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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Plaid-Labour talks on the brink | Plaid-Labour talks on the brink |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones is threatening to halt talks with Welsh Labour about forming the next government of Wales. | Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones is threatening to halt talks with Welsh Labour about forming the next government of Wales. |
| Mr Jones said he was "disappointed" at the party's "lack of enthusiasm" for an agreement. | Mr Jones said he was "disappointed" at the party's "lack of enthusiasm" for an agreement. |
| The four main parties are in talks as no single group won an overall majority in the assembly election on 3 May. | |
| Mr Jones gave Welsh Labour leader Rhodri Morgan a deadline of Tuesday afternoon to move on certain issues. | Mr Jones gave Welsh Labour leader Rhodri Morgan a deadline of Tuesday afternoon to move on certain issues. |
| Labour is still trying to reach a deal that would allow it to continue governing with its reduced majority. | Labour is still trying to reach a deal that would allow it to continue governing with its reduced majority. |
| Speaking to journalists on Monday evening, Mr Jones said he had made it clear that Plaid was in discussion with all parties, but was clearly frustrated at the way some of the negotiations were progressing. | Speaking to journalists on Monday evening, Mr Jones said he had made it clear that Plaid was in discussion with all parties, but was clearly frustrated at the way some of the negotiations were progressing. |
| "I've been very disappointed with Labour's lack of enthusiasm in seeking an agreement and I have made my views clear to them," he said. | "I've been very disappointed with Labour's lack of enthusiasm in seeking an agreement and I have made my views clear to them," he said. |
| We believe that we have conducted these discussions in a principled way, with good will, and feel that a great deal of progress has been made Welsh Labour spokesperson | We believe that we have conducted these discussions in a principled way, with good will, and feel that a great deal of progress has been made Welsh Labour spokesperson |
| "The Labour party and Rhodri Morgan are being very irresponsible in leaving any meaningful discussions with us to the last minute. | "The Labour party and Rhodri Morgan are being very irresponsible in leaving any meaningful discussions with us to the last minute. |
| "There seems to be an unwillingness to move on many key issues such as stopping the hospital reconfiguration programme which was central to the election campaign and one reason why Labour lost votes throughout Wales." | "There seems to be an unwillingness to move on many key issues such as stopping the hospital reconfiguration programme which was central to the election campaign and one reason why Labour lost votes throughout Wales." |
| He said other sticking points included the timing of a referendum on a Scottish-style parliament and that any proposal from Labour must come through in time for Plaid's meeting on Tuesday. | He said other sticking points included the timing of a referendum on a Scottish-style parliament and that any proposal from Labour must come through in time for Plaid's meeting on Tuesday. |
| "If Labour fail, then obviously we will then look to forming our own government based on our policy programme," he added. | "If Labour fail, then obviously we will then look to forming our own government based on our policy programme," he added. |
| Reacting, a spokesperson for Rhodri Morgan expressed surprise that Mr Jones had suggested there was "a lack of enthusiasm". | Reacting, a spokesperson for Rhodri Morgan expressed surprise that Mr Jones had suggested there was "a lack of enthusiasm". |
| "We believe that we have conducted these discussions in a principled way, with good will, and feel that a great deal of progress has been made," said the spokesperson. | |
| "There have been four meetings so far, focusing on a working document on a whole range of policy issues, and a further discussion between Ieuan Wyn Jones and Rhodri Morgan will take place [on Tuesday]. | |
| "We have demonstrated commitment to this process in order to secure a stable outcome for government in Wales." | "We have demonstrated commitment to this process in order to secure a stable outcome for government in Wales." |
| Suspended | Suspended |
| Only Plaid is still in discussion with Labour after the Liberal Democrats suspended its negotiations. | Only Plaid is still in discussion with Labour after the Liberal Democrats suspended its negotiations. |
| Meanwhile attempts to put together an alliance of Plaid Cymru, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats are said by those involved to be progressing well. | Meanwhile attempts to put together an alliance of Plaid Cymru, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats are said by those involved to be progressing well. |
| It is understood they are drawing up a document setting out a programme of government that all three can agree on. | It is understood they are drawing up a document setting out a programme of government that all three can agree on. |
| Following the 3 May election, Labour remained the largest party in the assembly with 26 seats but was left without a majority in the 60-seat chamber. | Following the 3 May election, Labour remained the largest party in the assembly with 26 seats but was left without a majority in the 60-seat chamber. |
| A new first minister must be chosen by 30 May to avoid another election. | A new first minister must be chosen by 30 May to avoid another election. |