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Labour discusses assembly options Labour discusses assembly options
(about 1 hour later)
Newly-elected Labour assembly members are meeting later to discuss the party's options for power after last Thursday's election.Newly-elected Labour assembly members are meeting later to discuss the party's options for power after last Thursday's election.
Labour is the biggest party, winning 26 out of the 60 seats, but is short of an overall majority in the Senedd.Labour is the biggest party, winning 26 out of the 60 seats, but is short of an overall majority in the Senedd.
A possible coalition with the Liberal Democrats has already brought some criticism from within both parties.A possible coalition with the Liberal Democrats has already brought some criticism from within both parties.
Second biggest party Plaid Cymru also holds a group meeting and leaders have not ruled out an agreement with Labour.Second biggest party Plaid Cymru also holds a group meeting and leaders have not ruled out an agreement with Labour.
Former AM Tom Middlehurst, who resigned from the Labour cabinet in 2000 over the Labour-Lib Dem coalition, said "hot money" was on a deal with the Liberal Democrats.Former AM Tom Middlehurst, who resigned from the Labour cabinet in 2000 over the Labour-Lib Dem coalition, said "hot money" was on a deal with the Liberal Democrats.
He also said a more informal arrangement with Plaid was possible, although he said this was less likely.He also said a more informal arrangement with Plaid was possible, although he said this was less likely.
Mr Middlehurst said: "The price we had to pay for their (Lib Dem) co-operation was huge and out of all proportion to their electoral success in the assembly and that's the situation today - they're a political rump of just six seats and in some disarray themselves."Mr Middlehurst said: "The price we had to pay for their (Lib Dem) co-operation was huge and out of all proportion to their electoral success in the assembly and that's the situation today - they're a political rump of just six seats and in some disarray themselves."
Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney AM Huw Lewis said Labour faced some "unappealing prospects," adding he personally would not want to work alongside a Plaid Cymru minister.Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney AM Huw Lewis said Labour faced some "unappealing prospects," adding he personally would not want to work alongside a Plaid Cymru minister.
Rhodri Morgan and Mike German were in coalition from 2000-2003Rhodri Morgan and Mike German were in coalition from 2000-2003
"What was the message the electorate sent us? I think they clearly said 'we want Labour to govern,' but there was also an enormous 'but...' hanging over it," he said."What was the message the electorate sent us? I think they clearly said 'we want Labour to govern,' but there was also an enormous 'but...' hanging over it," he said.
Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Lembit Opik MP said the three choices for his party seemed to be formal coalition, a "non aggression" pact or being in opposition.Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Lembit Opik MP said the three choices for his party seemed to be formal coalition, a "non aggression" pact or being in opposition.
But he said discussions were "at a very early stage".But he said discussions were "at a very early stage".
"It's not the process that interests me, it's the outcomes," said the Montgomeryshire MP."It's not the process that interests me, it's the outcomes," said the Montgomeryshire MP.
"For example in north and mid Wales, a lot of people feel excluded by the assembly and one question we'll make sure is asked is what's there for people in mid and north Wales.""For example in north and mid Wales, a lot of people feel excluded by the assembly and one question we'll make sure is asked is what's there for people in mid and north Wales."
'Informal kind''Informal kind'
Plaid Cymru AM Dafydd Elis Thomas said one option would be for Labour to "go it alone" and look for support on specific measures and policies.Plaid Cymru AM Dafydd Elis Thomas said one option would be for Labour to "go it alone" and look for support on specific measures and policies.
Lord Elis Thomas, who has been presiding officer since 1999, said it could be good for the assembly as an institution and "keep it alive and lively".Lord Elis Thomas, who has been presiding officer since 1999, said it could be good for the assembly as an institution and "keep it alive and lively".
Another Plaid AM Dr Dai Lloyd said there had been "no negotiations with Rhodri Morgan whatsover."Another Plaid AM Dr Dai Lloyd said there had been "no negotiations with Rhodri Morgan whatsover."
He said: "There is no appetite for coalition whatsover and we're now deeply entrenched as being the major opposition party, having made a significant advance and we've spent the weekend in a jubilant mood".He said: "There is no appetite for coalition whatsover and we're now deeply entrenched as being the major opposition party, having made a significant advance and we've spent the weekend in a jubilant mood".
Conservative assembly leader Nick Bourne is understood to have contacted his group of AMs by phone.
Dr Jonathan Bradbury, a lecturer in politics at the University of Wales Swansea, said that mathematics after the election meant a Lab-Lib coalition gave "a stable basis for party government for the next four years".Dr Jonathan Bradbury, a lecturer in politics at the University of Wales Swansea, said that mathematics after the election meant a Lab-Lib coalition gave "a stable basis for party government for the next four years".
"When all the parlour game discussions are stripped away there are the two parties which can form a natural agreement," said Dr Bradbury."When all the parlour game discussions are stripped away there are the two parties which can form a natural agreement," said Dr Bradbury.
"The context is different now. Back in 2000 there was a long period leading to an agreement."The context is different now. Back in 2000 there was a long period leading to an agreement.
"Now you have the experience of that partnership government and clearly there are views within the Lib Dem and Labour parties which don't exactly want a repeat of that experience and so the odds are on a more informal kind of agreement."Now you have the experience of that partnership government and clearly there are views within the Lib Dem and Labour parties which don't exactly want a repeat of that experience and so the odds are on a more informal kind of agreement.
"Also within the Lib Dems there are electoral ambitions in Newport and Swansea - two of the 11 Labour marginals are here - and they want some freedom to compete in elections in the coming years.""Also within the Lib Dems there are electoral ambitions in Newport and Swansea - two of the 11 Labour marginals are here - and they want some freedom to compete in elections in the coming years."