Assembly Line? The Experiences and Development of new Assembly Members

A new Hansard Society briefing paper, Assembly Line? The Experiences and Development of new Assembly Members, examines how AMs newly elected in 2011 have made the transition from members of the public to elected representatives of the National Assembly for Wales. Evidence from the study shows:

• The new AMs initially worked an average 49-hour week (plus nine hours travel). One year later they worked an average 57-hour week;
• In their first year, new AMs’ satisfaction with their work-life balance decreased considerably. Initially 83% were ‘fairly satisfied’ and 17% ‘not very satisfied’. One year on, 33% were ‘fairly satisfied’ and 50% ‘not very satisfied’
• They split their working time fairly evenly between debates in the Chamber (22%), committee work (21%), constituency casework (21%) and constituency meetings and events (18%);
• The new AMs were generally satisfied with the induction provided   but would have benefited from more support in setting up their offices in the Assembly and the constituency;
• Half of the survey respondents said the AM salary (£53,852) represented a salary increase; for the other half it was a decrease or no change from their previous employment;

The research also highlights new AMs’ satisfaction with committee work in contrast to frustration with the way in which other aspects of the Assembly work – in particular plenary debates, financial scrutiny and First Minister’s Questions. The new AMs are generally critical of the media coverage of the Assembly.

Matt Korris, author of Assembly Line? The Experiences and Development of new Assembly Members, commented: ‘These findings provide an insight into the lives of the new AMs and the challenges they face. Understandably they have complaints and frustrations about the role, but above all they draw great satisfaction from it, particularly the opportunities it affords them to help others through their constituency work. But there is clearly less satisfaction with the Assembly aspects of their role as legislators. As the debate about the future of the Assembly and its powers continues, political space is therefore needed for an inclusive discussion transcending party lines, focusing on the challenges AMs share in common if these issues are ever to be properly discussed.’

For further information, contact Virginia Gibbons at the Hansard Society on 020 7710 6079 or 07812 765 552 or email comms@hansardsociety.org.uk

Watch the full event

Editors’ Notes

• Assembly Line? The Experiences and Development of new Assembly Members, will be discussed at a free event at 11.30am on Wednesday January 23, Pierhead Main Hall, Cardiff with Matt Korris, Senior Researcher, Hansard Society, Janet Finch-Saunders AM, Julie Morgan AM and Simon Thomas AM. The Presiding Officer, Rosemary Butler AM will open the event and the debate will be chaired by Laura McAllister, Professor of Governance, Liverpool University. To attend, email Assembly.bookings@wales.gov.uk or phone 0845 010 5500

• The Hansard Society is the UK's leading independent, non-partisan political research and education charity.
• Research for Assembly Line? The Experiences and Development of new Assembly Members was part-funded by the National Assembly
• This study forms part of a wider comparative study the Hansard Society has conducted into the experiences of newly elected representatives at Westminster, Holyrood and the Dáil Éireann, the full results of which will be published later in 2013.