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Chairing row overshadows budget Chairing row overshadows budget
(10 minutes later)
A row between the two men who run the Welsh assembly could scupper opposition plans to reject the assembly government's new draft budget. A row between the two men who run the Welsh assembly over who would chair the assembly draft budget debate has been resolved just hours before it begins.
BBC Wales understands there is a dispute between presiding officer Dafydd Elis-Thomas and his deputy John Marek over who should chair the debate. Presiding officer Dafydd Elis-Thomas and his deputy John Marek had both expressed unwillingness to do it.
If Dr Marek were to chair, the collective opposition would lose its ability to vote down the budget. If Dr Marek were to chair, the collective opposition would have lost its ability to vote down the budget.
The debate on the £14bn draft budget is set to take place on Tuesday afternoon. However, Lord Elis-Thomas confirmed he would chair the debate on the £14bn draft budget on Tuesday after all.
The opposition parties had presented a list of a dozen priorities which they say Labour had neglected in its draft budget, published last week. The opposition parties has presented a list of a dozen priorities which they say Labour has neglected in its draft budget, published last week.
Labour announced there would be an extra £74m for public services, extra £9m for public services and additional £15m for roads. Labour announced there would be an extra £74m for public services, an extra £9m for public services and an additional £15m for roads.
Dr Marek, an independent AM, is expected to vote with Plaid Cymru, the Liberal Democrats, the Conservatives and independent AM Trish Law against Labour.Dr Marek, an independent AM, is expected to vote with Plaid Cymru, the Liberal Democrats, the Conservatives and independent AM Trish Law against Labour.
'Scarcely believable''Scarcely believable'
Relations between Lord Elis-Thomas and Dr Marek have been strained for some time over how the assembly should be run after the Government of Wales Bill is implemented next year.Relations between Lord Elis-Thomas and Dr Marek have been strained for some time over how the assembly should be run after the Government of Wales Bill is implemented next year.
Following a meeting between assembly party leaders on Monday evening, the BBC understands the collective view is Lord Elis-Thomas is "likely" to chair the budget debate, although this is "not 100% certain". Following a meeting between assembly party leaders on Monday evening, the BBC was given to understand that the collective view was that Lord Elis-Thomas was "likely" to chair the budget debate, but nothing was certain.
If he goes against his own party's whip, then Labour is likely to get the draft budget passed. If he had gone against his own party's whip, then Labour would have been likely to get the draft budget passed.
Plaid Cymru said it was their "expectation" that Lord Elis-Thomas would take the chair.Plaid Cymru said it was their "expectation" that Lord Elis-Thomas would take the chair.
Welsh Liberal Democrats leader in the assembly Mike German called on Dr Marek and Lord Elis Thomas to "bury the hatchet". Mr German said: "I find it scarcely believable that a row between two experienced individuals could be overshadowing the most important debate of the assembly calendar. It was only finally confirmed he would preside at lunchtime on Tuesday.
Welsh Liberal Democrats leader in the assembly Mike German had called on Dr Marek and Lord Elis Thomas to "bury the hatchet".
Mr German said: "I find it scarcely believable that a row between two experienced individuals could be overshadowing the most important debate of the assembly calendar.
"The budget decides how £14bn will be spent in Wales next year. It is of real and lasting importance to all three million people in Wales. The battle of the presiding office is of lasting importance to just two people.""The budget decides how £14bn will be spent in Wales next year. It is of real and lasting importance to all three million people in Wales. The battle of the presiding office is of lasting importance to just two people."
Labour AM Leighton Andrews told BBC Wales: "This illustrates that Marek is just interested in protecting his own position as the AM for Wrexham, and will do anything for publicity and just to be awkward."Labour AM Leighton Andrews told BBC Wales: "This illustrates that Marek is just interested in protecting his own position as the AM for Wrexham, and will do anything for publicity and just to be awkward."