Plaid first minister promises cooperation after budget defeat

Welsh Labour leader Ken Skates said all parties should use the summer break to reflect on how they work together.

“We need to have a period of reflection over the summer, look at behaviour, look at attitudes, and have a reset, because it’s in everybody’s interest to get the best possible deal for people,” he said.

Skates said Labour could help secure improvements to budgets and legislation from the opposition benches, but argued Plaid Cymru needed to adapt to the realities of governing.

“It’s really important as well that Plaid recognise they’re not in opposition now,” he said.

“In opposition, you can attack, attack, attack. When you’re in a minority position in government, you need to build consensus. You need to negotiate positively.

“Once we come back in the autumn, there are huge challenges ahead in terms of budgets and legislation, and they’re going to need support from others.”