POLITICAL leaders in Wales say they are "confident" of breaking the deadlock to elect the next first minister as talks between the main parties continue.

Labour and Plaid Cymru have been holding formal discussions since Wednesday when current First Minister Carwyn Jones and Plaid's Leanne Wood were tied in a Senedd vote.

Labour's lack of an overall majority, and Jones's inability to vote for himself, means parties will have to come to some kind of an agreement or face the prospect of another election.

The Conservatives and UKIP had joined Plaid Cymru in backing Wood in the vote for first minister, with Labour and the sole Liberal Democrat, Kirsty Williams, backing Jones.

During talks in Cardiff Bay, senior Assembly Members Jane Hutt of Labour and Simon Thomas of Plaid met at Welsh Government offices in Cardiff Bay.

Both parties said the aim was to form a minority Labour administration rather than a coalition. Labour AM Vaughan Gething welcomed the move, saying: "We're very clear that 29 seats out of 60 gives us a mandate to govern, but equally we recognise that we do not have a majority.

"That is why we started talks with the other parties after the election. It is also why Labour members decided not to run for Presiding Officer, ensuring an opposition member was free to take the chair.

"Others have said there is no rush, that this is a five-year term. I don't agree with that thought process. Our position remains very simple.

"Wales needs a government in place, soon, for two overriding reasons - the steel crisis and the European referendum, which is just a matter of weeks away."

He added: "We're not trying to push ahead to shut other parties out. We are talking about minority government and that of course involves working with others. We are very ready to do that.

"I'm pleased that talks will take place with Plaid Cymru today and we will see what comes out of that."

However, there has been criticism of Plaid's decision to negotiate with Labour from other parties, with Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies saying: "We have an historic opportunity to break the mould in Wales. But this will only be possible with clear enthusiasm from others. Should such ambition not be shown. Welsh Conservatives will not be minded to repeat our action from Wednesday's vote."

UKIP assembly group leader Neil Hamilton said the average Plaid voter did not back the party to see it "effectively" go into coalition with Labour.

"We are all in favour of talks, but minority parties should stick together against Labour arrogance," he said.

On Thursday, some UKIP AMs suggested they could switch their votes if parts of their manifesto were made law, although Gething said for Labour: "That is not something we would consider."

Kirsty Williams is the sole remaining Liberal Democrat in the assembly

At the assembly election Labour won 29 seats, Plaid Cymru 12, the Conservatives 11, UKIP seven and the Liberal Democrats one. AMs have until June 1 to nominate a first minister or face another election.