What Is 3rd National Assembly for Wales

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Last updated: April 17, 2026

Quick Answer: The 3rd National Assembly for Wales served from 2003 to 2007, following elections held on May 1, 2003, and marked a shift toward stronger devolved governance in Wales under the Government of Wales Act 1998.

Key Facts

2003 election held on May 1 with a 33.8% voter turnout
60 elected Members of the National Assembly for Wales (AMs)
Labour formed a minority government led by Rhodri Morgan
First use of regional list system under Additional Member System (AMS)
Assembly gained enhanced executive powers over health, education, and transport

Overview

The 3rd National Assembly for Wales was a pivotal legislative term that ran from May 2003 to May 2007, following elections held on May 1, 2003. It represented a maturing phase in Welsh devolution, with the Assembly assuming greater responsibility for public services and policy development.

Comprising 60 Members of the National Assembly for Wales (AMs), this term saw the continuation of the Additional Member System (AMS) for elections and the first full term under a minority Labour government led by First Minister Rhodri Morgan. The Assembly’s role in shaping Welsh legislation and scrutinizing the executive expanded significantly during this period.

60 AMs were elected across 40 constituencies and 5 electoral regions using the Additional Member System, ensuring proportional representation.
The 2003 election recorded a 33.8% voter turnout, one of the lowest in devolved elections, raising concerns about political engagement.
Labour won 30 seats, falling short of a majority, leading to a minority government—the first in the Assembly’s history.
The Plaid Cymru opposition held 12 seats, while the Conservatives secured 11, and the Liberal Democrats won 6, with 1 independent.
This Assembly term saw the first use of standing orders allowing committees to initiate inquiries independently, enhancing legislative scrutiny.

How It Works

The 3rd National Assembly operated under the devolved powers granted by the Government of Wales Act 1998, with responsibilities over key domestic areas such as health, education, and transport.

Term: The Assembly served a fixed four-year term from May 2003 to May 2007, following the second devolved election in Wales. This period established precedents for minority governance and cross-party cooperation.
Executive Formation: Rhodri Morgan became First Minister after Labour failed to secure a majority, leading to a minority administration without a formal coalition.
Legislative Powers: While the Assembly could not pass primary legislation yet, it issued Measures and secondary legislation with UK Parliament approval.
Committee System: Departmental committees, such as the Health and Social Services Committee, conducted in-depth inquiries and held ministers accountable.
Regional Representation: The five electoral regions (Mid and West Wales, South Wales West, etc.) each elected four additional members to balance proportionality.
Budget Control: The Assembly approved a £11.5 billion budget in 2005, allocating funds across health, education, and economic development.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 3rd National Assembly with previous and subsequent terms to highlight key developments in Welsh devolution.

Feature	2nd Assembly (1999–2003)	3rd Assembly (2003–2007)	4th Assembly (2007–2011)
Total AMs	60	60	60
Governing Party	Labour–Liberal Democrat coalition	Labour minority government	Labour–Plaid Cymru coalition
Turnout	45.5%	33.8%	43.8%
First Minister	Alun Michael, then Rhodri Morgan	Rhodri Morgan	Rhodri Morgan, then Carwyn Jones
Key Legislation	Establishment of devolved committees	Free prescriptions policy introduced	Government of Wales Act 2006 implemented

This table illustrates the evolution of governance models and public engagement. The 3rd Assembly’s minority government was a turning point, demonstrating that stable administration was possible without a majority. It also paved the way for future coalition-building and greater legislative autonomy.

Why It Matters

The 3rd National Assembly for Wales played a crucial role in advancing devolution and institutional maturity in Welsh politics. Its legacy includes stronger committee independence, policy innovation, and the normalization of minority governance.

The free prescription policy was introduced in 2007, a landmark decision first debated during this term, saving patients £150 million annually.
Enhanced committee scrutiny led to more transparent decision-making, influencing future reforms in legislative oversight.
The minority government proved resilient, relying on issue-by-issue consensus rather than formal coalitions.
It laid groundwork for the Government of Wales Act 2006, which expanded legislative powers in the next term.
Public engagement initiatives, despite low turnout, prompted later efforts to boost voter participation.
The term solidified Cardiff Bay as the center of Welsh political life, reinforcing national identity.

Ultimately, the 3rd National Assembly demonstrated that devolved institutions could adapt and grow, setting the stage for Wales’ continued journey toward self-governance.