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Coalition 'at risk of collapsing' | Coalition 'at risk of collapsing' |
(30 minutes later) | |
The coalition government between Labour and Plaid Cymru in Wales is in danger of collapsing, BBC Wales understands. | The coalition government between Labour and Plaid Cymru in Wales is in danger of collapsing, BBC Wales understands. |
It follows Labour ruling out any progress towards a referendum on giving the assembly full law-making powers until after the UK general election. | It follows Labour ruling out any progress towards a referendum on giving the assembly full law-making powers until after the UK general election. |
Senior Plaid Cymru sources said this was the most serious threat to the coalition since its formation in 2007. | Senior Plaid Cymru sources said this was the most serious threat to the coalition since its formation in 2007. |
The party called Labour's statement a "serious breach of trust" and "completely unacceptable". | The party called Labour's statement a "serious breach of trust" and "completely unacceptable". |
A senior source said: "There is no way the party would allow its ministers to sit around the table with Labour if this is allowed to stand." | A senior source said: "There is no way the party would allow its ministers to sit around the table with Labour if this is allowed to stand." |
Welsh Labour's Welsh joint policy committee has met, prioritised the need to campaign for a general election victory, and agreed to start considering the All Wales Convention report in detail as a prelude to stepping up wider party consultation with AMs and MPs, councillors, trade unionists and members as soon as the general election is over Welsh Labour statement | Welsh Labour's Welsh joint policy committee has met, prioritised the need to campaign for a general election victory, and agreed to start considering the All Wales Convention report in detail as a prelude to stepping up wider party consultation with AMs and MPs, councillors, trade unionists and members as soon as the general election is over Welsh Labour statement |
Labour's statement was issued at midday on Tuesday as a joint reponse by the Welsh Labour leadership to a report by the All Wales Convention published last week. | Labour's statement was issued at midday on Tuesday as a joint reponse by the Welsh Labour leadership to a report by the All Wales Convention published last week. |
The report was commissioned by the assembly government as a central part of the Labour-Plaid coalition, which was formed in 2007 after the last assembly election. | The report was commissioned by the assembly government as a central part of the Labour-Plaid coalition, which was formed in 2007 after the last assembly election. |
The convention concluded that the assembly should be given full law-making powers in devolved areas through a referendum. | The convention concluded that the assembly should be given full law-making powers in devolved areas through a referendum. |
The report said that a "yes" vote in favour of boosting powers was obtainable in a referendum, but not guaranteed. | The report said that a "yes" vote in favour of boosting powers was obtainable in a referendum, but not guaranteed. |
Welsh ministers have said they are committed to holding a poll, if it is winnable, by May 2011. | Welsh ministers have said they are committed to holding a poll, if it is winnable, by May 2011. |
Legislative powers | Legislative powers |
The statement was issued in the name of Welsh Labour chair Garry Owen, First Minister and Welsh Labour leader Rhodri Morgan, and Welsh Secretary Peter Hain. | The statement was issued in the name of Welsh Labour chair Garry Owen, First Minister and Welsh Labour leader Rhodri Morgan, and Welsh Secretary Peter Hain. |
The statement said: "We welcome the detailed report by the All Wales Convention and reaffirm Welsh Labour's commitment to primary legislative powers for the Welsh assembly and to campaign for these in a successful referendum. | The statement said: "We welcome the detailed report by the All Wales Convention and reaffirm Welsh Labour's commitment to primary legislative powers for the Welsh assembly and to campaign for these in a successful referendum. |
"Because a 'No' vote in a referendum could set back devolution for several decades, triggering the referendum process needs to be based on a firm prospect that public opinion is ready to respond positively in the referendum. | "Because a 'No' vote in a referendum could set back devolution for several decades, triggering the referendum process needs to be based on a firm prospect that public opinion is ready to respond positively in the referendum. |
"Our internal policy process has already begun: Welsh Labour's Welsh joint policy committee has met, prioritised the need to campaign for a general election victory, and agreed to start considering the All Wales Convention report in detail as a prelude to stepping up wider party consultation with AMs and MPs, councillors, trade unionists and members as soon as the general election is over." | "Our internal policy process has already begun: Welsh Labour's Welsh joint policy committee has met, prioritised the need to campaign for a general election victory, and agreed to start considering the All Wales Convention report in detail as a prelude to stepping up wider party consultation with AMs and MPs, councillors, trade unionists and members as soon as the general election is over." |
One Labour AM told BBC Wales: "People are furious and this morning's group meeting was both shocked and angry. | One Labour AM told BBC Wales: "People are furious and this morning's group meeting was both shocked and angry. |
"Rhodri cannot bind his successor [on a referendum]. We could again be seen as being on the back foot and losing public confidence. This cannot be allowed to stand." | "Rhodri cannot bind his successor [on a referendum]. We could again be seen as being on the back foot and losing public confidence. This cannot be allowed to stand." |
In a statement to AMs on the convention later in the afternoon, Mr Morgan said: "The assembly government intends in the new year to bring forward a motion for a full debate on the convention's report. | |
"I am reassured that the convention believes that our 'One Wales' (coalition) agreement to hold a referendum during this assembly is both practical and achievable, but I must leave the details to my successor as first minister." | |
It is understood the wording of Mr Morgan's statement to AMs was agreed in an hour-long meeting between Mr Morgan, and the Plaid leader and Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones in the morning, before the Labour news release was issued. |