As an outward-looking nation, Wales has every right to push for closer ties with Europe

Speaking on the 10th anniversary of the Brexit referendum, Plaid Cymru Westminster Leader, Liz Saville Roberts MP said:

“Over the past decade, we have experienced significant political and economic instability, and it is undeniable that Brexit has played a central role in that. The UK’s exit from the European Union was promoted by the likes of Nigel Farage and Boris Johnson as a project to ‘take back control’ and to drive prosperity and better-funded public services. However, those promises certainly have not been realised.  

“The true legacy of Brexit is that households face higher costs for everyday essentials, young people have been locked out of opportunities to study, live and work abroad – narrowing their horizons. At the same time, key industries are being held back due to the increased bureaucracy and red tape. In Wales, we know that Brexit has cost our economy at least £4 billion, with exports falling by £1.1 billion.

"We know the damage, but we also know the solution. Plaid Cymru has long called for closer ties with our European neighbours to secure long-term economic prosperity, a case made all the more urgent amid growing global instability and the unreliability of the United States under Donald Trump’s volatile leadership.

“The UK Government must take decisive action and rejoin the Single Market and the Customs Union as the first steps in repairing the harm caused. As a confident, outward-looking nation, Wales has every reason to push for renewed cooperation with Europe as a foundation for future growth, stability, and prosperity.”