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| Bitter-sweet election for Labour | Bitter-sweet election for Labour |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| It has been a mixed night for Labour in the Welsh assembly election, but the party could still hold onto power. | It has been a mixed night for Labour in the Welsh assembly election, but the party could still hold onto power. |
| With a few results to be declared, the party held off most challenges, but there were gains for the Conservatives and Plaid Cymru. | With a few results to be declared, the party held off most challenges, but there were gains for the Conservatives and Plaid Cymru. |
| Labour is short of an overall majority although by far the largest party. | Labour is short of an overall majority although by far the largest party. |
| The Welsh Liberal Democrats said it was "clear that the people of Wales have decided that no one party should command a majority in the assembly". | The Welsh Liberal Democrats said it was "clear that the people of Wales have decided that no one party should command a majority in the assembly". |
| Shadow Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan MP said the results marked a "fundamental shift in support" for the Welsh Conservatives. | Shadow Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan MP said the results marked a "fundamental shift in support" for the Welsh Conservatives. |
| "People can see that we are working together at all levels of government in the best interests of Wales," she said. | "People can see that we are working together at all levels of government in the best interests of Wales," she said. |
| "Never have we been so united or so optimistic about the future." | "Never have we been so united or so optimistic about the future." |
| First Minister Rhodri Morgan, who had said he would resign if Labour did badly, said the party had "proved the doom-mongers wrong" and "we can hold our heads up high". | First Minister Rhodri Morgan, who had said he would resign if Labour did badly, said the party had "proved the doom-mongers wrong" and "we can hold our heads up high". |
| The 'partnership government' offered clearer direction..than the drift and muddle that have characterised Labour's minority administration Mike German, Welsh Liiberal Democrats | The 'partnership government' offered clearer direction..than the drift and muddle that have characterised Labour's minority administration Mike German, Welsh Liiberal Democrats |
| Mr Morgan said it was a night when Labour "haven't won but haven't exactly lost," but there was "a shade of grey in the middle." | Mr Morgan said it was a night when Labour "haven't won but haven't exactly lost," but there was "a shade of grey in the middle." |
| He said it was a time for discussion within the party and he did not expect anything to emerge until after the bank holiday. | He said it was a time for discussion within the party and he did not expect anything to emerge until after the bank holiday. |
| "I don't think it will be today, the groups have got to get together and discuss the best way forward." | "I don't think it will be today, the groups have got to get together and discuss the best way forward." |
| The Prime Minister Tony Blair said the results were not as bad as many people expected and he had expected to lose some seats. | |
| "In Wales we are going to retain control and be the largest party and be the government," he said. | |
| Plaid leader Ieuan Wyn Jones, who retained his Ynys Mon seat, said: "Indications are that in our target seats we are doing extremely well and were are going to pick up seats. That is excellent news for us." | Plaid leader Ieuan Wyn Jones, who retained his Ynys Mon seat, said: "Indications are that in our target seats we are doing extremely well and were are going to pick up seats. That is excellent news for us." |
| Mr Jones said if no party had a clear majority "we all have a responsibility to look at the results to see if we can put forward a stable government for Wales". | Mr Jones said if no party had a clear majority "we all have a responsibility to look at the results to see if we can put forward a stable government for Wales". |
| Minister Alun Pugh was beaten by Conservative Darren Millar | Minister Alun Pugh was beaten by Conservative Darren Millar |
| He repeated that he would not work under a Tory first minister or prop up a minority Labour one, but added that "if an agreement can be reached I'm ready to speak". | He repeated that he would not work under a Tory first minister or prop up a minority Labour one, but added that "if an agreement can be reached I'm ready to speak". |
