting trade negotiations.

Huw Davies
Huw Davies
4 years ago
Reply to  Walter Hunt

If Remainers’ much repeated demographic analysis was accurate Covid 19 will kill off more Leavers than Remainers, so along with Farage’s 3rd coming we might get a relaunched Remainer campaign too ! All that aside, it makes sense to pause and take a deep breath before restarting trade talks although now might be the time for the whole world to rethink the tariff situation and how it helps or hinders poor slow-developing countries. Maybe the richer countries of the world should allow free access while accepting that they must not flood the poor countries with cheap goods that undermine their… Read more »

Ernie The Smallholder
Ernie The Smallholder
4 years ago

The UK parliament should also concentrate on solving the Coronavirus.
Already, returning people arriving at Bristol Airport (England) had NO health checks at the airport on arrival even though a couple of passengers on one of the flights from France were showing signs of infection.
These were responsible for a position case now reported in Ceredigion in Wales.
Why are the authorities in England not up to standard?
Wales is paying for UK England’s incompetance.

Steve Duggan
Steve Duggan
4 years ago

The First Minister talks sense but that probably won’t stop the ideological zealots in the Tory party.

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