The Labour group want to stick together

The three parties are tabling hundreds of amendments to the motion on rearranging the current seating plan because they believe a debate would be a waste of time.

They hope that their actions will lead to its withdrawal, as debating the amendments could potentially take several hours.

The proposed discussion is due to go ahead next Tuesday.

'Preposterous'

Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones said: "It is time for this Labour government to do their job and stop wasting time.

"The seating arrangements for the assembly chamber were discussed and agreed by all the parties at the business committee in February.

"That is the proper forum for housekeeping issues like this one."

He said the assembly government's "preposterous" plan was to "spend a whole hour discussing changes to the seating plan - time we should be using to talk about important issues like health, jobs and education."

"They are showing complete contempt for the people of Wales.

I sincerely hope that in tabling these amendments..this ridiculous plan will be dropped Ieuan Wyn Jones

"They still haven't presented a proper work plan for the next four years but are getting awfully excited about pushing through an absurd game of musical chairs.

"I sincerely hope that in tabling these amendments, and in all probability run out of assembly time as members vote on them, this ridiculous plan will be dropped and the government is brought to its senses and starts working on real issues."

The motion was tabled by the Minister for Assembly Business Karen Sinclair.

Labour want all their members to sit together on one side of the assembly chamber.

They say that, having failed to reach private agreement with the other parties, they have no choice but to hold a debate on the matter.

But opposition assembly members argue that this is a waste of time and are tabling over 600 amendments to the Labour motion.

Plaid Cymru's amendments currently stand at a total of 333.

The Conservatives have tabled 320, whilst Liberal Democrat amendments will number in the 10s.

Debating on those could potentially take many hours and opposition parties hope Labour will withdraw the motion.

AMs are also trying to censure Ms Sinclair, who they are accusing of bringing the assembly into public ridicule.

She has not made any comment at this stage, but an assembly spokesman said that AMs should expect a very long sitting on Tuesday.