Morgan prepared for LibDem deal in Wales

21 Nov 02
Rhodri Morgan has left the door open for a coalition with the Liberal Democrats even if Labour wins a majority in next year's Assembly elections.

22 November 2002

In an interview with Public Finance, the Welsh first minister has refused to rule out the possibility of continuing to share power with the LibDems.

Morgan hinted that, even if his party wins a mathematical majority when Wales goes to the polls next May, he will consider doing a deal if the numerical advantage is not enough to allow Labour to govern effectively.

Many of Morgan's own backbenchers are staunchly opposed to such a move.

Morgan said: 'It's not mathematically impossible to win an outright majority in Wales. But an outright majority means a working majority: it means that you can sustain yourself as a government.'

The first minister said a second-term Labour administration would focus its efforts on undoing 'the damage done to society in the Thatcher era'. In particular it would strive for full employment and increased productivity in the Welsh economy.

He also made clear that he had not been won over by ministers' attempts to promote the virtues of the Private Finance Initiative, which has been mired in controversy. 'We use it when it makes sense and we don't when it doesn't. In Wales, more often it doesn't,' he said.

PFnov2002

Did you enjoy this article?

AddToAny

Top