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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Welsh Assembly talks to break first minister deadlock | Welsh Assembly talks to break first minister deadlock |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Formal talks between Labour and Plaid Cymru to try to break the deadlock in electing the next first minister have begun. | |
| They come two days after an attempt to reinstall Carwyn Jones to the job failed in a tied Senedd vote. | They come two days after an attempt to reinstall Carwyn Jones to the job failed in a tied Senedd vote. |
| BBC Wales also understands Mr Jones has discussed appointing Lib Dem AM Kirsty Williams as a cabinet minister. | BBC Wales also understands Mr Jones has discussed appointing Lib Dem AM Kirsty Williams as a cabinet minister. |
| Meanwhile the Welsh Tories suggested they may not support Leanne Wood for first minister again without a deal. | Meanwhile the Welsh Tories suggested they may not support Leanne Wood for first minister again without a deal. |
| The Plaid Cymru leader was backed by the Conservatives and the seven UKIP AMs, as well as her own party, in the controversial tied vote on Wednesday. | The Plaid Cymru leader was backed by the Conservatives and the seven UKIP AMs, as well as her own party, in the controversial tied vote on Wednesday. |
| Ms Williams was the only opposition AM to support Mr Jones. | Ms Williams was the only opposition AM to support Mr Jones. |
| Labour fell short of a majority at the 5 May election and needs opposition support to govern. | Labour fell short of a majority at the 5 May election and needs opposition support to govern. |
| 'Find consensus' | 'Find consensus' |
| Jane Hutt will represent Labour and Simon Thomas Plaid Cymru in the talks taking place in Welsh Government offices in Cardiff Bay, with neither party leader expected to attend. | |
| Labour AM Vaughan Gething told BBC Wales on Thursday: "We do recognise we're a minority, so we're having conversations." | Labour AM Vaughan Gething told BBC Wales on Thursday: "We do recognise we're a minority, so we're having conversations." |
| Mr Thomas added: "We are pleased that Labour has approached us in order to find consensus." | Mr Thomas added: "We are pleased that Labour has approached us in order to find consensus." |
| Plaid Cymru AMs insist they did not do a deal with other parties before the vote. | Plaid Cymru AMs insist they did not do a deal with other parties before the vote. |
| Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies told BBC Radio Wales on Friday there had been three sets of "substantial" talks involving two AMs from his party and two AMs from Plaid. | Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies told BBC Radio Wales on Friday there had been three sets of "substantial" talks involving two AMs from his party and two AMs from Plaid. |
| But he later released a statement suggesting the Tories could drop their backing for Ms Wood if a deal with Plaid was not forthcoming. | But he later released a statement suggesting the Tories could drop their backing for Ms Wood if a deal with Plaid was not forthcoming. |
| "We have an historic opportunity to break the mould in Wales... but this will only be possible with clear enthusiasm from others," he said. | "We have an historic opportunity to break the mould in Wales... but this will only be possible with clear enthusiasm from others," he said. |
| "Should such ambition not be shown... Welsh Conservatives will not be minded to repeat our action from Wednesday's vote." | "Should such ambition not be shown... Welsh Conservatives will not be minded to repeat our action from Wednesday's vote." |
| Meanwhile, Labour and the Lib Dems confirmed talks were continuing between their parties, but refused to reveal what had been discussed. | Meanwhile, Labour and the Lib Dems confirmed talks were continuing between their parties, but refused to reveal what had been discussed. |
| A well-placed Lib Dem source said Ms Williams had discussed an offer to take up a post as a cabinet minister. | A well-placed Lib Dem source said Ms Williams had discussed an offer to take up a post as a cabinet minister. |
| A Labour source said there was "an open dialogue with Kirsty about what might be possible in the future". | A Labour source said there was "an open dialogue with Kirsty about what might be possible in the future". |
| Even with Ms Williams on board, Labour would still need an arrangement with another party to secure Mr Jones's re-election as first minister. | Even with Ms Williams on board, Labour would still need an arrangement with another party to secure Mr Jones's re-election as first minister. |
| On Thursday, some UKIP AMs suggested they could switch their votes if parts of their manifesto were made law, although Mr Gething said for Labour: "That is not something we would consider." | On Thursday, some UKIP AMs suggested they could switch their votes if parts of their manifesto were made law, although Mr Gething said for Labour: "That is not something we would consider." |
| At the assembly election Labour won 29 seats, Plaid Cymru 12, the Conservatives 11, UKIP seven and the Liberal Democrats one. | At the assembly election Labour won 29 seats, Plaid Cymru 12, the Conservatives 11, UKIP seven and the Liberal Democrats one. |
| AMs have until 1 June to nominate a first minister or face another election. | AMs have until 1 June to nominate a first minister or face another election. |