South Wales Evening Post - 7 May 2007
Swansea Council's Liberal Democrat leader has given the thumbs down to a political deal with Labour in the Welsh Assembly.
Labour could look to the Liberal Democrats to form a coalition, rather than try to forge on as a minority administration.
But Cwmbwrla councillor Chris Holley has openly condemned the prospect of keeping Rhodri Morgan's party in power.
Councillor Holley said: "Wales has said it doesn't want a Labour Government. I don't think it's right, when we are fighting Labour locally and nationally, that we should hold them up."
Leaders of Liberal Democrat-led councils in Cardiff, Wrexham and Bridgend are all said to be against a Lib-Lab deal in the Assembly.
Councillor Holley, who heads a Liberal Democrat-led coalition on Swansea Council, which usurped Labour, said: "I think the Labour Party need to realise that nationally and locally they have not listened to the public.
"Throughout the UK they have taken a hiding.
"Their arrogance is unbounding and they are telling Wales that they want to stay in charge.
"If Plaid Cymru or the Conservatives want to have an election pact with them, fine, but I think all the other parties will find it difficult to support a Labour administration that is clearly the largest party in the Assembly, but the public don't want."
Councillor Holley said the Swansea Council administration had done a "good job" over the last couple of years.
He said: "My feeling is that we have been totally dominated by the Labour Party for 30-odd years and the public have said they want a change."
Labour was left with 26 seats in the 60-member Assembly after Thursday's election - three fewer than prior to May 3.
The Labour enterprise minister in the last Assembly Government, Swansea West AM Andrew Davies, said his party would take stock before striking any deal.
"If we rush into something, we could repent at leisure," he said."We need to bear in mind what is in the best interests of Wales and the people of Wales and not local or sectional interests."
The poor showing of the Liberal Democrats Wales- wide - they finished fourth - has called into question the leadership of Mike German.
Liberal Democrat South Wales West AM Peter Black said: "Maybe would be better served by somebody new."
"I think Mike has been outstanding, but every politician has a shelf life, and Mike has taken us through three elections.
"He took us into Government and achieved a lot. But now I think it's time for a new face at the helm."
He said the party's enterprise spokeswoman, Kirsty Williams, was "an outstanding potential candidate".
