Carwyn Jones: Theresa May 'has no interest in Wales'
Wales' First Minister says Brexit shouldn't mean the UK "takes leave of its senses", adding the nation is more divided than ever.
Tuesday 24 January 2017 09:07, UK
The First Minister for Wales, Carwyn Jones has warned that the United Kingdom has never been more divided, insisting that Theresa May has no interest in Wales.
Mr Jones told Sky News that he found David Cameron easier to deal with on both a personal and professional level.
He said: "I found David Cameron far more forthcoming and he took more interest in Wales. Theresa May, much less so.
"When we saw the first problems with Tata, David Cameron and I spoke regularly. Theresa May and I have never spoken about Tata. I last met her one-to-one in July.
"It is hugely important that she has to take the views of all the governments in the UK. Nobody wants to end up in a fight ... Whitehall and Westminster can't do this by themselves."
Mr Jones will set out Wales' Brexit plan today, along with Plaid Cymru's leader, Leanne Wood.
The pair will offer Mrs May an alternative to leaving the single market.
Instead, Mr Jones will suggest that people can move freely within the UK if they are employed. If they lose their job they will have a certain amount of time to find a new one, before being asked to leave.
The white paper, to be published today, will outline Wales' immigration needs, as well as protecting its key industries, such as agriculture, research, education and health.
Mr Jones told Sky News: "The UK is going to leave the EU, but it doesn't mean the UK has to take leave of its senses.
"Let's not kid ourselves that the UK is completely united. It is more divided than it has ever been.
"I don't just mean between the nations of the UK, but divisions among those in society, between young and old. I have never seen anything like it."
Last week Mrs May set out her plan for leaving the European Union, with a 12-point negotiating strategy.
Those points included a free trade agreement, strengthening the union between the four nations of the United Kingdom and controlling immigration.
She also warned that she would be willing to walk away from the negotiating table if it came to it.
Mr Jones said he didn't feel that the speech explained a great deal.
He told Sky News: "When she said 'no deal is better than a bad deal', that was the most ridiculous thing that I have ever heard."
Mr Jones said the worst outcome of leaving the European Union would be to trigger independence in Wales, although he pointed out that he wouldn't personally support it.
He also said he didn't think it feasible for Wales to remain in the single market with England leaving.
A Downing Street spokesperson said: "The Prime Minister has made it absolutely clear that the preservation of our precious union is at the heart of everything we do.
"She demonstrated her commitment to Wales when she visited Cardiff to meet Carwyn Jones within a week of entering No10, stressing how she wanted the Welsh Government to be involved and engaged in the discussions we are having about our exit from the European Union."