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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Coalition partners ease power row | Coalition partners ease power row |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Labour and Plaid Cymru appear to have settled their differences after a row which at one stage seemed to threaten their Welsh assembly coalition. | Labour and Plaid Cymru appear to have settled their differences after a row which at one stage seemed to threaten their Welsh assembly coalition. |
| Their leaders issued a joint emergency statement after earlier warnings that the coalition was at risk of collapse. | Their leaders issued a joint emergency statement after earlier warnings that the coalition was at risk of collapse. |
| That followed a Labour statement ruling out progress on a referendum to give the assembly full law-making powers before the UK general election. | That followed a Labour statement ruling out progress on a referendum to give the assembly full law-making powers before the UK general election. |
| But Rhodri Morgan and Ieuan Wyn Jones said "all options" on timing were open. | But Rhodri Morgan and Ieuan Wyn Jones said "all options" on timing were open. |
| Their statement added that these included "if... practical", an autumn referendum. | |
| Earlier, senior Plaid sources had called the Labour news release which began the row the most serious threat to the coalition since its formation in 2007. | Earlier, senior Plaid sources had called the Labour news release which began the row the most serious threat to the coalition since its formation in 2007. |
| The party described it as a "serious breach of trust" and "completely unacceptable". | The party described it as a "serious breach of trust" and "completely unacceptable". |
| A senior Plaid source had 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 Plaid source had 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 response 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 response 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 always said they are committed to holding a poll, if it is winnable, by May 2011. | Welsh ministers have always 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. |
| It 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. | It 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. |
| All options for the timing of a referendum remain open... nothing has been ruled in or ruled out, including, if it proved practical, a referendum in the autumn Later joint statement by Rhodri Morgan and Ieuan Wyn Jones | All options for the timing of a referendum remain open... nothing has been ruled in or ruled out, including, if it proved practical, a referendum in the autumn Later joint statement by Rhodri Morgan and Ieuan Wyn Jones |
| "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." |
| Mr Morgan is stepping down as Welsh Labour leader and first minister next month, with his successor to be announced on 1 December. | Mr Morgan is stepping down as Welsh Labour leader and first minister next month, with his successor to be announced on 1 December. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Hour-long meeting | Hour-long meeting |
| "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." | "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. | 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. |
| Plaid Cymru AM Dai Lloyd told Mr Morgan in the Senedd chamber: "Can I assure you, first minister, that Plaid Cymru will not let Labour drag its feet on this". | Plaid Cymru AM Dai Lloyd told Mr Morgan in the Senedd chamber: "Can I assure you, first minister, that Plaid Cymru will not let Labour drag its feet on this". |
| Mr Morgan replied that moves towards a referendum had to work around the general election, expected in May or June. | Mr Morgan replied that moves towards a referendum had to work around the general election, expected in May or June. |
| An emergency joint statement from Mr Morgan and Mr Jones was then issued, shortly after AMs had finished discussing the convention report, and the coalition disarray over the possible date of a referendum. | An emergency joint statement from Mr Morgan and Mr Jones was then issued, shortly after AMs had finished discussing the convention report, and the coalition disarray over the possible date of a referendum. |
| The statement said: "The assembly government once again reaffirms its commitment to the 'One Wales' (coalition) agreement in relation to a referendum on 'part four powers' (under the Government of Wales Act 2006). | The statement said: "The assembly government once again reaffirms its commitment to the 'One Wales' (coalition) agreement in relation to a referendum on 'part four powers' (under the Government of Wales Act 2006). |
| "Both parties recognise the difficulties which would be created for a purposeful and united 'Yes' campaign, if that were attempted to be held during the run up to a general election. | "Both parties recognise the difficulties which would be created for a purposeful and united 'Yes' campaign, if that were attempted to be held during the run up to a general election. |
| "Both recognise that a successful 'Yes' campaign will rest on mobilising support from all political parties in Wales, and from those who have no political affiliation. | "Both recognise that a successful 'Yes' campaign will rest on mobilising support from all political parties in Wales, and from those who have no political affiliation. |
| "Otherwise, all options for the timing of a referendum remain open. | "Otherwise, all options for the timing of a referendum remain open. |
| "Nothing has been ruled in or ruled out, including, if it proved practical, a referendum in the autumn." | "Nothing has been ruled in or ruled out, including, if it proved practical, a referendum in the autumn." |