| The assembly has its first ethnic minority member. Plaid Cymru's Mohammad Asghar - known affectionately as Oscar - was elected via the South Wales East list. | The assembly has its first ethnic minority member. Plaid Cymru's Mohammad Asghar - known affectionately as Oscar - was elected via the South Wales East list. |
| Mike German, assembly leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats said: "Wales' experience is that stable government is more effective than the alternative. | Mike German, assembly leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats said: "Wales' experience is that stable government is more effective than the alternative. |
| "The 'partnership government' offered clearer direction, and leadership to Wales, than the drift and muddle that have characterised Labour's minority administration." | "The 'partnership government' offered clearer direction, and leadership to Wales, than the drift and muddle that have characterised Labour's minority administration." |
| After most results were declared, Labour was on about 32% of the vote, Plaid 23%, Conservative 20%, and Lib Dem 16%. | After most results were declared, Labour was on about 32% of the vote, Plaid 23%, Conservative 20%, and Lib Dem 16%. |
| Labour's vote was down 8.5%, while Plaid and Tories were up between 1% - 2% and Lib Dems up about 1%. | Labour's vote was down 8.5%, while Plaid and Tories were up between 1% - 2% and Lib Dems up about 1%. |
| Turnout was also up, at about 43%, from 38% four years ago. | Turnout was also up, at about 43%, from 38% four years ago. |
| Plaid's Helen Mary Jones turned a Labour majority of 21 in Llanelli into a 3,884 winning margin of her own. | Plaid's Helen Mary Jones turned a Labour majority of 21 in Llanelli into a 3,884 winning margin of her own. |
| Independent Trish Law celebrates after retaining Blaenau Gwent | Independent Trish Law celebrates after retaining Blaenau Gwent |
| The local MP Nia Griffith said voters were "ganging up on what they see as the best option to get rid of Labour". | The local MP Nia Griffith said voters were "ganging up on what they see as the best option to get rid of Labour". |
| Conservatives took a series of seats from Labour: Clwyd West, Preseli Pembrokeshire, Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, and Cardiff North. | Conservatives took a series of seats from Labour: Clwyd West, Preseli Pembrokeshire, Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, and Cardiff North. |
| Clwyd West provided the biggest casualty of the night when Culture Minister Alun Pugh lost his seat to Tory Darren Millar. | Clwyd West provided the biggest casualty of the night when Culture Minister Alun Pugh lost his seat to Tory Darren Millar. |
| Labour was also again beaten by independent Trish Law in its former valley heartland seat of Blaenau Gwent. | Labour was also again beaten by independent Trish Law in its former valley heartland seat of Blaenau Gwent. |
| But the party held onto Caerphilly, despite a challenge from former Welsh Secretary Ron Davies, standing as an independent in his old constituency, and a strong Plaid Cymru showing. | But the party held onto Caerphilly, despite a challenge from former Welsh Secretary Ron Davies, standing as an independent in his old constituency, and a strong Plaid Cymru showing. |
| It also enjoyed a valuable victory when Lesley Griffiths won back Wrexham from independent John Marek, a former Labour MP and AM. | It also enjoyed a valuable victory when Lesley Griffiths won back Wrexham from independent John Marek, a former Labour MP and AM. |
| However, the British National Party (BNP) came within 2,580 votes of winning a north Wales regional seat in the Welsh assembly election, winning 9.4% of regional vote in Wrexham, which has a large Polish community. | However, the British National Party (BNP) came within 2,580 votes of winning a north Wales regional seat in the Welsh assembly election, winning 9.4% of regional vote in Wrexham, which has a large Polish community. |
| Plaid Cymru's Elin Jones retained Ceredigion despite a strong Lib Dem challenge. But Lib Dem Jenny Randerson held onto Cardiff Central with 51% of the vote. | Plaid Cymru's Elin Jones retained Ceredigion despite a strong Lib Dem challenge. But Lib Dem Jenny Randerson held onto Cardiff Central with 51% of the vote. |
| At the last election in 2003, Labour won 30 seats and formed the assembly government. Plaid Cymru were second with 12 seats, followed by 11 Tory AMs, six Liberal Democrats and one independent. | At the last election in 2003, Labour won 30 seats and formed the assembly government. Plaid Cymru were second with 12 seats, followed by 11 Tory AMs, six Liberal Democrats and one independent. |
| However, by the end of the last assembly term, Labour were down to 29 seats and there were two independent AMs. | However, by the end of the last assembly term, Labour were down to 29 seats and there were two independent AMs. |