Transcript

NARRATOR

This was a royal rather than a state opening, but the open top carriage procession to Cardiff Bay kept some traditions alive. The Queen has opened countless Parliaments during the past half century, but surely none like this.

DAFYDD ELIS-THOMAS

We invite you all to join with us. You are here in the Chamber of the National Assembly for Wales, to celebrate this historic occasion.

NARRATOR

The Queen said the Assembly would extend a bridge into the future, a beginning and an opportunity.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II

This opening today marks a new and significant direction in the way Wales is governed. It is a moment of renewal, true to the spirit of Wales.

NARRATOR

The Prince of Wales spoke in Welsh of his heartfelt good wishes for the pioneers, the 60 new Assembly Members. The Queen signed a special edition of the Government of Wales Act, the bound volume a symbol of the transfer of powers from Westminster to Wales.

Charlotte Church, the 13-year-old soprano from Cardiff, sang a poem about the Assembly written by a Carmarthen schoolboy, Aaron Pritchard.

For the politicians, a sense of history – and humility.

ALUN MICHAEL

The low turnout in the Assembly elections shows that many people are still at best agnostic about the value of the Assembly. We must convince people – by the way we conduct ourselves, and by the decisions we take – of the value of the Assembly, and our capacity to improve their lives.

DAFYDD WIGLEY

The eyes of Wales are upon us. The people expect us to make a difference to their lives, and to the lives of their children. The eyes of the world are upon us too.

NARRATOR

Two 18-year-olds from Aberystwyth presented the Assembly Twls, a symbol made from the coal and steel of Wales' industrial past. But today was more about the future.

CHILD 1

It's because it's the final chance for Wales to make their own decisions rather than London.

CHILD 2

The Assembly is important because it gives the people of Wales a voice of their own.

CHILD 3

This is a historic day for Wales because we haven't had a government for 600 years.

NARRATOR

And later the Prime Minister arrived to join in the celebrations.

TONY BLAIR

We are proud to have been a government that's delivered it, but I think that this is really a day to celebrate Wales, to celebrate the partnership that we have, and to make sure that that partnership continues to deliver for people.

DAVID CORNOCK

This was a relaxed, informal opening ceremony, far removed from the trappings of Westminster. The 60 new Assembly Members are determined that it will usher in a new type of politics for the 21st century. David Cornock, BBC Wales Today, the National Assembly for Wales.