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The Conservatives have challenged Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood to definitively rule out “propping up” Labour if Carwyn Jones’ party fails to win a majority in the May Assembly elections.

Deputy Welsh Conservative leader Paul Davies accused the party of “hypocrisy” – saying it regularly criticised Labour’s record in Wales since the Assembly was founded in 1999 but had not ruled out doing a post-election deal.

Ms Wood’s party insists it does not want to share power with Labour or the Tories and is prepared to lead a minority Government. Welsh Labour accused both parties of “arrogantly arguing about how they’d like to divvy up power”.

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What will happen if Labour don't have a majority in the Assembly in May?

(Image: Peter Bolter)

Plaid shared power with Labour from 2007 to 2011, and the Conservatives called on Ms Wood to apologise for “her party’s role in Labour’s record-breaking NHS budget cuts”.

Challenging Plaid to rule out “any kind of deal that would enable Labour to remain in office after May”, the Tories argue that “change is kicking out Labour” and “any other permutation is just more of the same”.

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Plaid challenged to rule out a 'a cosy little deal'

Preseli Pembrokeshire AM Mr Davies said: “Plaid regularly criticise the Welsh Labour Government, and opposition parties are right to highlight their record of failure – on health, education and the economy. But the truth is, when it comes to the crunch Plaid always do a cosy little deal with Labour.

“Welsh communities desperately need a change at the top. But until Leanne rules out propping up Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party, it’s very difficult to take her seriously. Let’s be clear, change means kicking out Labour; any other permutation is just more of the same.

“If Plaid truly believe that it’s unhealthy for Labour to have ruled in Wales for so long then all they have to do is rule out any kind of deal with them. It’s as simple as that.

“Otherwise voters will have to conclude that a vote for Plaid is just a vote for five more years of Labour in Wales, a fate this country can ill afford.”

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He added: “When the people of Wales go to the ballot box in May, they have a clear choice of who will lead the next Welsh Government and only the Welsh Conservatives will end 17-years of stagnant, uninterrupted Labour rule from Cardiff Bay.”

Could Plaid follow the SNP's path to victory?

(Image: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire)

A Plaid spokeswoman said: “Plaid Cymru does not want to form a coalition with Labour or the Conservatives. We’re putting forward a programme and a team to govern Wales, even if that is as a minority.

“Parties will have to cooperate to implement major change, but Plaid will lead that change. The extent to which parties will need to cooperate will be decided by the people of Wales.”

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Labour wants the public to keep 'sticking' with it

A Welsh Labour spokesman said: “Despite huge cuts from the Tories, Wales is on the up. Exam results, employment figures, cancer survival rates – all going up.

“We want every individual and every family to have the best opportunity to succeed. Welsh Labour leads a pro-business Government, because we know that when the economy does well, Wales does well.

“Carwyn is the only leader who can deliver for Wales. While the Tories and Plaid spend their time arrogantly arguing about how they’d like to divvy up power before a single vote has been cast, we’ll be putting our positive case to the people of Wales and setting out why sticking with Welsh Labour is the best choice for everyone

“Together for Wales, our country has a bright future. Together we can achieve so much more.”