Plaid Cymru calls for public inquiry into post-Brexit economic woes
Plaid Cymru’s Westminster leader, Liz Saville Roberts MP has called for a public inquiry into the economic impact of Brexit ahead of a debate in Parliament today (Monday 24 April).
There has been increasing public support for an independent inquiry into the impact of Brexit ahead of the debate, with a petition receiving over 170,000 signatures.
An online poll of 1,340 voters by Omnisis last week also showed that 59% thought an inquiry should “probably” or “definitely” be launched, with only 25% against.
Pressure for an inquiry come as the UK faces the lowest economic growth rate among the G7 countries and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicts that it will be the only major economy to shrink this year.
Ms Saville Roberts said that if the UK Government truly believes that Brexit has delivered the benefits promised “they would welcome the opportunity to prove it through a comprehensive and impartial inquiry.”
Red tape
The Dwyfor Meirionnydd MP said Welsh businesses have been particularly hard hit by Brexit red tape.
In addition, the UK Government’s failure to replace EU investment programmes has caused significant economic and social damage in Wales, with the Welsh budget suffering a shortfall of over £1.1bn.
“Three years since leaving the European Union, the dire warnings of economic decline are coming to pass,” Ms Saville Roberts said.
“The UK has the lowest growth rate among G7 countries and the IMF forecasts that it will be the only leading economy to shrink this year. While Brexit is not the only factor, its importance cannot be denied.
“Welsh businesses are struggling to cope with mountains of Brexit red tape to trade with our nearest neighbours. Many have simply stopped bothering.
“The UK Government’s failure replace EU investment programme are set to leave permanent scars on Wales – both economic and social. The Welsh budget is more than £1.1bn lower due to substandard replacement programmes. Nobody voted for this.
“Those who promised what will never be delivered have much to answer for. It’s time for a public inquiry to be established to disclose the full impact of Brexit on our trade, economy, and opportunities for young people.
“If the UK Government truly believes that Brexit has delivered the benefits promised, they would welcome the opportunity to prove it through a comprehensive and impartial inquiry.
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Why bother with any kind of public enquiry ? It will turn out to be just another cover up or reworking of “truth” to suit the regime of the time. If Plaid politicians spent more time talking to the people that really suffer out in their communities they might learn something more real, more relevant to the directions we should be taking in the future. People are fed up, not just about the inability of politicians to organise a better post Brexit, but also the inability of same politicians to deliver on almost any area that impinges on the lives… Read more »
What sort of a better post Brexit did you want? When the UK chose to exit the Single Market and the Customs Union it became a Third Country restricted by regulations applied to all, an inescapable barrier between ourselves and the EU. All Third Countries must be treated the same, whether you are Britain, Brazil, Bahrein or Botswana. WTO rules. This was warned about and dismissed by the good citizens of Wales as Project Fear. This is what Wales voted for. OK, people were lied to by a small cabal of right-wing, mostly Tory, nationalists and that hasn’t stopped as… Read more »
A better post Brexit could have been achieved had our political leaders spent far less time on rhetoric and downright abuse – pro and anti both equally bad – and applied themselves to planning for the future including a more rational, less emotional jingoistic stance towards EU and anyone else who offered comment. The period from mid 2016 to end of 2019 was wasted by endless trading of abuse and posturing. By then I was already sure that the thing was a mess, evidence that no one in government or the civil service were capable of thinking through what could… Read more »
The problem you have is that you start with a faulty premise – that Brexit has any capability of being successful. Outside of the SM and CU it could only be a damage limitation exercise, there are no viable solutions around that. Nothing and nobody could change that no matter how hard they worked. This is highlighted by the way that various Brexit supporters, like Sunak and Raab, have extolled the benefits for NI of still being in the SM. No trade deals, including one with the USA, taken all together can come anywhere near replacing trade losses caused by… Read more »
There are no benifits for Brexit in now or in the future
If we gain independence – we can put it to the people again.