The Welsh Liberal Democrats have criticised the political declaration on the future relationship between the UK and EU, calling it vague and lacking in substance.

Unlike the Withdrawal Agreement, the political declaration isn’t legally binding. It simply sets out the ambitions and limits of the UK and EU respectively for negotiating the future relationship.

Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds commented:

My expectations for this political declaration were low, but the UK Government have still failed to meet them. The political declaration has plenty of good intentions, but little on how the most important and contentious issues will be resolved in the transition period.

The declaration firmly sets the UK on course for a hard Brexit that will devastate the Welsh economy and destroy countless jobs. A hard Brexit that leaves us as rule takers, not rule makers.

We have led the fight for a People’s Vote for the last two years and we will keep fighting. We know the only satisfactory relationship for the UK and EU after Brexit is a future where the UK is a full, active and leading member of the EU. The people must be given the final say and the opportunity to choose an Exit from Brexit.