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This article analyses the fourth elections to the National Assembly for Wales (Assembly). It tracks some important longitudinal themes and early trends in the development of a more distinctive Welsh politics post-devolution. We delineate the principal campaign themes and dynamics; and chronicle shifts in opinion polling and electoral support for the main political parties. The election results are analysed and contextualised within the wider UK political and electoral context, as well as against the benchmark of the traditional ‘second-order’ thesis. The article considers the profile of the new Assembly with regard to the gender and ethnic profile of its Assembly Members (AMs). Finally, it assesses the overall operation of the electoral system with specific regard to the proportionality of results and the legal restriction on dual candidacy.
