A dramatic day in Wales today. The vote for First Minister ended in a tie between Labour’s Carwyn Jones and Plaid Cymru’s Leanne Wood. Labour, despite only having 29 out of 60 seats in the Assembly, had not done a deal with any of the other parties to ensure Jones’ election. Plaid then nominated its own leader, who was backed by the Tory and Ukip AMs as well as the Plaid ones,
The Assembly has now adjourned. The Assembly has until 2 June, to decide on a First Minister. If it cannot vote someone in, then the Secretary of State for Wales can call fresh elections.
Plaid are now saying, according to the BBC, that they are ‘surprised other parties supported them’ and ‘did not want to give Labour a bloody nose’. This suggests that Plaid may well back down when it comes to a second vote.
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