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Elis-Thomas denies Senedd crisis Elis-Thomas denies Senedd crisis
(10 minutes later)
The Welsh assembly's presiding officer has denied there is a "crisis" over the shape of the next assembly government.The Welsh assembly's presiding officer has denied there is a "crisis" over the shape of the next assembly government.
Labour won 26 of the 60 assembly seats in the 3 May election, and a series of party meetings is taking place over the next 48 hours to try to reach a deal.Labour won 26 of the 60 assembly seats in the 3 May election, and a series of party meetings is taking place over the next 48 hours to try to reach a deal.
Dafydd Elis Thomas said the talks were "democratic engagement".Dafydd Elis Thomas said the talks were "democratic engagement".
But he revealed he wants legal advice on whether another election would be called if no deal is reached and a first minister not appointed by 31 May.But he revealed he wants legal advice on whether another election would be called if no deal is reached and a first minister not appointed by 31 May.
He said: "There is a deadline, there's the statutory deadline of the 28 working days and then the secretary of state (Peter Hain) calls another election. He said: "There is a deadline, there's the statutory deadline of the 28 working days (after the election) and then the secretary of state (Peter Hain) calls another election.
"I don't know exactly whether the secretary of state's powers have to be exercised immediately or whether there's some discretion there.""I don't know exactly whether the secretary of state's powers have to be exercised immediately or whether there's some discretion there."
As the largest party, Labour is continuing to lead attempts to form an assembly government, with its AMs meeting again on Tuesday.As the largest party, Labour is continuing to lead attempts to form an assembly government, with its AMs meeting again on Tuesday.
We should get a government that reflects what the people voted for Dafydd Elis ThomasWe should get a government that reflects what the people voted for Dafydd Elis Thomas
It is thought most Labour AMs prefer an informal agreement with the Liberal Democrats, although other possibilities, including a full coalition, are still on the table.It is thought most Labour AMs prefer an informal agreement with the Liberal Democrats, although other possibilities, including a full coalition, are still on the table.
Lib Dem AMs and its party national executive also meet on Tuesday and Plaid AMs on Wednesday. Lib Dem AMs and their party national executive also meet on Tuesday and Plaid AMs on Wednesday.
However, it is understood there is strong resistance among both Lib Dem and Plaid AMs to any deal with Labour, and there may be pressure on their leaders over the next few days to come up with an alternative.However, it is understood there is strong resistance among both Lib Dem and Plaid AMs to any deal with Labour, and there may be pressure on their leaders over the next few days to come up with an alternative.
BBC Wales has spoken to 28 of the 40 Lib Dems' constituency candidates in the election and 19 were opposed to any deal with Labour. Five were in favour and the other four declined refused to comment. BBC Wales has spoken to 28 of the 40 Lib Dems' constituency candidates in the election and 19 were opposed to any deal with Labour. Five were in favour and the other four declined to comment.
One senior Liberal Democrat has told BBC Wales that "all leaders have to jump one way or another within the next 48 hours".One senior Liberal Democrat has told BBC Wales that "all leaders have to jump one way or another within the next 48 hours".
HOW THE ASSEMBLY STANDS Labour: 26 seatsPlaid Cymru: 15Conservatives: 12Liberal Democrats: 6Independent: 1HOW THE ASSEMBLY STANDS Labour: 26 seatsPlaid Cymru: 15Conservatives: 12Liberal Democrats: 6Independent: 1
Any deal involving the Lib Dems would have to be ratified at special party conference which can only be held on a weekend - which gives them either next Saturday or the one after that to consider any offers. The party is under pressure to hold that conference next Saturday. Any deal involving the Lib Dems would have to be ratified at special party conference which can only be held on a weekend, which gives them either next Saturday or the one after that to consider any offers. The party is under pressure to hold that conference next Saturday.
The Conservatives are saying little in public, but they regard the next 48 hours as crucial, and are waiting to see if Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones will call upon them and the Liberal Democrats to enter formal negotiations. Conservatives are saying little in public, but they regard the next 48 hours as crucial, and are waiting to see if Plaid leader Ieuan Wyn Jones will call upon them and Lib Dems to enter formal negotiations.
It is understood that both Lib Dems and Plaid are prioritising a number of issues in their talks with Labour over forming a government.It is understood that both Lib Dems and Plaid are prioritising a number of issues in their talks with Labour over forming a government.
It appears that Lib Dems want to see class sizes reduced, hospital reconfiguration stopped, a system of proportional representation introduced for local government elections and measures to tackle climate change as part of any deal.It appears that Lib Dems want to see class sizes reduced, hospital reconfiguration stopped, a system of proportional representation introduced for local government elections and measures to tackle climate change as part of any deal.
Collective responsibilityCollective responsibility
It's understood that Plaid would want a referendum on having a Scotland-style parliament in Wales, a Welsh language act and a look at a number of funding issues, such as the Barnett formula - under which Wales is funded from Westminster - council tax, business rate relief and corporation tax. It is understood that Plaid would want a referendum on having a Scotland-style parliament in Wales, a Welsh language act and a look at a number of funding issues, such as the Barnett formula - under which Wales is funded from Westminster - council tax, business rate relief and corporation tax.
Lord Elis-Thomas told Radio Wales that the options available presented "a very creative period for our Welsh politics".Lord Elis-Thomas told Radio Wales that the options available presented "a very creative period for our Welsh politics".
He said: "Our problem is I think we're still under the shadow of the Westminster two-party system. That is not the model of Welsh politics and we shouldn't be applying it."He said: "Our problem is I think we're still under the shadow of the Westminster two-party system. That is not the model of Welsh politics and we shouldn't be applying it."
"What is important to me from a constitutional point of view is that we should get a government that reflects what the people voted for.""What is important to me from a constitutional point of view is that we should get a government that reflects what the people voted for."
He admitted that strong government in the UK traditionally meant one-party domination but this was not what the assembly government with its increased powers should necessarily follow.He admitted that strong government in the UK traditionally meant one-party domination but this was not what the assembly government with its increased powers should necessarily follow.
He said: "We should raise our eyes beyond Westminster and look what happens on mainland Europe, look what happens n New Zealand and other places." He said: "We should raise our eyes beyond Westminster and look what happens on mainland Europe, look what happens in New Zealand and other places."
  • Meanwhile, former Plaid leader and honorary president Dafydd Wigley has made it clear that there is no question of "seeking Janet Ryder to stand down" so that he could take her assembly seat on the north Wales regional list.
  • Meanwhile, former Plaid leader and honorary president Dafydd Wigley has made it clear that there is no question of "seeking Janet Ryder to stand down" so that he could take her assembly seat on the north Wales regional list.
    • Mr Wigley was placed second on the list amid Plaid's ruling that first spot should go to a woman. Mr Wigley Ms Ryder had his full confidence. Mr Wigley was placed second on the list amid Plaid's ruling that first spot should go to a woman. Mr Wigley said Ms Ryder had his full confidence.