“We deserve nothing less” Plaid Cymru debate calls for UK to re-join single market

“When it comes to tackling the current cost-of-living crisis, no solution should be off the table”

Plaid Cymru is bringing a debate to the Senedd today (Wednesday 6 July) calling for the United Kingdom to re-join the single market to boost trade and opportunities.

Leaving the single market and customs union is costing the UK billions in lost trade and tax revenues, and thousands of households in Wales are already struggling with the rising cost of living.

Plaid Cymru’s economy spokesperson Luke Fletcher MS says that “when it comes to tackling the current cost-of-living crisis, no solution should be off the table.”

The OBR (Office for Budget Responsibility) forecasts that both exports and imports will be around 15% lower in the long run than if the UK remained in the EU and have also concluded that new trade deals with non-EU countries will not have a material impact

Wales’ greater dependency on trade with the EU has meant that its economy has suffered more from the economic slump associated with the new barriers.

However, Welsh Labour has put in an amendment which ‘deletes all’ of the Plaid Cymru motion and replaces it with the hope that the UK has the “closest possible” trade with the EU, but stops short of explaining how this will work outside of joining the single market.

Plaid Cymru’s economy spokesperson Luke Fletcher MS said:

“Too many people in Wales are struggling to pay for anything but the essentials – and some are already having to choose between heating and eating.

“Leaving the single market has cost the UK billions in lost trade and tax revenues, and Wales’ greater dependency on trade with the EU has meant our economy has suffered more.

“Meanwhile, the Tories have no interest in the plight of those who are struggling with soaring energy and food costs, UK Labour’s plan offers no real opposition, and Welsh Labour need to make their position clear – if they really want the ‘closest possible’ trade with the EU, then why does their amendment delete our motion in its entirety?

“This isn’t about fighting the old battles over the referendum result, but this is about having a grown-up conversation about our future trading relationship with our nearest neighbours.

“When it comes to tackling the current cost-of-living crisis, no solution should be off the table, and the option of re-joining the single market and customs union to boost trade and opportunities is more than worthy of discussion. In fact, we deserve nothing less.”