 Free bus travel for pensioners is an assembly government achievement |
It's a question many people will ask themselves as they decide whether to vote on 1 May - and if they do, which party to vote for. But is that the relevant question?
In fact, it should be: "What has the Welsh Assembly Government ever done for us?"
That is because the assembly is merely the institution. It is the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) which is in charge.
Confused? Well, think of the kind of of distinction between the Westminster parliament and Tony Blair's government in Whitehall...WAG would be Blair's bunch.
The National Assembly was heralded at the time of its inception four years ago as a new democratic voice for Wales, bringing decision-making closer to the people.
An answer to all of Wales' ills? I can't remember anyone actually saying that, but there were, no doubt, high expectations.
Wales today may not feel that different to Wales in 1999. But the parties in government in the Assembly - first Labour alone, then also the Liberal Democrats in coalition with them - will highlight some of the changes it has introduced.
Here are a few of them:
- Free local bus travel for pensioners
- Assembly learning grants to offset the cost of tuition fees
- The abolition of compulsory school tests for seven-year-olds
- A freeze on prescription charges
- A Children's Commissioner for Wales
Labour and the Liberal Democrats will both claim credit for these programmes. Plaid Cymru and the Conservatives will say the government could, and should, have done much more.
The past four years have been a mixed bag for Labour. Just short of an overall majority, a shaky start resulted in the fall of First Secretary Alun Michael.
His successor, the newly-titled First Minister Rhodri Morgan, sought stability through partnership with the Liberal Democrats. That, he says, has served Wales well.
 | The assembly story so far Sept 1997: Wales says Yes May 1999: First election Feb 2000: Alun Michael resigns Oct 2000: Lib-Lab coalition |
The Liberal Democrats can undoubtedly claim success in the assembly's first term - claiming a share of power in government despite winning just six seats.
Plaid Cymru exceeded their own expectations in May 1999, getting 17 AMs elected. The Conservatives managed nine.
As the opposition parties their job has been to hold the government to account, and to challenge its policies. Both will focus in this election campaign on areas like health and the economy, where they say the assembly government has failed.
One-Minute World News 
News services
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
