The solution to this issue lies with Gordon Brown, who is awash with funds. I am sure in his heart of hearts, Alun Michael would agree with this. Mike German and his colleagues will take their own decisions but I think our position is crystal clear, we want to make a success of the Assembly and Objective One. Mr Kennedy said other regions have the same principled argument - that to make Objective One a reality, match funding is required. There is a great deal of timing attached to this and at the end of the day it is an issue of political will - that is what it boils down to.
People know that Objective One status is there to help.
It can make a big difference in terms of the projects that can go ahead, but it takes London to unlock those funds. But Mr Kennedy stopped short of suggesting that the Lib Dems and Plaid Cymru could form a governing coalition in Wales if Mr Michael's administration fell. It is not for me to second guess what my colleagues in the Assembly will do, that is up to them. I would say that political stability is much better, it is a more sane basis upon which to operate than politicial instability. But the Labour Party in Wales have decided from the outset for instability and I am afraid to say they are now living with the consequences.