In his first blog for Caerphilly Observer, UKIP’s South Wales East AM, Mark Reckless, discusses the local effects of triggering Article 50.
Great opportunities
Both Parliament and the Assembly have recently been debating triggering Article 50 to leave the European Union. There has been much news coverage of this. What I feel has been lacking has been a clear explanation of what all the debate means for Wales and for Caerphilly.
Caerphilly has been in receipt of EU structural funds, money transferred from the EU to the Caerphilly area. Many on the Remain side of the argument claimed this was great for Caerphilly.
However, these funds were simply some British money coming back to Wales via Brussels, with European officials taking their cut on the way.
This is no excuse for trying to stall or stop the Brexit process. Seven of Labour’s Welsh MPs and 52 from Labour in all voted against triggering Article 50. Wales’ First Minister could only bring himself and his Labour AMs to note the triggering of Article 50 rather than supporting it.
It’s time we now got on with leaving the EU. We don’t want to fight the battles of the referendum over and over again, 57% of Caerphilly voters and 53% of Welsh voters gave their support to Brexit. My efforts now are focused on making sure we seize the great opportunities Brexit presents to Wales and to Caerphilly. The sooner we leave the EU, the sooner we will see the benefits.
I am leading my Assembly committee’s inquiry regarding the effects of Brexit on Welsh farmers, the environment and rural affairs. We hope to conclude the inquiry shortly and I am excited about what we may be able to do, since the EU has hoarded decision making power in this area for many years.
The return of these powers to the Assembly is a welcome opportunity to ease the burden of cumbersome EU regulation on Wales and business in Caerphilly. I will also work to ensure that Wales and Caerphilly are treated fairly when it comes to redistributing the funds which we used to send to the EU.
Brexit will be a positive transformation for Wales.
Mark is exactly right, despite both sides of the referendum debate being given months to campaign for their preference, the remain lobby seems to think that because the vote was contrary to their wishes they can now
re-fight the battle.
The vote was clear, particularly in Caerffili, and now we must move on. I
believe there is now a brighter future for Wales and Great Britain. Let’s get
on with it, at least we will now be able to vote out incompetent law makers
now. This is a democratic right we have been denied for 43 years.
Yes,I agree it’s time to look at the positive opportunities for Wales and the UK and adopt a “Can do” attitude.
All the negativity is doing harm .