‘Rishi Sunak’s disregard for Welsh ports speaks volumes’ says Plaid Westminster leader
Plaid Cymru’s Westminster leader has hit out at Rishi Sunak’s suggestion that the decline in trade via Holyhead after Brexit was inevitable saying his “disregard for Welsh ports speaks volumes”.
When pressed by Liz Saville Roberts MP on the adverse impact of post-Brexit trade rules on trade between Holyhead and Dublin, the Prime Minister said “it was always going to be the case after we left the European Union that sending things to the European Union from the UK would be different”.
Ms Saville Roberts pointed out that pre-Brexit, 30% of the trade from Holyhead to Dublin went on to Northern Ireland.
She asked the Prime Minister whether, by formalising the green lane arrangement for goods travelling directly to Northern Ireland, the policy would disadvantage Welsh ports.
Ms Saville Roberts urged the Prime Minister to recognise that UK Government policy now “incentivises hauliers to avoid the Port of Holyhead and to provide economic opportunities to “counterbalance that damage”.
Speaking in the House of Commons on Monday Liz Saville Roberts said: “There is, of course, much to welcome in today’s statement, but I must press the Prime Minister on a specific point.
“In his statement, he casually mentioned the burdens on shipments between Holyhead and Dublin.
“He failed to mention that, pre-Brexit, about 30% of all trade through the port went on to Northern Ireland from Dublin.
“That trade is reorientating as we speak, in real time, aggravating the already devastating impact of Brexit on the port of Holyhead.
“Can the Prime Minister clarify whether this new agreement will guarantee seamless trade between Northern Ireland and Wales via Dublin?
“If not, will he recognise that green lanes will disadvantage Welsh ports?”
Damage
The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak responded: “This is about ensuring the free flow of goods within our United Kingdom, that is what the green lane is there to do.
“It was always going to be the case after we left the European Union that sending things to the European Union from the UK would be different.
“What this agreement is about is prioritising trade within the United Kingdom’s internal market and the green lane that we have delivered through this framework does exactly that.”
Speaking after the session Liz Saville Roberts added: “The Prime Minister’s disregard for Welsh ports speaks volumes.
“Holyhead has been hung out to dry by the UK Government who have no understanding or interest in the large volumes of GB-NI internal UK trade that pre-Brexit went via Dublin.
“The Welsh Government too have been slow to respond to these problems. The Prime Minister should at least recognise that Government policy now incentivises hauliers to avoid the Port of Holyhead and provide economic opportunities to counterbalance that damage.”
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Collateral damage confined to Cymru, I’ve lost count how many PMs’ have suggested Cymru should self-inseminate, ‘For Wales see England’, delete as not needed on this traeth y ffordd bric melyn. This latest incarnation of the Wizard of Oz can only see high rollers and big numbers not society…
This Anglo twerp pretending we are all the same and we are treated all the same. Lying little bigotted rodent.
Do not insult the poor bloody Rodents putting them in the same sentence as the SCUM PARTY
Sunnak reminds me of Roland Rat.
Tory Party betrayed the DUP, threw NI into turmoil for short-term election gain and has consistently ignored Welsh concerns. It’s only going to get worse for us when boundary lines are redrawn here in Cymru.
There’s little we can do except empower ourselves and others through good education, good health and forward thinking.
….and yet many Councillors and MS’s are tripping over their own knickers to get a “Freeport”.
….The “UK” is a f***ing sham, a scam, a grift, an oppressive regime that is crushing the life out of Cymru (STOP CALLING OUR COUNTRY “WALES”!)….How much longer is it going to take for people to realise that they hate us? That they despise us and see us as nothing as yokels, fools and dweebs?
Where’s our damn pride?!
Agree, unfortunately many Cymric people don’t mind it when they get abused by them. They don’t care As long as they get noticed. It’s pathetic!
And yet for some reason you give the English Parliament credence by Taking positions there. Refuse!!!
The cause is not helped by the Senedd’s refusal to recognise tge importance of logistics to international transport. The no new or even improved labour policy on roads will be the final nail in an hope of Wales being a serious trading nation. Sack the lot of them.
No it won’t the only thing holding back wales is that stinking corrupt Westminster and its anti welsh /scottish policies overriding decisions of the devolved governments little englander
“It was always going to be the case after we left the European Union that sending things to the European Union from the UK would be different” – Actually no, that isn’t the case. People voted to leave the EU and not the Single Market and Customs Union. We did not have to leave them – it was Brexit ideological idiots that forced that upon us.
It wasn’t our referendum anyway.
The decision Cymru would remain or leave the EU should reside with our sovereign parliament at Cardiff Bay.
The Green Lane is a joke. What’s to stop goods using this lane – supposedly to Northern Ireland – being taken over the open/uncontrolled border to the Irish Republic? Moreover, the Red Lane will be little used for there is little point in sending goods from Wales and England to the Republic via Northern Ireland – it’s a much shorter and cheaper journey to send them directly to the Republic from Fishguard, Pembroke Dock or Liverpool. Even goods from Scotland can be sent directly from Stranraer to Dublin.
According to Rishi Sunak Northern Ireland is now “the most exciting economic zone in the world!!”
If its good enough for Northern Ireland then its good enough for Wales, Scotland and England.
We must really think and discuss our future as Cymru. The English government is moving away from what we and Scotland really need. What happens if England’s current government or any future regime the English may reelect puts us in position which is damaging to our interests as Celtic nations ? They are currently doing this with Brexit and related Bills in their chamber. What are you going to do about this then ? The ONLY action then is to declare Independent country. Why cannot ‘Welsh Labour’ campaign for independence? A future UK Labour government may give us the opportunity.… Read more »