IN THE early hours of Tuesday the Government narrowly pushed through their Brexit bill at second reading.

I voted against the Bill, which I believe is a huge minority Government power grab from Wales, Parliament and the people.

I listen closely to the different views of constituents: in the 2016 Referendum (where Cardiff South and Penarth voted 60:40 to Remain); in the result of the General Election this year (where Theresa May’s plan for a hard Brexit was front and centre of her campaign); and in my ongoing conversations with constituents, local businesses and organisations.

I respect all views, and understand why many people voted to Leave (including over immigration policy and other issues, which we need to listen carefully to); but at the same time I do not believe the Government has a clear mandate to pursue the reckless, right-wing hard Brexit they are currently promoting.

I therefore voted against this badly drafted and irresponsible Bill on Monday, and will continue to oppose attempts by this minority Government to force it through with the minimum of scrutiny, whilst giving huge sweeping powers to Ministers to take further decisions on everything from the legal framework to the divorce bill without properly allowing any future scrutiny by Parliament.

Whether you agree with Brexit or not – this is simply not the way to go about it, nor the way to bring the country back together with a compromise or consensus on the way forward.

After the shambolic way in which the Government has handled the summer Brexit negotiations, with time rapidly running out, and with new problems and concerns arising every day, the Government’s Bill as it stands is simply not fit for purpose.

Brexit should not result in any detrimental change to the Devolved Administrations, workers’ rights, equality law, consumer rights or environmental protections, and I will fight against any attempts to diminish, qualify or limit these throughout consideration of this Bill.

These must be protected without qualifications, limitations or “sunset clauses”, and we must also make sure UK rights keep pace with EU rights after Brexit. As the Bill does not currently provide for this, it will be something I will be pressing for.

Along with colleagues I’m therefore tabling amendments to the Bill, to try and ensure that its worst elements are removed, that democratic debate is preserved – and to push to keep open the option of continued membership of the Customs Union and Single Market.