Plaid Cymru renews call to rejoin European Single Market and Customs Union
Both the Labour and Conservative parties have been accused of being “joined in a complicity of silence” over the economic harm of Brexit.
The observation was made by Plaid Cymru Westminster Leader Liz Saville Roberts, who has today (26 May) reiterated her party’s commitment to rejoining the Single Market and Customs Union, claiming that Brexit is “wrecking” the economy.
The MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd said that there is “clear and growing public support for closer ties with the EU” but criticised Labour and the Tories for their silence on the matter.
‘Beggars belief’
Ahead of a campaign visit to Seiont Nurseries, plant wholesalers outside Caernarfon, Ms Saville Roberts said that it “beggars belief” that the impact of Brexit is ignored by the two main parties in this election.
A recent report by Cambridge Econometrics, and commissioned by the London Assembly, calculated that the average UK resident was nearly £2,000 worse off in 2023 because of Brexit.
Neil Alcock, managing director of Seiont Nurseries, added that the Tories’ decision to pull out of the single market had made exports to Ireland “almost impossible”.
He criticised both Labour and the Tories for being “blind to the impact of Brexit on businesses”, and thanked Plaid Cymru for “speaking on behalf of businesses”.
‘Hard truth
Ms Saville Roberts said: “This election is about one thing: the economy. And we need to face a hard truth—Brexit is wrecking it.
“The average UK resident was nearly £2,000 worse off in 2023 as a result of Brexit. It beggars belief that a crucial election will ignore that reality.
“There is a clear and growing public support for closer ties with the EU, but both Conservatives and Labour are joined in a complicity of silence.
“Plaid Cymru isn’t scared of telling it as it is. The evidence is clear: Brexit isn’t working. It has caused inflation to skyrocket, import costs to surge, and critical sectors like the NHS, hospitality, and tourism to suffer severe worker shortages.
“Plaid Cymru has a clear plan to address Brexit’s failures. We will tackle worker shortages and skill gaps by attracting and retaining talent in key sectors. We will cut red tape on food products to ease trade and reduce costs. We will restore control over post-Brexit funding to the Senedd, ensuring Wales has the resources it needs.
“We will forge the closest possible ties with Europe, reaffirming our commitment to strong relationships. And crucially, we will push to rejoin the Single Market and Customs Union, reviving our economy and putting money back in Welsh pockets.
“Plaid Cymru believes EU membership was—and remains—in the best interest of Wales. But this isn’t about re-running the Brexit referendum – it’s about undoing economic damage and securing a prosperous future. That’s why we must urgently re-enter the Single Market and Customs Union.
“In this election in Wales, the choice is clear. For honest politics and practical solutions to the problems in our economy – vote Plaid Cymru.”
‘Self-destructive’
Neil Alcock, Managing Director at Seiont Nurseries, near Caernarfon, added: “Pulling out of our biggest export market was one of the most self-destructive decisions made by the Tories in Westminster. Our sales in Wales are thriving, but Brexit has made exports to Ireland – our nearest neighbours – nearly impossible.
“The introduction of the 5-times delayed border control for imports will lead to additional costs, some of which are still unknown. This is causing delays and trucks that are standing still, which costs us money. The upcoming 12 months are set to be very challenging for businesses like ours.
“This election is all about the economy, but both Labour and the Tories are blind to the impact of Brexit on businesses. I’m glad that Liz Saville Roberts and Plaid Cymru are speaking on behalf of businesses like ours and taking a pragmatic view. Rejoining the single market is the common-sense approach and in all our interests.”
Drawing closer
Labour has insisted it will not rejoin the customs union or single market if elected, however last month it floated the possibility of drawing closer to Europe on key foreign and security issues, suggesting it could seek to attend meetings of the monthly EU foreign affairs council.
In September last year, Sir Keir Starmer insisted there was no case for rejoining the European Union following criticism from Tory Ministers after suggesting his party did not want to “diverge” from the bloc’s regulations.
Sir Keir told broadcasters: “I have repeatedly said that there’s no case for going back into the EU and that includes the single market and the customs union.”
