Wales vows to FIGHT for same Brexit deal as Northern Ireland: ‘We expect the same offer’
THE First Minister of Wales has demanded the same Brexit deal as Northern Ireland in a row over special treatment.
Welsh leader Carwyn Jones accused the government of putting Northern Ireland before the rest of the UK as he demanded to stay in the Single Market.
Members of the European Parliament were this morning informed that Britain had agreed a deal with the EU on the border that would effectively keep Northern Ireland in the Single Market and Customs Union.
The Government had been told it would need to make progress on the issue of the Irish border by the time of the December Brexit talks in order to begin negotiating a trade deal.
However leaders in Wales accused the Government of playing favourites after details of the arrangement emerged.
Related articles
Mr Jones said: “We cannot allow different parts of the UK to be more favourably treated than others.
“If one part of the UK is granted continued participation in the Single Market & Customs Union, then we fully expect to be made the same offer.”
His comments came after Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood also demanded an extension of Northern Ireland’s “special deal”.
She wrote on Twitter: “A hard border at Holyhead would be a disaster for the Welsh economy. UK Govt is ignoring the Welsh national interest.
Getty
“Any special deal must be available to Wales and Scotland too.
“The Welsh Government must fight for this.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also called for the deal to be extended to their regions.
SNP leader Mr Sturgeon said: “If one part of UK can retain regulatory alignment with EU and effectively stay in the single market (which is the right solution for Northern Ireland) there is surely no good practical reason why others can’t.”
Getty
Getty
The London mayor tweeted: “Huge ramifications for London if Theresa May has conceded that it's possible for part of the UK to remain within the single market & customs union after Brexit.
“Londoners overwhelmingly voted to remain in the EU and a similar deal here could protect tens of thousands of jobs.”
However the announcement prompted rancour from Theresa May’s allies in the DUP, whose votes are propping up the Conservative Party’s minority government.
Leader Arlene Foster said the party would not accept a deal that separated Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK.
It has been speculated that a phone call between Mrs Foster and the Prime Minister in the middle of her lunch with Jean-Claude Juncker this afternoon may have put the brakes on a deal.
Mr Juncker has told reporters there are a few things left to iron out, but a deal is expected in the coming days.
