LAST Wednesday was a momentous day, when the Prime Minister Theresa May officially triggered Article 50 by sending a letter informing the European Council and its president Donald Tusk of Britain’s intention to leave the European Union.

For those of us who campaigned wholeheartedly to remain - and indeed for the majority of constituents in Penarth and Cardiff South who voted to stay in the EU - it was a day and a moment that brought nothing but deep concern and trepidation at what may lie ahead.

Whatever happens, I will continue to fight for the best for Penarth, Cardiff, Wales, and the whole of the UK – because I genuinely believe that a hard Brexit is going to put our union and our economy at risk.

The prime minister came to the Commons to make her statement on the activation of Article 50, and the subsequent process of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, on Wednesday.

I and my colleagues listened, debated and discussed – and we were left with the firm belief that the statement contained little but meaningless and incoherent rhetoric, which the prime minister used to cover up the naive and misguided approach she and her Government are taking.

She has set out a reckless plan for Brexit and at the moment she is putting both the unity of the country and our economy at risk by ruling out, for example, our future access to the single market, the customs union, and many other things.

I’ve written before on my deep concern about the prospects for Wales, as the Government starts the negotiations. Still Theresa May has not provided any guarantees on funding for Wales, any guarantees that Wales will not be left worse, and no idea of whether the Government will make up the inevitable shortfall that will come through the loss of EU funding for projects in Wales.

Neither has she given any guarantees about the status of EU nationals currently living and working in the UK.

For all these reasons and more, I and other Welsh Labour MPs will be holding her to account in the weeks and months to come.

Whether we voted leave or remain, whether our constituencies voted leave or remain - it’s our job to scrutinise the Government and make sure that wherever we end up in a few years’ time, it’s with the best deal we can get for the people of Wales and the UK.