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Coalition deals sideline Labour | Coalition deals sideline Labour |
(about 19 hours later) | |
Plaid Cymru claims to be involved in coalition talks to run up to half of Wales' 22 county councils. | Plaid Cymru claims to be involved in coalition talks to run up to half of Wales' 22 county councils. |
Parties are locked in talks after only four councils were left with clear majorities in the local elections. | Parties are locked in talks after only four councils were left with clear majorities in the local elections. |
After winning two councils, Conservatives are negotiating in half a dozen more, and Lib Dems hope to share the leadership in about 12 councils. | After winning two councils, Conservatives are negotiating in half a dozen more, and Lib Dems hope to share the leadership in about 12 councils. |
After decades of domination, emerging coalition deals could leave Labour frozen out in all but a few councils. | After decades of domination, emerging coalition deals could leave Labour frozen out in all but a few councils. |
The seismic shift in the Welsh political landscape - from the red of socialism to the multicoloured rainbow of "coalition Cymru" - has been a gradual process, in which Labour's grip on power has slipped dramatically over the last decade. | The seismic shift in the Welsh political landscape - from the red of socialism to the multicoloured rainbow of "coalition Cymru" - has been a gradual process, in which Labour's grip on power has slipped dramatically over the last decade. |
Labour woes | Labour woes |
After last week's elections, the party was left in control of just two councils across Wales - in Neath Port Talbot and Rhondda Cynon Taf. | After last week's elections, the party was left in control of just two councils across Wales - in Neath Port Talbot and Rhondda Cynon Taf. |
Labour managed to win back lost ground in Bridgend, and is likely to secure the support of enough independents to form an administration, after four years of a rainbow alliance, led by the Liberal Democrats. | Labour managed to win back lost ground in Bridgend, and is likely to secure the support of enough independents to form an administration, after four years of a rainbow alliance, led by the Liberal Democrats. |
Elsewhere, Labour's worst case scenario would involve playing a bit part in running Conwy. | Elsewhere, Labour's worst case scenario would involve playing a bit part in running Conwy. |
But even the most optimistic scenario, would only suggest the possibility of further deals in Flintshire, Merthyr or Newport - although sources suggest that Labour is in fact being frozen out of any such coalition options. | But even the most optimistic scenario, would only suggest the possibility of further deals in Flintshire, Merthyr or Newport - although sources suggest that Labour is in fact being frozen out of any such coalition options. |
The idea that Labour may find itself in power in fewer than half a dozen councils can only be understood within the context of all the other negotiations under way. | The idea that Labour may find itself in power in fewer than half a dozen councils can only be understood within the context of all the other negotiations under way. |
Plaid Cymru is in pole position in Gwynedd, Caerphilly and Ceredigion, and has already struck a coalition deal in Anglesey with the Lib Dems, Conservatives and independents. | Plaid Cymru is in pole position in Gwynedd, Caerphilly and Ceredigion, and has already struck a coalition deal in Anglesey with the Lib Dems, Conservatives and independents. |
Plaid is also rumoured to be in sole negotiations with the Lib Dems in Cardiff, and looks set to play a part in running Conwy and Torfaen. Plaid could also end up sharing power in Wrexham and Flintshire - although its electoral success in Carmarthenshire looks unlikely to have any impact on the running of the council. | |
Power base | Power base |
Having retained control of Monmouthshire and won the Vale of Glamorgan, the Conservatives have already extended their power base by joining a coalition to run Anglesey. | Having retained control of Monmouthshire and won the Vale of Glamorgan, the Conservatives have already extended their power base by joining a coalition to run Anglesey. |
There are rumours circulating that the Tories will not only take part in, but could even lead the council in the most unlikely of locations - Torfaen. | There are rumours circulating that the Tories will not only take part in, but could even lead the council in the most unlikely of locations - Torfaen. |
As the largest party in Conwy, they may fail to secure control because of an anti-Tory alliance between all the other parties - with both Plaid and Labour highly unlikely to lend their support in such a key target seat in both assembly and parliamentary terms. | As the largest party in Conwy, they may fail to secure control because of an anti-Tory alliance between all the other parties - with both Plaid and Labour highly unlikely to lend their support in such a key target seat in both assembly and parliamentary terms. |
Tory power is also a possibility in Newport - although a coalition with the Lib Dems could prove difficult to broker, in the face of open historic hostility between both camps. | Tory power is also a possibility in Newport - although a coalition with the Lib Dems could prove difficult to broker, in the face of open historic hostility between both camps. |
Negotiations are also ongoing with other parties in Flintshire and Wrexham. | Negotiations are also ongoing with other parties in Flintshire and Wrexham. |
Crucial influence | Crucial influence |
Despite being the smallest of the main political parties - with just 162 councillors - the Lib Dems' ability to win seats of strategic value could place them in the strongest position of all the parties, in terms of power-sharing in Welsh councils. | Despite being the smallest of the main political parties - with just 162 councillors - the Lib Dems' ability to win seats of strategic value could place them in the strongest position of all the parties, in terms of power-sharing in Welsh councils. |
Coalition deals are thought to be imminent in both Cardiff and Swansea, while they have already formed part of the new administration in Anglesey. | Coalition deals are thought to be imminent in both Cardiff and Swansea, while they have already formed part of the new administration in Anglesey. |
The party looks set to lead a coalition in Wrexham, and could play a significant role in any anti-Labour alliance in Flintshire. | The party looks set to lead a coalition in Wrexham, and could play a significant role in any anti-Labour alliance in Flintshire. |
Having won a handful of seats in Blaenau Gwent, Conwy, Gwynedd and Torfaen, as well as a more significant presence in Merthyr, then their influence could be crucial. | Having won a handful of seats in Blaenau Gwent, Conwy, Gwynedd and Torfaen, as well as a more significant presence in Merthyr, then their influence could be crucial. |
Indeed, their presence could be of even more significance in both Ceredigion and Newport, where it is possible they could play major roles in any deals with their political opponents. | Indeed, their presence could be of even more significance in both Ceredigion and Newport, where it is possible they could play major roles in any deals with their political opponents. |
In this world of Welsh political uncertainty, any talk of swift resolutions in all 22 local authorities would be extremely unwise - with hardened observers of last year's twin-tracked coalition talks for control of the Welsh Assembly Government already anticipating having to wait a few weeks yet for the final result. |
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