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Labour to vote on Plaid coalition Labour to vote on Plaid coalition
(about 1 hour later)
Welsh Labour will decide later if they should form a coalition with Plaid Cymru in the Welsh assembly.Welsh Labour will decide later if they should form a coalition with Plaid Cymru in the Welsh assembly.
A special conference will be held in Cardiff on Friday where Labour party representatives will be asked to vote on a power-sharing programme.A special conference will be held in Cardiff on Friday where Labour party representatives will be asked to vote on a power-sharing programme.
The deal has already been backed by the two party executives but criticised by some senior Welsh Labour MPs and four of the 26-strong assembly group.The deal has already been backed by the two party executives but criticised by some senior Welsh Labour MPs and four of the 26-strong assembly group.
Plaid will hold a meeting of its national council in mid Wales tomorrow.Plaid will hold a meeting of its national council in mid Wales tomorrow.
The two meetings will provide opportunities for grassroots members to have their say on an unprecedented coalition between two parties whose members have often been bitterly opposed.The two meetings will provide opportunities for grassroots members to have their say on an unprecedented coalition between two parties whose members have often been bitterly opposed.
Labour leader Rhodri Morgan and Plaid leader Ieuan Wyn Jones's One Wales power-sharing document is supported by a majority of each party's AMs.Labour leader Rhodri Morgan and Plaid leader Ieuan Wyn Jones's One Wales power-sharing document is supported by a majority of each party's AMs.
Labour's Welsh executive and Plaid's national executive have also backed the deal. WHAT DOES ONE WALES PROPOSE? To increase affordable housing Improve road and rail links between north and south WalesReferendum on full law-making assembly powers "as soon as practicable" in or before 2011Labour and Plaid agree "in good faith to campaign for a successful outcome" to a referendumMoratorium on existing plans for community hospital changesA commission to tackle climate change
But figures within both parties have expressed reservations. Labour's Welsh executive and Plaid's national executive have also backed the 43-page document.
But members of both parties have expressed reservations.
An "overwhelming majority" of Welsh Labour MP's are said to have "serious concerns".An "overwhelming majority" of Welsh Labour MP's are said to have "serious concerns".
Former Wales Office Minister Don Touhig has joined former Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy, fellow MP Kim Howells and four AMs in urging his party to reject the deal.Former Wales Office Minister Don Touhig has joined former Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy, fellow MP Kim Howells and four AMs in urging his party to reject the deal.
Senior Welsh MPs Paul Murphy and Don Touhig oppose the deal
Mr Touhig told the podcast ePolitix.com that Labour would be committing "suicide" if it decides to share power with Plaid.Mr Touhig told the podcast ePolitix.com that Labour would be committing "suicide" if it decides to share power with Plaid.
He said: "Our supporters will not understand it at all. The people of Wales voted for Labour, nationalist, Tory and Liberal in the election - they did not vote for some woolly consensus with the nationalists.He said: "Our supporters will not understand it at all. The people of Wales voted for Labour, nationalist, Tory and Liberal in the election - they did not vote for some woolly consensus with the nationalists.
"The document that has been agreed is pushing a nationalist agenda, not a Labour agenda."The document that has been agreed is pushing a nationalist agenda, not a Labour agenda.
"This is wholly wrong and it is suicide for Labour. The party is walking into a trap. ""This is wholly wrong and it is suicide for Labour. The party is walking into a trap. "
AMs Lynne Neagle, Karen Sinclair, Ann Jones and Irene James broke ranks with fellow Labour AMs to oppose coalition with Plaid.AMs Lynne Neagle, Karen Sinclair, Ann Jones and Irene James broke ranks with fellow Labour AMs to oppose coalition with Plaid.
I've spoken to people who previously voted Labour and this time voted Plaid and are rather disillusioned by what's going on Plaid councillor Moira Lewis Senior Welsh MPs Paul Murphy and Don Touhig oppose the deal
They issued a statement saying they had "serious objections to a number of the Plaid Cymru-inspired policies".They issued a statement saying they had "serious objections to a number of the Plaid Cymru-inspired policies".
They said they believe the document "represents a significant departure from what people voted for in the original devolution settlement in 1997."They said they believe the document "represents a significant departure from what people voted for in the original devolution settlement in 1997."
The four AMs are particularly opposed to the part of the One Wales document which would commit Labour to campaign for a positive outcome to a referendum to turn the assembly into a Scottish-style Parliament by 2011.The four AMs are particularly opposed to the part of the One Wales document which would commit Labour to campaign for a positive outcome to a referendum to turn the assembly into a Scottish-style Parliament by 2011.
Plaid supporters of the deal argue such an early referendum would not have been attainable had the party opted to enter a 'rainbow coalition' with the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives.Plaid supporters of the deal argue such an early referendum would not have been attainable had the party opted to enter a 'rainbow coalition' with the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives.
But opponents like Plaid Pembrokeshire councillor Moira Lewis say a union with Labour would do harm her party's credibility with voters who backed her party to remove Labour from power.But opponents like Plaid Pembrokeshire councillor Moira Lewis say a union with Labour would do harm her party's credibility with voters who backed her party to remove Labour from power.
She said: "I know many (Plaid members) who are disappointed. Also, I've spoken to people who previously voted Labour and this time voted Plaid and are rather disillusioned by what's going on."She said: "I know many (Plaid members) who are disappointed. Also, I've spoken to people who previously voted Labour and this time voted Plaid and are rather disillusioned by what's going on."
The party meets in Pontrhydfendigaid, Ceredigion on Saturday.The party meets in Pontrhydfendigaid, Ceredigion on Saturday.
The assembly itself will then break for summer recess next Thursday.The assembly itself will then break for summer recess next Thursday.
If a coalition is not agreed over the next two days then, in the words of Caerphilly Labour AM Jeff Cuthbert, the situation will be "back to square one" with a minority Labour government.If a coalition is not agreed over the next two days then, in the words of Caerphilly Labour AM Jeff Cuthbert, the situation will be "back to square one" with a minority Labour government.