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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Plaid to decide on coalition deal | Plaid to decide on coalition deal |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Plaid Cymru is poised to decide whether it will step into government for the first time by entering coalition in the Welsh assembly with Labour. | Plaid Cymru is poised to decide whether it will step into government for the first time by entering coalition in the Welsh assembly with Labour. |
| The day after Labour voted for the agreement by 4-1, Plaid's national council is meeting in Ceredigion. | The day after Labour voted for the agreement by 4-1, Plaid's national council is meeting in Ceredigion. |
| About 350 Plaid members are at the meeting, and expected to back a deal uniting traditionally fierce rivals. | About 350 Plaid members are at the meeting, and expected to back a deal uniting traditionally fierce rivals. |
| Plaid leader Ieuan Wyn Jones told members he began coalition talks wanting to do the best for Wales. | Plaid leader Ieuan Wyn Jones told members he began coalition talks wanting to do the best for Wales. |
| Mr Jones, who believes coalition with Labour is the "best way forward to form a stable government," also said he wanted to look at "implementing policies in a Welsh context and to represent all parts of Wales". | Mr Jones, who believes coalition with Labour is the "best way forward to form a stable government," also said he wanted to look at "implementing policies in a Welsh context and to represent all parts of Wales". |
| I am for the document but I don't have faith in Labour Plaid delegate Rhobert ap Steffan | I am for the document but I don't have faith in Labour Plaid delegate Rhobert ap Steffan |
| In a meeting in Pontrhydfendigaid, Plaid's national council is discussing the "One Wales" document, the agreement between the two parties. | In a meeting in Pontrhydfendigaid, Plaid's national council is discussing the "One Wales" document, the agreement between the two parties. |
| Labour overwhelmingly ratified the document by 78.4% to 21.5% at a special party conference in Cardiff on Friday, even though a number of AMs and MPs were strongly opposed. | Labour overwhelmingly ratified the document by 78.4% to 21.5% at a special party conference in Cardiff on Friday, even though a number of AMs and MPs were strongly opposed. |
| Last week Welsh Labour leader and First Minister Rhodri Morgan and the Plaid leader agreed in principle to the historic agreement, which emerged after Labour failed to gain a majority in May's assembly election. | Last week Welsh Labour leader and First Minister Rhodri Morgan and the Plaid leader agreed in principle to the historic agreement, which emerged after Labour failed to gain a majority in May's assembly election. |
| Most AMs from both parties have also supported the document, as have their national executives. | Most AMs from both parties have also supported the document, as have their national executives. |
| But there also some notable opponents, including former party leader Lord Kinnock, ex-ministers Paul Murphy and Don Touhig, and current minister Kim Howells. | But there also some notable opponents, including former party leader Lord Kinnock, ex-ministers Paul Murphy and Don Touhig, and current minister Kim Howells. |
| First Minister Rhodri Morgan and Ieuan Wyn Jones struck the dealBefore forming a coalition, Plaid's leader must gain the support of a simple majority at his party's national council. | |
| 'Right direction' | 'Right direction' |
| Neil McEvoy, a Plaid councillor in Cardiff said: "I have not spoken to anyone who is against it. It's the only option really. | Neil McEvoy, a Plaid councillor in Cardiff said: "I have not spoken to anyone who is against it. It's the only option really. |
| "We just have to be careful with Labour, possibly have an exit strategy if we must". | "We just have to be careful with Labour, possibly have an exit strategy if we must". |
| Plaid delegate Rhobert ap Steffan said: "I am for the document but I don't have faith in Labour. | Plaid delegate Rhobert ap Steffan said: "I am for the document but I don't have faith in Labour. |
| "Having heard the comments some of their MPs were making but not talking about the helpfully ambiguous wording of the agreement, I am not convinced. Maybe I'll be convinced today." | "Having heard the comments some of their MPs were making but not talking about the helpfully ambiguous wording of the agreement, I am not convinced. Maybe I'll be convinced today." |
| The national council has 380 members made up of elected members and representatives from groups and branches within the party. | The national council has 380 members made up of elected members and representatives from groups and branches within the party. |
| If the deal is agreed, it will commit Labour to campaign for a positive vote in a referendum on full law-making powers for the assembly within four years. | If the deal is agreed, it will commit Labour to campaign for a positive vote in a referendum on full law-making powers for the assembly within four years. |
| I've spoken to people who previously voted Labour and this time voted Plaid and are rather disillusioned by what's going on Plaid councillor Moira Lewis | I've spoken to people who previously voted Labour and this time voted Plaid and are rather disillusioned by what's going on Plaid councillor Moira Lewis |
| Gwenllian Lansdown, a Plaid Cardiff councillor, said: "'I think we are doing the right thing. It's going to be a challenge but any other option would have been a challenge too. | Gwenllian Lansdown, a Plaid Cardiff councillor, said: "'I think we are doing the right thing. It's going to be a challenge but any other option would have been a challenge too. |
| "This is the best way to take Wales forward. The document is strong and it gives us the referendum." | "This is the best way to take Wales forward. The document is strong and it gives us the referendum." |
| Plaid's members who support the coalition have argued that an early referendum would not have been possible if they had chosen to form a "rainbow" coalition with the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats. | Plaid's members who support the coalition have argued that an early referendum would not have been possible if they had chosen to form a "rainbow" coalition with the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats. |
| Mr Jones has said: "I think it's a radical document and I think the people, having read it, will see that it's going in the right direction." | Mr Jones has said: "I think it's a radical document and I think the people, having read it, will see that it's going in the right direction." |
| But opponents like Plaid Pembrokeshire councillor Moira Lewis said coalition would harm her party's credibility with voters who backed it to remove Labour from power. | But opponents like Plaid Pembrokeshire councillor Moira Lewis said coalition would harm her party's credibility with voters who backed it to remove Labour from power. |
| She said: "I know many (Plaid members) who are disappointed. Also, I've spoken to people who previously voted Labour and this time voted Plaid and are rather disillusioned by what's going on." | She said: "I know many (Plaid members) who are disappointed. Also, I've spoken to people who previously voted Labour and this time voted Plaid and are rather disillusioned by what's going on." |
| However, now that Labour has voted yes to coalition, Plaid Cymru's grassroots are also widely expected to ratify it. | However, now that Labour has voted yes to coalition, Plaid Cymru's grassroots are also widely expected to ratify it. |