Wales REJECTS Plaid Cymru’s bid to hijack Brexit after Ukip brands attempt ‘DISGRACEFUL’

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Andrew Davies, Welsh Conservative leader said Wales MUST back Theresa May

The National party of Wales, Plaid Cymru, proposed the assembly should oppose the start of the Brexit process unless assurances are given over Wales' participation in the single market.

But Assembly Members (Ams) in the Senedd (Welsh parliament) rejected the call – which would have been advisory only.

Labour, Ukip and the Tories voted down the plan with only 10 in favour.

A Conservative effort backing the white paper from the UK government on Brexit got more supporters but also failed – by 17 votes to 38.

A majority of AMs – 38 for and 18 against – backed a Plaid-Labour motion that noted the UK government intended to trigger Article 50 but did not oppose it.

Plaid Cymru’s motion demanded consultation on the Brexit negotiations and any final deal.

Liberal Democrat AM Kirsty Williams voted to oppose the triggering of Article 50.

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Prime Minister Theresa May stands with the First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones AM

There was a key decision made here in Wales and the rest of the UK that needs to be respected

Andrew Davies

The education secretary however, was outvoted.

Andrew RT Davies, Welsh Conservative leader, said: "There was a key decision made here in Wales and the rest of the UK that needs to be respected.

"We as politicians need to enact what the people sent us here to achieve."

Ahead of the debate Ukip called for AMs to "respect the wishes of the Welsh people" calling the Plaid amendment "disgraceful".

In the Supreme Court ruling in January evolved governments were told they had no legal right to be consulted on the triggering of Article 50, which, once triggered, will start the process for the UK to leave the EU.

Wales voted to leave the EU in the UK-wide referendum last June.

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Senedd voted down Plaid Cymru’s motion to oppose Theresa May triggering Article 50

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President of the European Council, Donald Tusk tweets his frustration.

But politicians are calling for continued participation in the single market.

Last week, Plaid Cymru MPs joined SNP and 47 Labour MPs in voting against giving UK government ministers powers to start the process in the Commons.

Leanne Wood, Plaid Cymru leader, told the debate that her party "has refused to give the UK government a blank cheque to trigger article 50".

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Welsh AMs voted down a motion from Plaid Cymru

Ukip group leader Neil Hamilton said Brexit was an "opportunity for us, not a threat".

He added: "It's ours to make the best of or the worst of.

“If we go into the negotiations and we go into the future with the spirit of pessimism… then of course we will not get the best out of it."

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