( also fml the National Assembly for Wales )
a separate parliament for Wales, based in Cardiff . It is made up of 60 Assembly Members . Forty of them are directly elected to represent constituencies and 20 are elected to represent regions of Wales using a form of proportional representation . The Welsh Assembly began work in 1999. It cannot make its own laws or raise taxes, but it has the power to develop and carry out policies affecting Wales in areas including education, culture, health, agriculture, the environment, tourism and the Welsh language. It is led by a First Minister who is chosen by the Assembly and who chooses the other Assembly Ministers to make up a cabinet .
Compare Northern Ireland Assembly , Scottish Parliament . ➡ note at devolution .