A bill to prevent what Labour Ministers called a “Whitehall power-grab” has been passed today – despite opposition from Welsh Conservative AMs.
The bill had been described by the Leader of the Welsh Conservatives – Andrew RT Davies – as a “complete waste of time”, with its proponents accused of grandstanding.
David Melding, the former Deputy Presiding Officer and a constitutional affairs expert, had warned that the Continuity Bill risked undermining ongoing negotiations with the UK Government.
He said:
“The Continuity Bill is an unnecessary and unhelpful sideshow which risks undermining the ongoing negotiations with the UK Government.
“It was a parody from the start, with members unable to scrutinise its passage through the Assembly in anything like a proper fashion.
“The UK Government has delivered a considerable and reasonable offer to deliver a smooth and orderly departure from the EU for the whole of the UK.
“Sadly, the Welsh Government allowed itself to be carried away by the SNP on a nationalist whim – instead of acting in the national interest.
“I remain hopeful that an agreement will be reached between the devolved administrations and the UK Government, so that we can put this bogus Bill behind us.
“Fortunately, our constitution allows us to repeal this unnecessary legislation from the statute book once that agreement has been reached.”