Support our Nation today
For the price of a cup of coffee a month you can help us create an independent, not-for-profit, national news service for the people of Wales, by the people of Wales.
No other way forward for the UK.
It must be frustrating for Liz to be surrounded by fantasists who occupy a separate reality…
Shut the door after you, a cold draft just passed through here, one of 12% or so…
I voted to remain but naively assumed that, like me, everyone understood that they might lose, and would graciously offer loser’s consent. It mystifies me how politicians (and others) are now openly disregarding a democratic vote because it doesn’t suit them. The EU referendum had a turnout of 72%, and resulted in a ‘leave’ majority of 4%. It’s worth remembering that Wales’s devolution referendum in 1997 yielded a turnout of 50.22%, with a ‘yes’ majority of 0.6%: I don’t remember any calls to overturn that result. Anyone who only wants democracy applied when it suits them has no right to… Read more »
Due to the likelihood of mortality increasing with age, people turning eighteen becoming eligible to vote and older voters being more likely to vote Leave than younger ones by the time we actually left the EU a majority supported Remain. It’s not relevant that 72% voted in the referendum if there is a general wish for change then either we take steps to realise that change or let the dead dictate the lives of the living. ” I don’t remember any calls to overturn that result [ setting up the Welsh Assembly]. ” Really a political party was set and… Read more »
To vote to leave never included leaving the single market and customs union. In fact Nigel Farage et al were telling us that ‘we could be like Norway’. Yet as soon as the referendum went their way they changed their tune. “Support a hard Brexit or your against what the British people voted for,” thats what I find undemocratic.
In regards to the comparison to the devolution referendum, the conservatives included the option of abolishing the Assembly in their 2005 manifesto.
Quote below attributed to Adrian regarding the Wales’s devolution referendum, 1997. “I don’t remember any calls to overturn that result?” Actually you are wrong. Let me refresh your poor memory. Do read on. Since the winning devolution vote of 1997, the Conservatives , True Wales, Ukip, BNP, Brexit Party & Reform UK have all called for the abolition of devolution and restoration of Whitehall direct rule without a referendum. You also highlighted how the Welsh devolution vote was only won by 50.22%, with a ‘yes’ majority of 0.6%, therefore implied that it lacked legitimacy. May I refer you to Brexiteer… Read more »
Fully understand your sentiment & your correct when stating your figures Adrian but the circumstances around the referendum leave a rather bad smell I’m afraid. First of all it was only meant as an “advisory referendum” where the mood of the country could be gauged & then debated ( or not ) at parliamentary level. This then somehow morphed into ” the will of the people”. Then came the blatant lies, “we’ll remain part of the customs union”, “oven ready deal”, ” no customs border between Northern Ireland & the Republic of Ireland”, “£350 per week for hospitals etc” the… Read more »
There you have it. Straight from the Labour leaders mouth: Labour has no interest in the economic well-being of Wales. It is only interested in England and English issues and it has always has been. Is Welsh Labour fighting the UK for the additional rail funding from the English only HS2 project? NO Is it fighting the UK for economic rights over our coastlines, so we can benefit from offshore wind farms? NO. There are some Labour MPs that even oppose this and even devolved Law, justice and police powers. Welsh Labour did (and has) not even fought for Port… Read more »
I would happily take a chance on Plaid, but I’m afraid that I cannot vote for anyone who’s so stupid, or so delusional, as to believe that humans can change sex.
So which party has policies like Plaid Cymru’s that would make you happy to vote for them and also don’t “believe that humans can change sex.”?
Firstly: Plaid don’t believe in the ability to change sex. That’s a misrepresentation of their views. Gender is a factually distinct thing to sex and we would all do better not to conflate them. Secondly: Are you letting a fringe issue get in the way of voting for your own best interests? This is exactly what conservatives have been trying to achieve by constantly banging on about gender issues! Transgender issues don’t have a meaningful negative effect on our lives. Putting this issue equal with the governments awful management of international trade (and virtually everything else) is laughable.
