No-Deal Brexit disastrous for North Wales – First Minister

He will be addressing the Deeside Business Forum’s Brexit Business conference at Theatr Clwyd.

Ahead of the event Mark Drakeford said:

“We are at a critical point in the Brexit process and the message from the Welsh Government is clear, a no-deal Brexit is wholly unacceptable and must be ruled out as an option.

“Manufacturing is of critical importance to Deeside.  Airbus alone employs 6,000 people, Toyota 600 and their suppliers thousands more.  As Airbus and many others have made clear, a no deal outcome – which would seriously disrupt supply chains – would be disastrous.  

“It is clear that a no-deal Brexit would be hugely damaging on North Wales, and must be avoided at all costs.

“But we also need a deal which gives business the long-term certainty it needs.  Not one, like the UK Government’s that only postpones, not removes the threat of the cliff-edge.

“The root of the problem isn’t the EU but the refusal of the UK Government to commit to continued participation in the Single Market and Customs Union, a form of Brexit the EU would have preferred if it had not been for the Prime Minister’s red lines.

“Our message to the UK Government is clear, rub out the red lines, go back to the drawing board in terms of the long-term relationship and provide the certainty business needs.”