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Labour MPs to warn on Plaid deal Labour MPs back Morgan in talks
(about 4 hours later)
First Minister Rhodri Morgan will be warned by Labour MPs against "rushing and blank cheques" in Welsh assembly coalition talks with Plaid Cymru. Labour MPs have told First Minister Rhodri Morgan they back him in talks on a possible Plaid coalition, but they want to be consulted at every stage.
There remains strong opposition to any offer of a referendum on giving the assembly full law-making powers to keep Labour in office in Cardiff Bay. At the Westminster meeting, Caerphilly MP Wayne David said MPs understood Mr Morgan was in a difficult position but there was support for him in the talks.
Welsh Secretary Peter Hain and Labour AMs want a special party conference held to consider any deal with Plaid. Mr Morgan told MPs that Labour faces a choice between forming a coalition with Plaid Cymru or entering opposition.
The party's Welsh executive is expected to meet soon to consider the calls. Labour's Welsh executive will meet on Friday.
It is the only body which can call such a conference. It will discuss a potential coalition and the calls for a special party conference.
A Labour spokesperson said there was "unanimous support" for holding one when the party's assembly group met on Wednesday morning. Mr Morgan travelled to Westminster to meet the group of Labour MPs on Wednesday evening.
Mr Hain has previously ruled out the possibility of a Lab-Plaid coalition. Mr David said that no vote on a possible coalition was held but the consensus was to support Mr Morgan in his discussions.
The BBC understands he thinks it would be "unthinkable" not to consult party members on such plans. He added that proper consultation was needed with the party's rank-and-file members.
In the run-up to the Welsh assembly election campaign, Mr Hain told the House of Commons he ruled out a coalition with Plaid and said he did not think Labour's grass-roots would accept it. A sea-change on a par with a Labour coalition with the Tories in London Former UK Labour minister
However, it is understood there was strong opposition to any offer of a referendum on giving the assembly full law-making powers.
Before the meeting, one senior MP said there must be no "rushing" into a deal and "no blank cheques".
"We want to know what he has put on offer, what discussions he has had on policy, we want the maximum consultation," said the source.
Welsh Secretary Peter Hain and Labour AMs want a special party conference to be held to consider any deal.
A Labour spokesperson said when the party's assembly group met on Wednesday morning there was "unanimous support" for holding a special party conference.
Mr Hain has previously ruled out the possibility of a Lab-Plaid coalition, saying he did not think the party's grassroots would accept it.
But initial proposals have been exchanged between the two parties ahead of detailed negotiations on a possible deal which are expected to begin on Thursday afternoon.But initial proposals have been exchanged between the two parties ahead of detailed negotiations on a possible deal which are expected to begin on Thursday afternoon.
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.
Mr Morgan will meet the Welsh group of Labour MPs on Wednesday evening to explain the merits of any deal with their opponents.
A sea change on a par with a Labour coalition with the Tories in London Former UK Labour minister
One senior MP said: "We want to know what he has put on offer, what discussions he has had on policy, we want the maximum consultation and no rushing.
"There must be no rushing and no blank cheques," he added.
The source said it would be "crazy" to offer a timetable for a referendum that might be lost.
Traditional enemiesTraditional enemies
A UK government source said: "There are some things that are unpalatable but there is the political reality of having 26 seats (five short of a majority).A UK government source said: "There are some things that are unpalatable but there is the political reality of having 26 seats (five short of a majority).
It's not just about a referendum, it's about a programme for government Ieuan Wyn Jones, Plaid Cymru leader One former minister warned there was no degree of enthusiasm for a Plaid coalition, but added he could tolerate it if it was endorsed by Welsh Labour as a whole.
One former minister warned there was no degree of enthusiasm for a Plaid coalition. The two largest parties in the Senedd may form a coalition
"They are our main opponents in Wales," he said. He added an alliance with Plaid was "a sea-change on a par with a Labour coalition with the Tories in London".
But he added that he would tolerate a coalition if it was endorsed by Welsh Labour as a whole.
He said an alliance with Plaid was "a sea change on a par with a Labour coalition with the Tories in London".
Plaid leader Ieuan Wyn Jones, who is also talking to Tories and Lib Dems, said parties must set aside their rivalries.Plaid leader Ieuan Wyn Jones, who is also talking to Tories and Lib Dems, said parties must set aside their rivalries.
Mr Jones confirmed that cabinet seats for his party would be part of any deal with Labour. Mr Jones confirmed that cabinet seats for his party would be part of any deal with Labour, and Plaid's 15 AMs backed continuing discussions with Labour at a meeting on Tuesday night.
Plaid's 15 AMs backed the Labour discussions at a meeting on Tuesday night.
Mr Jones told BBC Radio Wales that Labour had offered "fresh information that is interesting and we need to explore that now".Mr Jones told BBC Radio Wales that 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 added any deal would be about "a programme for government", not just on a single issue.
The two largest parties in the Senedd may form a coalitionBut he added: "It's not just about a referendum, it's about a programme for government. Mr Jones said it was about "securing a good deal for the people of Wales" and he was aiming to create a stable government.
"You can't have a four-year programme of government round a single issue... it has to be about the total package."
Stable government
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.
The development is one of a series of twists and turns in Cardiff Bay since the 3 May election.The development is one of a series of twists and turns in Cardiff Bay since the 3 May election.
Mike German, leader of the six Liberal Democrats in the assembly, said Labour were "desperately keen on making sure they hang on by their fingertips to power".Mike German, leader of the six Liberal Democrats in the assembly, said Labour were "desperately keen on making sure they hang on by their fingertips to power".
Welsh Conservative leader Nick Bourne said: "Our position remains unchanged. We think Wales will be best served by a non-Labour alternative."Welsh Conservative leader Nick Bourne said: "Our position remains unchanged. We think Wales will be best served by a non-Labour alternative."