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MK DISBELIEF AT LOSS OF CONVERGENCE MATCH-FUNDING

ConanJenkin — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 08:38:21 +0000

The Party for Cornwall is concerned at impact on jobs and local business

Cllr Dick Cole, the Leader of Mebyon Kernow, has hit out at the Government freeze on match funding for Cornwall’s Convergence programme, describing the decision as “foolhardy” and “extremely damaging to the Cornish economy.”
The Treasury has issued a moratorium to the South West Regional Development Agency, which presently administers the scheme, to not provide any further funding for projects under the Convergence programme. A wide range of projects which would give a boost to business and local employment prospects are now under threat.
This follows severe cuts in public spending already announced for Cornwall. The unitary Council has been told to cut over £13 million from its budget for this financial year, while the Building Schools for the Future project has been sidelined. This means that £75 million to refurbish six schools in the first wave has been lost and future funding for school buildings will no longer be available.
Cllr Dick Cole claims that the new Coalition Government has done nothing to address the historic under-funding of public services in Cornwall and is now cutting the investment that is needed to safeguard the Cornish economy. He said:
“Public sector cuts will have an especially adverse impact on Cornwall, if we continue to receive less than our fair share of government expenditure in the first instance.
“It is a disgrace that central government appears unwilling to match-fund EU structural funding which we only receive because of our poor economic performance and our poverty. This lack of investment could cost hundreds of jobs in Cornwall and see many businesses fail.”

MK ANGER AT PROPOSAL FOR DEVONWALL CONSTITUENCY

ConanJenkin — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 08:35:37 +0000

Mebyon Kernow demands respect for Cornish border

Mebyon Kernow councillors have hit out at plans from the Conservative / Liberal Democrat Coalition for a review of parliamentary constituencies which could lead to a “Devon and Cornwall” cross-border seat.
The Government this week announced plans for a referendum on an Alternative Vote system for the next General Election, but also proposed a reduction in the number of seats from 650 to 600. Each constituency would have around 78,000 voters and it has been stated that the constituencies should not deviate by more than 5% from this average size. It has been widely predicted that this would lead to a cross-Tamar constituency.
Speaking on behalf of MK, Cornwall Councillor Andrew Long (Callington) said:
“Mebyon Kernow is disappointed that the referendum is only for the Alternative Vote and not a more proportional voting system. And we are extremely angry that the Government may force a cross-Tamar constituency on Cornwall.
“As a democratically-elected councillor from South East Cornwall, I consider it unbelievable that the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats can so casually ignore the boundaries of the historic nation of Cornwall.
“MK will fight to ensure that future Cornish constituencies in East Cornwall will not be compromised through the merger of Cornish communities into a dysfunctional seat comprising parts of Devon.”
Camborne councillor Stuart Cullimore meanwhile accused the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, who introduced the plans in Parliament, as “disrespectful to Cornwall.”
In the debate, North Cornwall MP Dan Rogerson questioned Clegg about the need to respect the “boundary between Cornwall and England,” but Clegg told the House of Commons that the need for equal sized constituencies would outweigh all other considerations.
Cllr Cullimore said:
“I am appalled that the leadership of the Liberal Democrat Party refuses to respect the integrity of Cornwall and is actively promoting a Devonwall constituency.
“We have just been through a General Election and heard Lib Dem soundbite after Lib Dem soundbite about standing up for Cornwall. But now that they are in government with the Tories, they do not even now where Cornwall starts and finishes.”

BUDGET IS REGRESSIVE AND UNFAIR ON THE LESS-WELL-OFF

ConanJenkin — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 08:48:46 +0000

Mebyon Kernow repeats call for fair funding for Cornwall

Mebyon Kernow – the Party for Cornwall has condemned the first budget from the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition, which includes massive cuts in public spending as well as an increase in VAT from January.
The Party has rubbished claims from the Conservatives and their Liberal Democrat allies that the budget is in some way “progressive” and “fair,” pointing out that a study from The Institute for Fiscal Studies shows the cuts “will hit Britain’s poorest families six times harder than the richest.”

ANGER AT CUTS IN PUBLIC SPENDING AND BENEFITS
Mebyon Kernow is extremely worried about the extent and depth of cuts in public spending, as well as the cuts to benefits.
MK Deputy Leader Andrew Long, who represents Callington on Cornwall Council, branded the cuts as “swinging and unfair.”
“We accept that the deficit in the UK's finances must be tackled, though public services and the needs of the vulnerable must be protected.
“But the cuts proposed by the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats will fall hardest on poorer households, who are more likely to be dependent on public services and benefits, which we consider unacceptable. They could also be among the thousands of people who will lose their jobs.
“We believe it is simply not right for people on lower incomes to pay the price for the economic problems, much of which was caused by the recent excesses of the bankers.
“Mebyon Kernow is also worried that the acceleration of deep spending cuts could damage the economic recovery which everyone agrees is still very fragile, making the situation much, much worse.”

DISQUIET AT INCREASE IN VAT
Mebyon Kernow is opposed to the proposal for VAT to rise from 17.5% to 20% from January 2011. Commenting on behalf of the Party, Stuart Cullimore, Cornwall Councillor for Camborne West, also hit out at the Liberal Democrats.
“MK is opposed at the proposal to increase VAT. It is an unfair and regressive tax, which is likely to disproportionately punish the less-well-off.
“We are especially appalled at the Liberal Democrats for going along with the VAT rise. Not so long ago, they were out on the campaign trail telling one and all in Cornwall that only they could stop the Conservatives, even campaigning against the ‘Tory VAT bombshell …’
“And yet here they are, only weeks later, lining up with the Conservatives to help impose their VAT bombshell.”

