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| Version 7 | Version 8 |
|---|---|
| Labour MPs back Morgan in talks | Labour MPs back Morgan in talks |
| (about 19 hours later) | |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Mr Morgan told MPs that Labour faces a choice between forming a coalition with Plaid Cymru or entering opposition. | Mr Morgan told MPs that Labour faces a choice between forming a coalition with Plaid Cymru or entering opposition. |
| Labour's Welsh executive will meet on Friday. | Labour's Welsh executive will meet on Friday. |
| It will discuss a potential coalition and the calls for a special party conference. | It will discuss a potential coalition and the calls for a special party conference. |
| Mr Morgan travelled to Westminster to meet the group of Labour MPs on Wednesday evening. | Mr Morgan travelled to Westminster to meet the group of Labour MPs on Wednesday evening. |
| Mr David said that no vote on a possible coalition was held but the consensus was to support Mr Morgan in his discussions. | Mr David said that no vote on a possible coalition was held but the consensus was to support Mr Morgan in his discussions. |
| He added that proper consultation was needed with the party's rank-and-file members. | He added that proper consultation was needed with the party's rank-and-file members. |
| A sea-change on a par with a Labour coalition with the Tories in London Former UK Labour minister | 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. | 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". | 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. | "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. | 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 had met on Wednesday morning there had been "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. | 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. | |
| 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. |
| Traditional enemies | Traditional 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). |
| 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, but added he could tolerate it if it was endorsed by Welsh Labour as a whole. |
| The two largest parties in the Senedd may form a coalition | The two largest parties in the Senedd may form a coalition |
| He added an alliance with Plaid was "a sea-change on a par with a Labour coalition with the Tories in London". | He added 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, and Plaid's 15 AMs backed continuing discussions with Labour 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" but added any deal would be about "a programme for government", not just on a single issue. | 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. |
| Mr Jones said it was about "securing a good deal for the people of Wales" and he was aiming to create a stable 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. |
| 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." |