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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Labour deal document with Plaid | |
| (about 16 hours later) | |
| Labour has submitted a proposal for striking a deal with Plaid Cymru to form an assembly government in Wales. | |
| Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones had threatened to halt talks after saying he was "disappointed" at Labour's "lack of enthusiasm" for an agreement. | |
| After the 28-page document was received Plaid put back its planned group meeting until later this afternoon. | |
| The four main parties are in talks as no single group won an overall majority in the assembly election on 3 May. | 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. |
| The two held further talks at lunchtime to try to strike a deal, before Mr Jones entered separate negotiations with assembly Conservative leader Nick Bourne and Mike German, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrat group. | |
| Labour is still trying to reach an agreement 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. | "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. |
| 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 the parties have been drawing up a document setting out a programme of government that all three can agree on. | |
| If the proposals are accepted by the party's assembly leadership, there are five crucial meetings over the next four days which must all approve any deal. | |
| The Welsh Liberal Democrats' assembly group and national executive meet in Llandrindod Wells on Wednesday evening, before a special party conference in the town on Saturday. | |
| The Welsh Conservatives' management board approval would be needed when it also meets in Llandrindod Wells on Wednesday evening. | |
| And there are two key Plaid Cymru meetings - the party executive in Cardiff on Thursday and national council in Aberystwyth on Saturday. | |
| 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. |