MEBYON KERNOW CALL FOR FAIR TAXATION
MK believes that there needs to be radical overhaul of the taxation system in the United Kingdom. Party Leader Dick Cole, who serves St Enoder division on Cornwall Council, says:
“It is our belief that fair taxes should play a greater part in reducing the deficit and paying for public services. Poorer families should pay less tax. Direct taxes such as VAT and council tax, which fall hardest on the less-well-off should be reduced, while high earners should pay their fair share.
“The Conservative-Liberal Democrat budget fails to address the inequality of taxation, even choosing to increase VAT. It also fails to address the scandal of tax avoidance and tax evasion, which is costing the Treasury many billions each year.
“It is unacceptable that the Government seeks to punish ordinary families and the less-well-off, while allowing wealthy people and their tax accountants to cheat the system.”

FAIR FUNDING FOR CORNWALL
Mebyon Kernow has also expressed its anger that the budget does not seek to address the historic underfunding of Cornwall. Cllr Cole said:
“During the General Election, there was widespread political support for MK’s call for a Commission to investigate the full extent of Government under-funding of Cornwall.
“We note that the three Lib Dem MPs have tabled an Early Day Motion which ‘calls on the Government to set up an independent funding commission similar to the Holtham Commission in Wales to examine the level of under-funding of Cornish services.’

“But this is inadequate. With three Conservative and three Liberal Democrat MPs in the administration, it is shocking that we have heard nothing from Cameron or Clegg, Osborne or Cable on this matter.
“We must question the commitment of these Government ministers to fair funding for Cornwall and I challenge all Cornish MPs to make the Commission a reality.
“Cornwall needs the Government to agree to a Commission and to abide by its findings, guaranteeing our communities their fair share of central government funding, which will help us cope with the difficult economic times that lie ahead.”

LOCAL ENTREPENEUR TO STAND IN ILLOGAN

ConanJenkin — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 14:05:46 +0000

Stephen Richardson is MK candidate for by-election

Stephen Richardson, 46, who owns a fish & chip shop in Illogan Highway, will be standing for MK in a by-election for a seat on the Illogan Parish Council.
Mr Richardson said:
“I moved to Cornwall almost two years ago with my family. The local community has always been very welcoming and we have embraced and enjoyed Cornish culture. However, I believe that the Cornish identity is under threat - which is a ridiculous state of affairs. There seem to be any number of people lining up to belittle the Cornish way of life, to make it change or deny Cornish people their identity.
“That is why I have joined Mebyon Kernow – The Party for Cornwall. They work for ALL of the people of Cornwall and their policies are not dictated by the big London based political parties.
“I would be very proud to be able to put something back into the community that has welcomed me so unreservedly. There are several issues in Illogan that need to be addressed. Besides encouraging the celebration and expression of Cornish culture I want to try and help the Illogan Allotment Society to find land that could be used for allotments.
“Mebyon Kernow has strong environmental policies. Allotments are an excellent example of self-sustaining and educational projects that local communities can organize for themselves.”
The election to elect a Parish Councillor for the Illogan ward of the Illogan Parish Council is to be held on Thursday June 24th.

MK DISBELIEF AT LIB DEM DEAL WITH CONSERVATIVES

ConanJenkin — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 13:52:15 +0000

Liberal Democrat actions are opposite of what they said on doorstep

Mebyon Kernow has expressed disbelief at the decision of the Liberal Democrats to form a coalition with the Conservative Party.
MK members have noted that this is in stark contrast to Liberal Democrat pronouncements during the actual election campaign, when the Lib Dems promoted themselves as the party best-placed to stop the Tories.
Commenting on behalf of MK team of candidates, Loveday Jenkin (Camborne and Redruth) said:
“Leaflet after leaflet claimed that only the Lib Dems could stop the Tories and that a vote for Labour, MK or any of the smaller parties would let the Conservatives in the backdoor. They encouraged progressive voters to vote tactically.
“If you study their literature from the recent campaign, you will find them telling us that ‘the Conservatives are out of touch,’ ‘cannot be trusted’ while Paddy Ashdown even told us that ‘Cornwall cannot afford another Conservative Government’.”
“And yet, within hours of the results, the Lib Dems had agreed a deal with the Conservatives – going against everything they said during the election contest.
“It is little wonder that local voters feel dismayed at what has happened and many people who voted tactically feel conned.”

Mebyon Kernow is also concerned at the nature and severity of cuts to the public sector now that David Cameron is in Downing Street.
With this in mind, Party Leader Cllr Dick Cole has challenged Cornwall’s six MPs to back MK’s call for a Commission to investigate fair funding for Cornwall.
“We are extremely concerned at the speed and likely depth of cuts to public services proposed by the coalition. We all know that Cornwall receives less funding than other parts of the UK and is particularly vulnerable to swinging Conservative cuts.
“The immediate challenge for Cornwall’s MPs must be to protect our vital services and to win a Commission to investigate how Cornwall is under-funded and a binding Government commitment to right past wrongs.”