LEAVE or remain was still the key question a year on from the refereundum vote which cleared the way for Brexit.
But in Neil Kinnock’s case it was whether to leave or remain watching the British Lions’ crunch match against the All Blacks in New Zealand, which was being shown live on TV at the same time.
In the end, the opening session of the Brexit: One Year On conference at Gwernyfed High School had to be held back while the Labour peer continued watching the gripping first Test in Auckland, which finished in a heavy 30-15 defeat for Warren Gatland’s team.
Once the Lions’ fate looked sealed, Lord Kinnock made the quick trip from his hotel to the drama studio at Gwernyfed School near Hay-on-Wye where proceedings got under way 25 minutes later than the billed 10am start on Saturday.
As it turned out there was a good turnout for the event which featured top political speakers.
Mid and West Wales Assembly Member Eluned Morgan was joined by speakers from different political parties as they debated the way forward as Wales and the UK leave the European Union.
Sir Keir Starmer MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the EU opened the morning session with Article 50 author Lord John Kerr and Lord Kinnock, a former Vice President of the European Commission.
Answering questions from the audience, the panel focused on what is possible in the current Brexit talks as well as the impact on them of the recent General Election.
Welsh Finance Cabinet Secretary Mark Drakeford discussed how to secure the best future for Wales and what Brexit might mean for the nation. Other well-attended sessions during the day included a look at the effect of Brexit on women with Joyce Watson AM, Cerys Furlong of Chwarae Teg and Plaid Cymru’s John Osmond,
Powys councillor William Powell, with Lord Lipsey and the GMB union’s Mike Payne, looked at removing red tape, and there was also a discussion of Fake News and the future of democracy.
Ms Morgan said: “I’m tremendously grateful to all those who came along to speak as well as to take part in some fascinating discussions.
“Earlier in the week I spoke to people at Llanelli market who were still incredibly clear that they voted to leave and expect to see this carried through.
“It’s up to Labour to hold the UK government to account as to how this is done in a way that meets those concerns. Part of that will be to make sure we have a Brexit that puts jobs and the economy first. The recent election showed that’s what people rightly worry about.
“Neither they nor I have the confidence that the Tories can deliver on that on their own.”