Senedd votes to withhold consent to part of a UK trade agreement bill
Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter
The Senedd voted to withhold consent to part of a UK trade agreement bill due to the “threat” posed to Wales’ constitutional principles and devolution settlement.
Mick Antoniw raised concerns about the Trade bill, which aims to ensure the UK complies with the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
Wales’ constitution minister warned that clause two of the bill – on product conformity checks – undermines the devolution settlement and allows the UK Government to act unilaterally.
Mr Antoniw, who is also counsel general, the Welsh Government’s chief legal adviser, said UK ministers maintain that clause two falls within powers reserved to Westminster.
He told MSs: “There is a principle at stake, the principle that implementation of international obligations in devolved areas is for the devolved institutions and not the UK Government.”
‘Disregard’
Luke Fletcher, Plaid Cymru’s shadow economy minister, raised concerns about the number of legislative consent motions (LCMs) coming before the Senedd in recent years.
He said: “The increasing use of LCMs by the UK Government … speaks to their disregard for the devolved administrations, as well as their damaging centralising agenda.”
Mr Fletcher criticised the CPTPP trade agreement, warning that it is a poor replacement for previous EU trading arrangements that will lead to increased greenhouse gas emissions.
He pointed to the example of tariffs being lifted on palm oil imports, “which will have devastating consequences for deforestation and biodiversity, globally”.
Mr Fletcher added: “The partnership also includes a number of countries that have poor records on human rights, and the agreement has pitiful provisions on labour.”
‘Crucial importance’
Huw Irranca-Davies, who chairs the Senedd’s legislation committee, welcomed engagement between the Welsh and UK governments even though they were ultimately unable to agree.
Mr Irranca-Davies backed the Welsh Government making representations on international obligations, saying: “This is of crucial importance and interest to this Senedd.”
The Labour backbencher, who represents Ogmore, urged Welsh ministers to build on the approach for future international trade agreements.
Mr Antoniw urged the Senedd to reject clause two but recommended members back clauses three and four on government procurement and geographical indications respectively.
Plaid Cymru voted against both LCMs, which do not bind UK ministers, while the Tories backed both, with the final tallies falling in line with Mr Antoniw’s recommendations.
On the same day, March 12, MSs also agreed to give consent to the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) bill which includes a ban on live export for slaughter.
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Well done Mick Antoniw now talk to your party about how to stop the UK government meddling in our countrys’ affairs permanently or it will just go on and on and on.
So far the devolved Govs have withheld consent to at least 6 bills put before them, and on each occasion the bill was passed in Westminster. The UK Gove have ignored the Sewell convention, and the views of the devolved Govs . The UK Gov have show absolute contempt to Sewell, and the same will happen here. Witholding consent, will achieve as much for the Senedd as a strongly worded letter would. Westminster would reverse devolution if they could, and they care nothing for our opinions.
It is still important for the Senedd to withold consent so that it places a marker that the legislation is an English affair being imposed on Cymru. In the same way, everybody that can afford it should join Yes Cymru. I know the organisation seems to have an inbuilt death wish but the more people join the more it becomes clear that English treatment of Cyru as a colony to be dictated to is unacceptable.
I see your point, but what annoys me is, that the Labour gov here object to this and that, and do nothing substantial to change things. They are happy to go along with this, they endorse this attitude by embracing the union and by telling us how well we are doing from it. Insurance policy anybody, why no legal moves to enforce Sewell, I am sure they would get support from Scotland.
Welsh government could tax a product or make it illegal to sell use or consume in wales just like some drugs can’t they.