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| Coalition cabinet talks to start | |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Detailed talks on a new Welsh Assembly Government cabinet are due to begin after Plaid Cymru's decision to enter coalition with Labour. | Detailed talks on a new Welsh Assembly Government cabinet are due to begin after Plaid Cymru's decision to enter coalition with Labour. |
| First Minister Rhodri Morgan said the decision would lead to a stable and progressive government for Wales. | First Minister Rhodri Morgan said the decision would lead to a stable and progressive government for Wales. |
| Former Plaid leader Dafydd Wigley called for his party to have at least three cabinet seats, in economic development, finance and rural affairs. | |
| The shape of the new cabinet is expected to be announced within days. | The shape of the new cabinet is expected to be announced within days. |
| Plaid's national council backed the One Wales document by a huge majority in Ceredigion on Saturday, with 92% supporting the deal. | Plaid's national council backed the One Wales document by a huge majority in Ceredigion on Saturday, with 92% supporting the deal. |
| That followed Welsh Labour's vote in favour by four to one on Friday in Cardiff. | That followed Welsh Labour's vote in favour by four to one on Friday in Cardiff. |
| The decision means Plaid leader Ieuan Wyn Jones will become deputy first minister to Mr Morgan. | The decision means Plaid leader Ieuan Wyn Jones will become deputy first minister to Mr Morgan. |
| It is a remarkable shift in Welsh politics, and unites two parties which have traditionally been adversaries, particularly in areas such as the south Wales valleys. | |
| The number of cabinet seats for Plaid will be a key issue, along with the portfolios Labour will be willing to give up. | The number of cabinet seats for Plaid will be a key issue, along with the portfolios Labour will be willing to give up. |
| For two months the people of Wales have been waiting for leadership from the assembly - and I think the patience of some people had gone Former Plaid Cymru leader Dafydd Wigley | For two months the people of Wales have been waiting for leadership from the assembly - and I think the patience of some people had gone Former Plaid Cymru leader Dafydd Wigley |
| There are presently seven Labour cabinet ministers. The Government of Wales Act 2006 says the maximum size of the assembly government can be 14, including deputy ministers, but that excludes the first minister and the legal adviser, the consul general, who need not necessarily be an AM. | |
| Mr Wigley, who led Plaid twice, from 1981-84 and 1991-2000, and is now its honorary president, said he wanted his party to have at least three seats in a cabinet of eight, and four if it is bigger. | |
| He told BBC Radio Cymru that this was a new chapter in Welsh political history. | He told BBC Radio Cymru that this was a new chapter in Welsh political history. |
| "I think it's also important for the people of Wales," he said. | "I think it's also important for the people of Wales," he said. |
| 'Progressive agenda' | 'Progressive agenda' |
| "For two months the people of Wales have been waiting for leadership from the assembly - and I think the patience of some people had gone. | "For two months the people of Wales have been waiting for leadership from the assembly - and I think the patience of some people had gone. |
| "The proof of this government will come when the [UK government's] comprehensive spending review is announced in the autumn - if there is enough coming through to pay for the policies in the One Wales document. | "The proof of this government will come when the [UK government's] comprehensive spending review is announced in the autumn - if there is enough coming through to pay for the policies in the One Wales document. |
| When asked whether he agreed with Mr Wigley on the specific cabinet posts, Mr Jones said it was an interesting position which he would consider during discussions. | When asked whether he agreed with Mr Wigley on the specific cabinet posts, Mr Jones said it was an interesting position which he would consider during discussions. |
| Mr Morgan said: "I'm very pleased that Plaid Cymru have agreed the coalition deal. | Mr Morgan said: "I'm very pleased that Plaid Cymru have agreed the coalition deal. |
| I remain convinced that no matter how hard they try, Plaid Cymru will be dominated by Labour in this new arrangement Nick Bourne, assembly Conservative leader | |
| "I will be meeting with Ieuan Wyn Jones in due course in order to form a stable government which will deliver a progressive agenda for Wales." | "I will be meeting with Ieuan Wyn Jones in due course in order to form a stable government which will deliver a progressive agenda for Wales." |
| Labour sought coalition after failing to win a majority at the assembly election on 3 May. It won 26 seats, with Plaid on 15, Conservatives 12, Liberal Democrats six and independents one. | Labour sought coalition after failing to win a majority at the assembly election on 3 May. It won 26 seats, with Plaid on 15, Conservatives 12, Liberal Democrats six and independents one. |
| Talks have been going on between the parties in the two months since the election. At one stage it looked as if Plaid would form a so-called rainbow coalition with the Tories and Lib Dems, but the party eventually opted for a Labour deal which offers a referendum within four years on a key Plaid aim: turning the assembly into a Scottish-style parliament. | Talks have been going on between the parties in the two months since the election. At one stage it looked as if Plaid would form a so-called rainbow coalition with the Tories and Lib Dems, but the party eventually opted for a Labour deal which offers a referendum within four years on a key Plaid aim: turning the assembly into a Scottish-style parliament. |
| However, many Labour MPs and some AMs remain opposed to the coalition, and some predicted there would not be a referendum in the near future. | However, many Labour MPs and some AMs remain opposed to the coalition, and some predicted there would not be a referendum in the near future. |
| Assembly Presiding Officer Lord Elis-Thomas, a Plaid AM, said he was "ecstatic" with the outcome. | Assembly Presiding Officer Lord Elis-Thomas, a Plaid AM, said he was "ecstatic" with the outcome. |
| "This means that the party has positioned itself in an ideal position for its future development," he said. | "This means that the party has positioned itself in an ideal position for its future development," he said. |
| Tory assembly leader Nick Bourne, who will now become the official opposition leader, said: "We will scrutinise every decision and every announcement. | Tory assembly leader Nick Bourne, who will now become the official opposition leader, said: "We will scrutinise every decision and every announcement. |
| "I remain convinced that no matter how hard they try, Plaid Cymru will be dominated by Labour in this new arrangement." | "I remain convinced that no matter how hard they try, Plaid Cymru will be dominated by Labour in this new arrangement." |