This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/6668233.stm
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Lib Dems halt talks with Labour | Lib Dems halt talks with Labour |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| The Welsh Liberal Democrats have suspended talks with Labour, in order to pursue a power-broking deal with Plaid Cymru and the Conservatives. | The Welsh Liberal Democrats have suspended talks with Labour, in order to pursue a power-broking deal with Plaid Cymru and the Conservatives. |
| The party said it was looking at forming a "robust" government for Wales after its AMs met on Thursday night. | The party said it was looking at forming a "robust" government for Wales after its AMs met on Thursday night. |
| Labour, despite being the largest party after the 3 May election, could be left out in the cold if the so-called "rainbow coalition" were to go ahead. | Labour, despite being the largest party after the 3 May election, could be left out in the cold if the so-called "rainbow coalition" were to go ahead. |
| But Rhodri Morgan has said he is "not resigned yet to opposition". | But Rhodri Morgan has said he is "not resigned yet to opposition". |
| Speaking after the meeting of Lib Dem assembly members and national executive in Llandrindod Wells, the party's assembly leader Mike German said that they had taken "a very tough decision" to suspend discussions about a coalition with Labour. | Speaking after the meeting of Lib Dem assembly members and national executive in Llandrindod Wells, the party's assembly leader Mike German said that they had taken "a very tough decision" to suspend discussions about a coalition with Labour. |
| PARTY SEATS: Labour - 26Plaid Cymru - 15Conservatives - 12Liberal Democrats - 6Independent - 1 | PARTY SEATS: Labour - 26Plaid Cymru - 15Conservatives - 12Liberal Democrats - 6Independent - 1 |
| "We have given clarity to our position and what we have said is very clearly that we wish to see if we can negotiate a strong and robust three-party government for Wales," he said. | "We have given clarity to our position and what we have said is very clearly that we wish to see if we can negotiate a strong and robust three-party government for Wales," he said. |
| "But if we can't do that, obviously we will have to look at other alternatives at the end of it. | "But if we can't do that, obviously we will have to look at other alternatives at the end of it. |
| "I expect the other parties will also want to move forward on that option but whether they choose to continue to negotiate is another matter." | |
| He said the decision to halt talks with Labour had come as it was "not right to continue negotiations with both sides". | He said the decision to halt talks with Labour had come as it was "not right to continue negotiations with both sides". |
| "The discussions I have had with the leaders of both the Conservatives and Plaid Cymru have led me to believe that this is a potential solution to that fresh start which I think the people of Wales want." | |
| Mr German added that Lembit Opik, the leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, was "very sad" to have missed Thursday's meeting. | |
| No stability pact | No stability pact |
| An assembly government must be formed within 28 days of the poll to avoid a new election. | |
| On Wednesday, the Conservative group leader in the Welsh assembly, Nick Bourne, confirmed he had held talks with Plaid Cymru about forming an administration. | On Wednesday, the Conservative group leader in the Welsh assembly, Nick Bourne, confirmed he had held talks with Plaid Cymru about forming an administration. |
| He said his party was only interested in a coalition with Plaid and the Lib Dems, ruling out a "stability" pact. | He said his party was only interested in a coalition with Plaid and the Lib Dems, ruling out a "stability" pact. |
| Under a "stability pact" an opposition party agrees to keep an administration in power in return for some of its policies being taken up, but without joining the cabinet. | Under a "stability pact" an opposition party agrees to keep an administration in power in return for some of its policies being taken up, but without joining the cabinet. |
| Plaid Cymru said on Wednesday it would decide next week whether to try to lead the assembly government. | Plaid Cymru said on Wednesday it would decide next week whether to try to lead the assembly government. |
| Party leader Ieuan Wyn Jones said Plaid was talking to Tories and Lib Dems to see if it could force Labour from office, but stressed that discussions continued with Labour. | Party leader Ieuan Wyn Jones said Plaid was talking to Tories and Lib Dems to see if it could force Labour from office, but stressed that discussions continued with Labour. |