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Plaid to decide on coalition deal Labour-Plaid coalition is sealed
(about 2 hours 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 will enter government for the first time in a momentous Welsh assembly coalition with rivals 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 by a big majority to share power, Plaid followed suit by 225 votes to 18, or 92%.
About 350 Plaid members are at the meeting, and expected to back a deal uniting traditionally fierce rivals. Plaid leader Ieuan Wyn Jones will be deputy to First Minister Rhodri Morgan and other Plaid AMs join the cabinet.
Plaid leader Ieuan Wyn Jones told members he began coalition talks wanting to do the best for Wales. It also means that eight years after devolution began, nationalists are in government in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
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". Hundreds of Plaid members were at the meeting in Pontrhydfendigaid, Ceredigion, the morning following Labour's crucial vote in Cardiff.
I am for the document but I don't have faith in Labour Plaid delegate Rhobert ap SteffanI 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. Plaid's national council discussed 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. Ieuan Wyn Jones says coalition is the best way forward for WalesBefore 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. Before Plaid voted, 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 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 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 LewisI'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.