I empathise with Plaid’s Liz Saville Roberts. Brexit is like witnessing a car crash in slow motion. 🙄
We really shouldn’t be talking about re-joining the EU. It’s much too early. Until the damage to living standards and the economy has become disastrous and undeniable we will still have Leave supporters gaslighting the public claiming that all will be fine and we just have to see it through. Does anyone really want the headlines taken over by Farage and Tory ERG fantasist liars again, day after day? Wales voted to leave and that vote must be respected. That is democracy. People knew what they were voting for and it is to the credit of the people of Wales… Read more »
“Wales voted to leave and that vote must be respected. That is democracy. “
Democracy isn’t a moment in time. It’s always with us.
I don’t see a virtue in being masochistic in adhering forever to a result on 23rd June 2016.
Respect is something we should give people that make personal sacrifices for others not for those who put a cross in a box under zero duress.
Respect for the result of the Referendum has been given, the result was not overturned, the UK is no longer a member of the EU.
Nobody is suggesting that the country adheres forever to a 2016 vote to leave the EU. I don’t know where you get that idea from. I said it’s too early. Professor John Curtiss suggests a new referendum could come before 2040. As the very vociferous claim in 2016 was that people knew what they were voting for, they would obviously have been aware of the likely damage to their own futures, as I was, and yet a majority still put a cross in the ‘Leave’ box. That did require an acceptance of probable personal sacrifice (they would be poorer). With… Read more »
” Professor John Curtiss suggests a new referendum could come before 2040.” Well we’re before 2040 now! The “could” makes 2040 look like crystal ball gazing anyway. Whatever he’s based 2040 on I doubt if it’s “respect” for the result of the 2016 referendum. I don’t think the vast majority of Leave voters sacrificed anything. They may be poorer but the sacrifice was in the sense that the put their money (and Remain voters money) on a mystery horse ridden by a rider of unknown ability in an imagined flat race rather than what was the Grand national. Oh and they… Read more »
With people like Michael Heseltine and Ken Clarke , 2 highly thought of Thatcherite Torys, within and outside the Tory party, claiming Brexit has been disastrous for Britain, and even Farage and Rees-Mogg claiming it to be a failure, all economic indicators showing adverse effects to the economy, how can the UK Gov not want to reverse Brexit fully, or even partially. Regarding the vote and the ” will of the people” , are voters not allowed to have a change of mind, once the lies have been exposed that persuaded them to vote leave. £350 million a week for… Read more »
Sorry to put a blast of realism into this discussion, but any change to the current status of Brexit, like rejoining the Customs Union, isn’t in the hands of anyone in the UK, let alone our politicians. I don’t think there is any appetite amongst European leaders to allow the UK to back track one millimetre on the Brexit agreement. The UK wanted to leave the EU project to govern mostly for ordinary people, and allow the rich and privileged to run the UK for themselves. The UK are seen as traitors, and are not welcome to return.
The conditions under which Brexit exists are being discussed and acted on already. Brexit was only about the UK being a member of the EU or not. The members of the EU will look favourably on new conditions if they benefit members. Rejoining the EU is a different matter. I can’t see EU members seriously considering it unless the UK agreed to join the Euro and Shengen Area and lost the rebate the UK used to receive. And of course they’d have to be confident that we wouldn’t spit the dummy out again which would likely involve the UK evolving… Read more »
You talk about realism and then you say that the UK are seen as “traitors”. That is Brexity language and simply not true. The first step would be to apply to join EFTA, which is where we should have landed up if the Remain voters had not been completely ignored. Inclusivity of the electorate was not on the agenda for the Tory Brexiters whose idea of democracy was winner-takes-all, so long as they were the winners. They only cared about their own ambitions. Nothing has changed there and that’s why the Tories must first go. Once their toxic politics has… Read more »
Has she forgotten that Wales voted to leave her beloved eu?
I voted Remain but the Leave vote won and thats democracy in action, it had to be implemented. Having said that much has changed in Wales and the UK since 2016 so maybe it is now time for another referendum on rejoining single market etc.
