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Labour could be left out in cold Welsh Labour may be out in cold
(about 1 hour later)
The Welsh Liberal Democrats have suspended talks with Labour in Wales, in order to pursue a power-broking deal with Plaid Cymru and the Conservatives.The Welsh Liberal Democrats have suspended talks with Labour in Wales, in order to pursue a power-broking deal with Plaid Cymru and the Conservatives.
The party said it was looking at forming a "robust" assembly government after its AMs met on Thursday night.The party said it was looking at forming a "robust" assembly government after its AMs met on Thursday night.
Labour, despite being the largest party after the 3 May election, could be left out in the cold if the so-called "rainbow coalition" were to go ahead.Labour, despite being the largest party after the 3 May election, could be left out in the cold if the so-called "rainbow coalition" were to go ahead.
But Welsh Labour leader Rhodri Morgan is "not resigned yet to opposition". But Welsh Labour leader Rhodri Morgan said there was still "all to play for".
Speaking after the meeting of Lib Dem assembly members and national executive in Llandrindod Wells, the party's assembly leader Mike German said that they had taken "a very tough decision" to suspend discussions about a coalition with Labour. He left smiling after a meeting of the 26-strong Labour group in Cardiff on Friday and said the door was still open.
Mr Morgan said: "We are ready for government at any time that the other parties, or an other party, is ready to move forward the election process for first minister.
"It's time really for us to be making it clear that we have a practicalprogramme for government."
The night before, Lib Dem assembly members and the Welsh party's national executive met in Llandrindod Wells.
The party's assembly leader Mike German said that they had taken "a very tough decision" to suspend discussions about a coalition with Labour.
PARTY SEATS: Labour - 26Plaid Cymru - 15Conservatives - 12Liberal Democrats - 6Independent - 1PARTY SEATS: Labour - 26Plaid Cymru - 15Conservatives - 12Liberal Democrats - 6Independent - 1
"We have given clarity to our position and what we have said is very clearly that we wish to see if we can negotiate a strong and robust three-party government for Wales," he said."We have given clarity to our position and what we have said is very clearly that we wish to see if we can negotiate a strong and robust three-party government for Wales," he said.
"But if we can't do that, obviously we will have to look at other alternatives at the end of it."But if we can't do that, obviously we will have to look at other alternatives at the end of it.
"I expect the other parties will also want to move forward on that option but whether they choose to continue to negotiate is another matter.""I expect the other parties will also want to move forward on that option but whether they choose to continue to negotiate is another matter."
He said the decision to halt talks with Labour had come as it was "not right to continue negotiations with both sides".He said the decision to halt talks with Labour had come as it was "not right to continue negotiations with both sides".
"The discussions I have had with the leaders of both the Conservatives and Plaid Cymru have led me to believe that this is a potential solution to that fresh start which I think the people of Wales want.""The discussions I have had with the leaders of both the Conservatives and Plaid Cymru have led me to believe that this is a potential solution to that fresh start which I think the people of Wales want."
Montgomeryshire MP Lembit Opik, the leader of the Welsh Lib Dems, has defended his decision to be absent from the meeting, which coincided with his appearance on the BBC 1 comedy quiz, Have I Got News For You.Montgomeryshire MP Lembit Opik, the leader of the Welsh Lib Dems, has defended his decision to be absent from the meeting, which coincided with his appearance on the BBC 1 comedy quiz, Have I Got News For You.
Mr Opik said he had explained to all members of the party that he would not be there, and had worked closely with them so that they knew where he stood.Mr Opik said he had explained to all members of the party that he would not be there, and had worked closely with them so that they knew where he stood.
He said he also said had to be in Parliament on Friday morning to work on a bill, but he would respond to party members if they had an issue with his absence.He said he also said had to be in Parliament on Friday morning to work on a bill, but he would respond to party members if they had an issue with his absence.
Mr Opik said he would be there for Tuesday's meeting and Saturday's special conference.Mr Opik said he would be there for Tuesday's meeting and Saturday's special conference.
Mr German said Mr Opik was "very sad" to have missed Thursday's meeting.Mr German said Mr Opik was "very sad" to have missed Thursday's meeting.
No stability pactNo stability pact
Meanwhile, the Labour group are meeting in Cardiff on Friday.
An assembly government must be formed within 28 days of the poll to avoid a new election.An assembly government must be formed within 28 days of the poll to avoid a new election.
On Wednesday, the Conservative group leader in the Welsh assembly, Nick Bourne, confirmed he had held talks with Plaid Cymru about forming an administration.On Wednesday, the Conservative group leader in the Welsh assembly, Nick Bourne, confirmed he had held talks with Plaid Cymru about forming an administration.
He said his party was only interested in a coalition with Plaid and the Lib Dems, ruling out a "stability" pact.He said his party was only interested in a coalition with Plaid and the Lib Dems, ruling out a "stability" pact.
Under a "stability pact" an opposition party agrees to keep an administration in power in return for some of its policies being taken up, but without joining the cabinet.Under a "stability pact" an opposition party agrees to keep an administration in power in return for some of its policies being taken up, but without joining the cabinet.
Plaid Cymru said on Wednesday it would decide next week whether to try to lead the assembly government.Plaid Cymru said on Wednesday it would decide next week whether to try to lead the assembly government.
Party leader Ieuan Wyn Jones said Plaid was talking to Tories and Lib Dems to see if it could force Labour from office, but stressed that discussions continued with Labour.Party leader Ieuan Wyn Jones said Plaid was talking to Tories and Lib Dems to see if it could force Labour from office, but stressed that discussions continued with Labour.
Any deal that the Lib Dems make will have to be endorsed by a special party conference on 26 May, which is also the day that Plaid's national council is due to meet.Any deal that the Lib Dems make will have to be endorsed by a special party conference on 26 May, which is also the day that Plaid's national council is due to meet.