Welsh politicians greet coalition government with stoicism

There was a mixture of stoicism and concern among Labour and Plaid Cymru politicians in Wales today. The first minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, said he looked forward to a business-like relationship with the coalition and that he wanted to meet David Cameron as soon as possible. But Plaid, which had hoped to play a part in a "rainbow" coalition with Labour and the Liberal Democrats, criticised Labour for "collapsing" when it had the chance to form a new government. The party said it feared severe cuts were in store for Wales. Jones, the leader of the Welsh Labour party, said: "There are many matters regarding Wales which we will need to discuss and I look forward to meeting him [the prime minister] soon to talk about these. "It is my intention to have a constructive working relationship with the new Tory-Lib Dem government. As first minister, it is my job to lead Wales and make the case for Wales – irrespective of who resides in No 10 Downing Street – and that is what I will continue to do. "My prime consideration from this moment on will be to ensure that the priorities of the people of Wales come first – economically, socially and constitutionally." Plaid Cymru's Westminster leader, Elfyn Llwyd, said "London Labour" had collapsed under pressure and that the Conservative-Lib Dem coalition would be allowed to "do its worst" to the Welsh economy. Llwyd criticised Labour for "throwing away the opportunity" to create an alternative government based on "co-operation and consensus" and for allowing the Tories to threaten Welsh communities with "savage cuts". Kirsty Williams, the leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, criticised Labour for "never taking seriously" the idea of a coalition with Nick Clegg's party. She claimed the Lib Dems' "main priority" of changing the tax system would help hundreds of thousands of workers across Wales. "This is a historic moment for the Liberal Democrats and I am very proud that we as a party will be able to implement our policies in government. I am very happy that our policy of increasing the income tax threshold to £10,000 has been accepted." She said Labour had left behind massive economic problems. "Therefore, securing the economic recovery and getting people back into jobs is going to be paramount for the Conservative-Liberal Democrat government. "Not only are we forming a new government, we are forming a new kind of government – a government based on consensus and of co-operation." On Labour, Williams said: "The Labour party never took seriously the negotiation talks with the Liberal Democrats which suggests that they never wanted a progressive form of government." The Welsh Conservative assembly leader, Nick Bourne, said: "This agreement will bring stability to government and I look forward to working with the new Westminster team which I am sure will be sensitive to the needs and aspirations of Wales. "We all want to develop a positive working relationship between the UK and assembly governments, and between Westminster and the assembly to deliver the best possible outcomes for Wales."