What she said wasn’t about re-joining the EU in the short term, it was about having a better trade relationship with the EU through the membership of the single market. Most people voting didn’t want the extreme sort of Brexit that was delivered.
LSR and Plaid can say what ever they like because they know that there is zero chance of what they are proposing will happen- They will at best have 3 MPs out of 650 odd so they are an irrelevance and everyone knows it.
I think 🤔 most of us would wish to hear the from the real Grayham Jones again – a simple set of opinions but always polite and well meant .
Not much in the way of signs of a return of common sense or intellect being applied to the subject. Only a few voices, Liz among them, are clear and honest…
The more Liz speaks out the better, if the partially deaf, cannot pick out the birdsong from the background BS clutter then that is their intellectual failure…
Sure, Wales voted for Brexit along with England, and democracy demanded that the Russian-backed referendum be respected. In 2019 the Tories won a vaguely democratic election, and that vote had to be respected. But it doesn’t mean that these decisions are valid in perpetuity does it? Otherwise we’d still have a Liberal government in London.
As someone who in principle unhesitatingly agrees with what Ms Saville Roberts is arguing, and who equally unhesitatingly voted ‘remain’ back in 2016, even so I disagree with her on this. I don’t at all doubt that quite a few people who backed ‘leave’ in the referendum are now doubting the wisdom of the choice which they made. But the fact remains that most folk in Wales who did vote in the referendum backed ‘leave’, and while many of them may well now be questioning the wisdom of the choice which they then made, such polling evidence as currently exists… Read more »
“As long as that remains the case, all attempts to re-open the issue around Britain’s membership of the EU are in my view likely to be hopelessly divisive.”
In my view re-opening the issue is less divisive than the original process was because,
-It wouldn’t be about rejoining the EU.
-For most voters having cake and eating it fantasies have been replaced with the reality of the lived experience.
‘It wouldn’t be about rejoining the EU.’ Indeed it wouldn’t – not least because the EU and its member states wouldn’t remotely countenance any bid to ‘rejoin’ unless they were convinced that there was now a fixed political consensus in the UK in favour of doing so – and of course they’re aware that there isn’t. But ‘reopening’ the issue of the UK’s relationship with the EU would immediately be depicted as a disguised, clandestine and ‘undemocratic’ bid by ‘remoaners’ to rejoin, and the whole vituperative controversy would resume. ‘For most voters having cake and eating it fantasies have been… Read more »
We seem to be agreeing on most things.
I think human nature being what it is if a critical mass of Leave voters have a face saving way of ,if not supporting closer links for economic reasons then grudgingly accepting that they are necessary then it can happen.
In my view it needs to be up for discussion even if a significant number of Leave voters are still in denial.
However based on what we’ve written we’re probably not at the moment inclined to court those people with a way with which they can save face!
This is an issue that goes right to the heart of why mr keir starmer is unfit to be prime minister and how the people of Cymru, Yr Alban, Gogledd Iwerddon and even lloegr deserve so much better! While mr keir starmer was brexit minister under Jeremy Corbyn, it was starmer unilaterally announcing that labour should back a second referendum on brexit with remain being an option, this ended up being labour policy. In fact the only difference between the manifestos of 2017 and 2019 was that in 2017 the result was respected but 2019 a second referendum! Since becoming… Read more »
Judging by the amount of comments on here this is still a big issue no matter how the Tories and Labour try to bury it. There is no getting around the fact that Brexit has been a complete failure and any future government should begin talks with the EU for closer ties and a possible re-entry in the near future. Due to the bad taste of this endeavour it’s going to take some time for the other members of the EU to trust us again, but our children deserve a better future so burying heads in the ground is not… Read more »
To those people who say that Plaid are going against what the electorate had voted for: Leave campaigners prior to the referendum were constantly telling us that ‘We can be like Norway’ where the UK would be out of the EU but still in the Single Market and Customs Union. Yet as soon as the referendum went their way they acted as though as if the leave was a mandate for the hardest Brexit possible. Plaid are not looking to re-join the EU, what they are advocating for is actually what the Welsh people voted for in 2016. It is… Read more »