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Labour-Plaid deal talks to start Labour-Plaid deal talks to start
(about 2 hours later)
Discussions are due to begin between Plaid Cymru and Labour on forming an historic Welsh assembly coalition.Discussions are due to begin between Plaid Cymru and Labour on forming an historic Welsh assembly coalition.
Plaid AMs have given unanimous support for the talks with Labour, and are understood to have been guaranteed a referendum on full assembly powers.Plaid AMs have given unanimous support for the talks with Labour, and are understood to have been guaranteed a referendum on full assembly powers.
Plaid leader Ieuan Wyn Jones confirmed that cabinet seats for his party would be part of any deal. First Minister Rhodri Morgan will meet Welsh Labour MPs later to explain the merits of a deal with their opponents.
Mr Jones, who will also continue to talk to Tories and Lib Dems, said parties had to put aside rivalries. Plaid leader Ieuan Wyn Jones, who is also talking to Tories and Lib Dems, said parties must set aside rivalries.
Plaid's 15 AMs backed the Labour discussions at a meeting on Tuesday night, which could see a groundbreaking first deal between two parties which have traditional enemies. Mr Jones confirmed that cabinet seats for his party would be part of any deal with Labour.
My aim is to make sure that by the summer there will be a stable government here in Cardiff Bay Ieuan Wyn Jones Plaid's 15 AMs backed the Labour discussions at a meeting on Tuesday night, which could see a groundbreaking first deal between two parties which have been traditional enemies.
My aim is to make sure that by the summer there will be a stable government here in Cardiff Bay Ieuan Wyn Jones, Plaid Cymru leader
Mr Jones told BBC Radio Wales Labour had offered "fresh information that is interesting and we need to explore that now".Mr Jones told BBC Radio Wales Labour had offered "fresh information that is interesting and we need to explore that now".
He said it was "difficult to go into detail" about what was on the table, but said his concern was a deal that was "in the best interests of the people of Wales."He said it was "difficult to go into detail" about what was on the table, but said his concern was a deal that was "in the best interests of the people of Wales."
However, he said a referendum on a full parliamentary system would be a "key demand".However, he said a referendum on a full parliamentary system would be a "key demand".
But he added: "It's not just about a referendum, it's about a programme for government.But he added: "It's not just about a referendum, it's about a programme for government.
"You can't have a four-year programme of government round a single issue... it has to be about the total package.""You can't have a four-year programme of government round a single issue... it has to be about the total package."
Stable governmentStable government
Mr Jones said it was about "securing a good deal for the people of Wales".Mr Jones said it was about "securing a good deal for the people of Wales".
"My aim is to make sure that by the summer there will be a stable government here in Cardiff Bay," he said."My aim is to make sure that by the summer there will be a stable government here in Cardiff Bay," he said.
Labour said First Minister Rhodri Morgan would be in touch with Mr Jones on Wednesday morning "to discuss an agenda for the talks, to set out teams for the negotiating process and to set out a timetable". Labour said Mr Morgan would be in touch with Mr Jones on Wednesday morning "to discuss an agenda for the talks, to set out teams for the negotiating process and to set out a timetable".
The development is the latest in a series of twists and turns in Cardiff Bay since the 3 May election left Labour the largest party with 26 seats, but five seats short of an outright majority.The development is the latest in a series of twists and turns in Cardiff Bay since the 3 May election left Labour the largest party with 26 seats, but five seats short of an outright majority.
Former Ceredigion Plaid MP Simon Thomas said it was exciting that there seemed to be a change in Labour ranks.Former Ceredigion Plaid MP Simon Thomas said it was exciting that there seemed to be a change in Labour ranks.
First Minister Rhodri Morgan may have to share power with PlaidFirst Minister Rhodri Morgan may have to share power with Plaid
"I think the one thing it will raise with many Plaid members is serious questions about what Labour's motives are and what we can get out of this for the benefit of all of Wales and not just for the benefit of parties concerned," he said."I think the one thing it will raise with many Plaid members is serious questions about what Labour's motives are and what we can get out of this for the benefit of all of Wales and not just for the benefit of parties concerned," he said.
Mike German, leader of the six Liberal Democrats in the assembly, said he "wouldn't have expected anything different from Labour".Mike German, leader of the six Liberal Democrats in the assembly, said he "wouldn't have expected anything different from Labour".
"They get desperately keen on making sure they hang on by their fingertips to power," he said."They get desperately keen on making sure they hang on by their fingertips to power," he said.
He said Plaid had to decide whether its aspirations would be better met by a coalition with Labour or by a rainbow alliance with his party and the 12 Conservative AMs.He said Plaid had to decide whether its aspirations would be better met by a coalition with Labour or by a rainbow alliance with his party and the 12 Conservative AMs.
"Given the support there is for the three-way coalition they will probably want to continue that discussion and I suspect... they are going to have to make a choice between one or the other."Given the support there is for the three-way coalition they will probably want to continue that discussion and I suspect... they are going to have to make a choice between one or the other.
"We will know the answer to that by the end of the week, but I think it is a lot to ask of someone to give up the chance to be in charge.""We will know the answer to that by the end of the week, but I think it is a lot to ask of someone to give up the chance to be in charge."
Hang onHang on
Welsh Conservative leader Nick Bourne said the latest development did not come as a surprise.Welsh Conservative leader Nick Bourne said the latest development did not come as a surprise.
"We always knew there would be more twists and turns in efforts to secure a stable, majority government in the National Assembly."We always knew there would be more twists and turns in efforts to secure a stable, majority government in the National Assembly.
"We also know that Rhodri Morgan and his Labour colleagues will do and say anything to hang on to power," he said."We also know that Rhodri Morgan and his Labour colleagues will do and say anything to hang on to power," he said.
"Our position remains unchanged. We think Wales will be best served by a non-Labour alternative.""Our position remains unchanged. We think Wales will be best served by a non-Labour alternative."
The latest move comes just over two weeks after Rhodri Morgan was installed as first minister leading a minority administration.The latest move comes just over two weeks after Rhodri Morgan was installed as first minister leading a minority administration.