Martin Shipton will launch his brand new title Poor Man's Parliament at the Senedd (National Assembly building).

2011 is perhaps the most crucial year in the history of the National Assembly for Wales since the referendum to establish it in 1997 and the first elections in 1999. The timely publication of Poor Man's Parliament provides through its record of the first ten years of the Assembly's life and the issues that surface during that time. For author Martin Shipton, Chief Reporter at the Western Mail and a pro-devolutionist, the limited law-making powers and procedures of the original devolution settlement have been central. How could the Assembly work within these limitations? What tensions would result in between Cardiff and Westminster? Were all the political parties committed even to the powers available? Was democracy and government in Wales held back?

Shipton's analysis is an eye-opening and informative exploration of what has been achieved and what might have been. And woven into the narrative of issues and government is a second, telling narrative of political machination and drama. The Assembly has had its fair share of eye-catching drama: the Alun Michael/Rhodri Morgan leadership election, the Mike German credit card incident, Ron Davies's and Rod Richard's private lives spilling into politics, the ongoing tensions at the top of Plaid Cymru, shock election results, Peter Law's defection from Labour. And behind the scenes a reverse of Tory attitudes towards devolution, obstructiveness within the Labour Party in Wales and a Parliament in Westminster that either failed to understand Welsh devolution or tired to hang on to its powers despite the political settlement.

Those who think that nothing happens at the Assembly will read Poor Man's Parliament and wonder how they could be so wrong.

Wednesday 16th Feb 6pm - Media Briefing Room, Senedd. Please email seren@serenbooks.com for an invite.