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Labour agrees historic coalition Labour agrees historic coalition
(10 minutes later)
Labour has voted by a big margin to back an historic coalition with Plaid Cymru in the Welsh assembly.Labour has voted by a big margin to back an historic coalition with Plaid Cymru in the Welsh assembly.
The party has voted in favour of the deal by almost four to one at a special party conference in Cardiff. The party agreed the deal by almost four to one at a special party conference in Cardiff.
It means Labour and Plaid will sit in the same Welsh Assembly Government cabinet if, as expected, Plaid also backs the agreement on Saturday.It means Labour and Plaid will sit in the same Welsh Assembly Government cabinet if, as expected, Plaid also backs the agreement on Saturday.
It will create an unprecedented coalition between two parties which have often been bitterly opposed.It will create an unprecedented coalition between two parties which have often been bitterly opposed.
The vote came despite strong opposition from some Labour MPs, AMs and party members, including leading names such as former party leader Lord Kinnock and ex-Welsh Secretary and Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy.The vote came despite strong opposition from some Labour MPs, AMs and party members, including leading names such as former party leader Lord Kinnock and ex-Welsh Secretary and Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy.
The final figures were 78.43% in favour, with 21.57% against. The final figures were 78.43% in favour, and 21.57% against.
There were two parts to the vote, with half shared between 40 constituency parties, 14 county parties and 17 women's forums, and the other half between 16 trade unions and other affiliated organisations.There were two parts to the vote, with half shared between 40 constituency parties, 14 county parties and 17 women's forums, and the other half between 16 trade unions and other affiliated organisations.
The unions and affiliates were most in favour, with 95.83% in favour 4.17% against. The unions and affiliates were most in favour, with 95.83% in favour and 4.17% against.
Supporters of the deal had feared the biggest threat would come from the constituency parties and other groups. But in fact they backed it with 61.02% and 38.98%. Supporters of the deal had feared the biggest threat would come from the constituency parties and other groups. But in fact they backed it by 61.02% to 38.98%.
Plaid's grassroots membership is now expected to follow suit and ratify the same agreement at a separate meeting in Ceredigion.Plaid's grassroots membership is now expected to follow suit and ratify the same agreement at a separate meeting in Ceredigion.
Senior Welsh MPs Paul Murphy and Don Touhig oppose the dealSenior Welsh MPs Paul Murphy and Don Touhig oppose the deal
That would be followed by a new coalition announced on Monday, with Plaid entering government for the first time in its history.That would be followed by a new coalition announced on Monday, with Plaid entering government for the first time in its history.
Earlier, First Minister Rhodri Morgan had urged Welsh Labour to vote with "heads and not with their hearts" on forming a coalition with Plaid Cymru.Earlier, First Minister Rhodri Morgan had urged Welsh Labour to vote with "heads and not with their hearts" on forming a coalition with Plaid Cymru.
Before the result was announced, the atmosphere inside the conference hall was described by one person as very tense and fractious.Before the result was announced, the atmosphere inside the conference hall was described by one person as very tense and fractious.
The deal was backed by both party executives but opposed by four Labour AMs and some MPs, including Don Touhig, who said it would be "suicide". Rhondda MP Chris Bryant said: "I spoke against the deal but now the party has reached a democratic decision I believe that the Labour Party must unite and go forwards and get on with the really important work that Rhodri and his colleagues have to do in the country."
Coalition opponent and Clwyd South MP Martyn Jones said as he arrived that he thought it would go through, but it would be bad for Wales, and harmful to Labour. Cardiff North MP Julie Morgan, who is married to Rhodri Morgan, said she was very pleased with an "absolutely decisive" result.
A Labour member, Gwilym Morris, said there would be "electoral anarchy" if the deal was scuppered, and the whole process would become " a shambles".
Wrexham AM Lesley Griffiths told the conference: "I do not believe, given all the hard work we have invested in regaining Wrexham from four long years of political obscurity, that we should throw that success away and hand the Tories of all people a massive political advantage."
'ONE WALES' PROPOSALS 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'ONE WALES' PROPOSALS 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
The One Wales 43-page power-sharing document is supported by a majority of each party's AMs, but there are doubts on both sides, and most Welsh Labour MPs have "serious concerns". She said the debate was "held in good humour" with "a lot of passion and very strong feelings," but there was also "a general feeling that everyone would unite around the decision."
Former Wales Office Minister Don Touhig joined former Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy, fellow MP Kim Howells and four AMs in urging his party to reject the deal. Mrs Morgan said her husband had been "amazingly calm" during negotiations which had gone on "day in, day out" virtually since the assembly election on 3 May.
Mr Touhig told the podcast ePolitix.com: "Our supporters will not understand it at all. The document that has been agreed is pushing a nationalist agenda, not a Labour agenda. She said: "The reality of the (assembly election) result means that we have to work with other parties. The Liberal Democrats are not interested in working in a coalition and Plaid Cymru are interested.
'Disillusioned' "People throughout Europe are used to working in coalitions. It's very common over there and we are going to have to get used to doing it here."
"This is wholly wrong and it is suicide for Labour. The party is walking into a trap. " Plaid deputy leader Rhodri Glyn Thomas was "very pleased" with the outcome, which he said showed Labour saw the deal "as a progressive programme of government and they have embraced it with enthusiasm."
The deal was backed by both party executives but opposed by four Labour AMs and some MPs, including Don Touhig, who said it would be "suicide" and a "trap".
The One Wales 43-page power-sharing document was supported by a majority of each party's AMs, but there were doubts on both sides, and most Welsh Labour MPs have "serious concerns".
AMs Lynne Neagle, Karen Sinclair, Ann Jones and Irene James broke ranks with fellow Labour AMs to oppose the coalition.AMs Lynne Neagle, Karen Sinclair, Ann Jones and Irene James broke ranks with fellow Labour AMs to oppose the coalition.
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 were 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 argued 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 said coalition would harm her party's credibility with voters who backed it to remove Labour from power.But opponents like Plaid Pembrokeshire councillor Moira Lewis said coalition would harm her party's credibility with voters who backed it 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."