LABOUR group leader Carwyn Jones pledged to put aside tribalism as he outlined his party's intention to govern alone — for now at least.

The Assembly elections left Labour with 30 seats, one short of an overall majority.

Mr Jones said his party won the election in terms of seats, votes cast and share of the vote, so it was "patently clear that the will of the people of Wales was that the next Welsh Government should be Labour-led".

Labour has been discussing the election results internally and with the other parties.

"As a result of these discussions, I will seek to form a Government later this week, consisting solely of Labour Ministers," said Mr Jones.

"However, in doing this, I want to make something absolutely clear. We will do this without any triumphalism and with no trace of any political tribalism.

"The stakes for Wales are too high for any such self-indulgence."

With Wales facing tough times, a stable government was now required, he said, adding: "We in Welsh Labour do not pretend for one moment that we hold all the answers to the problems or the opportunities that we face. What the recent election demonstrated was that all the main political parties now represented in the Assembly, produced manifestos that were full of new ideas and fresh perspectives on how to create a better, fairer and more prosperous Wales in the future."

Mr Jones left open the possibility of forming a coalition or other less formal partnership later in the Assembly, saying discussions would continue with the other parties over the coming weeks and months about what roles they would play.

Paul Davies, the interim Conservative group leader, said Labour must put an end to their mistakes and focus on delivery.

He said: "Twelve years of Labour-led governments have left our NHS, our schools and our economy failing. Under Labour we have had nothing but missed targets and empty promises."

Mr Davies, who is leading his party until a replacement is found for election casualty Nick Bourne, added: "That poor legacy has got to end and, as the official opposition in the National Assembly, Welsh Conservatives will make sure our country is put first."

Plaid said Labour, as the largest party in Wales, had a moral obligation to form the next Government.

Its leader Ieuan Wyn Jones also pledged to hold the Government to account.

He said: "Our role, following Labour's decision to form a minority government, will be to ensure that they live up to their promises to shield people in Wales from all the Tory-Lib Dem cuts in the way they promised throughout the election."

Liberal Democrat group leader Kirsty Williams said her party would judge each issue on its merits and support or oppose it depending on what they thought to be the best interests of the people of Wales.

She said: "It is clear that Wales is suffering from a weak economy and serious failings in our schools and NHS. Where Labour proposes serious answers to these problems they will have our support."

david.price@swwmedia.co.uk