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Labour agrees historic coalition Labour agrees historic coalition
(40 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 agreed 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. This was not a vote for nationalism nor was it a vote for independence, it was a vote to keep Welsh Labour at the heart of government Welsh Secretary Peter Hain MP
The final figures were 78.43% in favour, and 21.57% against. The vote came despite strong opposition from some Labour MPs, AMs and party members, including such figures as former party leader Lord Kinnock and ex-Welsh Secretary and Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy.
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. First Minister Rhodri Morgan, whose leadership of the party in Wales could have been under threat if he had lost, said he was "very pleased" that both sides of the party had backed it.
The unions and affiliates were most in favour, with 95.83% in favour and 4.17% against. The unions and affiliates were in favour by a margin of 19-1. The deal's supporters had feared the biggest threat would come from constituency parties and other groups, but they supported it by 2-1.
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%. Mr Morgan said: "That gives a very good indication that the party will party now behind this overwhelming vote."
The agreement with Plaid commits the parties to campaign for a Yes vote to turn the assembly into a Scottish-style parliament, but Mr Morgan said there would be no referendum until "they had tested the waters of public opinion".
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 deal HOW WELSH LABOUR VOTED Trade unions, affiliates: YES: 95.83%; NO: 4.17%Constituency, county parties, women's forums: YES: 61.02%; NO: 38.98% RESULT: YES: 78.43%; NO: 21.57%
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.
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. Welsh Secretary Peter Hain said "this was not a vote for nationalism nor was it a vote for independence, it was a vote to keep Welsh Labour at the heart of government".
Before the result was announced, the atmosphere inside the conference hall was described by one person as very tense and fractious. Earlier, Mr Morgan had urged his party to vote with "heads and not with their hearts" and the atmosphere inside the conference hall was described by one person as very tense and fractious.
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."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."
Cardiff North MP Julie Morgan, who is married to Rhodri Morgan, said she was very pleased with an "absolutely decisive" result.Cardiff North MP Julie Morgan, who is married to Rhodri Morgan, said she was very pleased with an "absolutely decisive" result.
'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
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."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."
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.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.
'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
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.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.
"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.""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."
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."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 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".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 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.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 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.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."