The forces standing against Rhodri Morgan in the Assembly took another couple of steps towards ousting the first minister.
Both the Plaid and the Lib Dem leaders effectively rejected Mr Morgan's initial offer of an olive branch in separate letters.
Then the Labour leader asked to resume 'formal talks' with Plaid Cymru, including the prospect of formal coalition, and seemed to suggest that an anti-Labour coalition would struggle to get approval for its legislative programme from Labour at Westminster.
Tory Assembly leader Nick Bourne said: "It's the last throw of the dice from someone for whom the writing is on the wall."
NOON UPDATE: Plaid Cymru AMs will meet this evening to decide whether to re-open formal talks with Labour.
Ieuan Wyn Jones said: "If Rhodri Morgan wishes to engage me in discussions it has to be on something which betters the All-Wales Accord." (rainbow deal)
But he was unimpressed with Rhodri's comments that only a Labour-led administration could get legislation through, describing them as “not helpful”.
“That is the height of arrogance. It’s the sort of way the Labour Party has treated the people of Wales over the last eight years,” he told journalists.
Lib Dem's Mike German said: "Rhodri's comments about blocking legislation in London are the words of a man who knows he is standing in the last chance saloon."
