A cross-party coalition established the assembly. Labour, Plaid Cymru and the Liberal Democrats joined forces to persuade the electorate devolution in Wales was worth it.

Despite the broad support among politicians, the people of Wales voted by the smallest of margins for a degree of home rule.

Statistically, the Welsh people turnout more for elections than in any other part of the UK.

On referendum night, turnout was only 50 percent.

Turnout dived again a year later. On 6 May 1999, just 46 per cent cast a vote for an assembly member.

Labour gained the most seats with 28 but lost heartlands such as Llanelli, Rhondda and Islwyn to Plaid Cymru.

In 1999, Plaid Cymru's overall success was a surprise. They received 30 per cent of the vote, and with 17 seats, they prevented Labour getting an outright majority.

Dafydd calls it a day Click here to see profile of Welsh statesman

The first term had the benefit of politicians with a breadth of experience on national level.

Dafydd Wigley, Ron Davies, Cynog Dafis, Lord Elis-Thomas, Rhodri Morgan, Rod Richards, Alun Michael, Phil Williams, have all been able to offer their practical experience from other political arenas to this new institution.

But the first couple of years were peppered with confusion.

Within two months, Agriculture Minister Christine Gwyther was censured.

Within a year, First Secretary, Alun Michael resigned before a vote of no-confidence.

The Presiding Officer claimed shortly after the vote: 'this was the first day of devolution'.

It was certainly a turning point.

The assembly's government was now on a tightrope.

Change at the top

Rhodri Morgan, the new First Minister, was under pressure to find a solution to its lack of an overall majority.

But not until later did he create the Partnership Agreement with the Liberal Democrats.

The fourth party in Wales, the Liberal Democrats were given two seats on the Executive.

In return, the LibDems wanted a range of their policies supported by Labour.

This has ensured an outright majority of 8 seats in the assembly.

Neither party ruled out a continued coalition after the election.

And it remains a real possibility.

But Rhodri Morgan said he would consider it a personal failure if Labour failed to ensure an outright majority.

A different path

Powers were devolved to the assembly on the 1st July 1999.

Unlike Scotland, the Welsh Assembly is not empowered to create new Acts of Parliament - but it can pass secondary legislation.

This means it can modify details within Acts through assembly orders.

Many politicians from all parties have been frustrated at their limited powers, and have argued that they want Scottish Parliament-style powers.

Clear red water

Despite this, the Welsh Assembly Government has been able to embark on a different agenda.

The political river which separates Wales and Westminster had been clear for some time.

And Rhodri Morgan cemented this in a keynote speech at the end of 2002.

In policy terms, he was strenuous in his opposition to New Labour.

His speech drowned plans to introduce foundation hospitals and he poured scorn on the possibility of selection in schools.

Unusually, Peter Hain the Welsh Secretary advised everyone to read a copy.

He insisted it was 'devolution in action'.

On key policy areas Wales has chosen a different path:

• 7-year old testing abolished
• League tables scrapped
• Free school milk for Key stage 1
• Welsh Baccalaureate piloted
• Assembly Learning Grant for further and higher education
• Prescription charges frozen and made free for under 25's
• Free dental checks for under 25s and over 60s
• Free local bus travel for pensioners and disabled
• Community Health Councils strengthened
• Foundation hospitals rejected

There are signs, too, that if they had more powers, they would use them to be even more different from their parent politicians at Westminster.

The Sutherland Commission recommended free personal care for the elderly be introduced in Wales, but using only funding from Government raised through general taxation.

The Assembly have neither the legislative capacity nor the funding to introduce the proposal.

A vote in the Assembly in 2002 showed overwhelming support for it, but Health Minister Jane Hutt was only able to commit to writing to the Welsh Secretary.

An advisor to the Secretary of State dismissed it as 'pathetic'.

While the split is noticeable, Westminster has not blocked all their plans.

A Children's Commissioner for Wales was set up over a year ago.

The Wales (Health) Bill put in place the Assembly's key reforms for the NHS in Wales.

Among other measures, the Act secures, indeed strengthens, the 22 Wales Community Health Councils.