December 2024

Devolution – “one and all” must come together

20 December 2024 – Posted by News, Opinion

The UK Government’s “English Devolution White Paper” was published on Monday 16th December. As expected, it did not include home rule for Cornwall. The document specified three potential tiers of new powers, though all were much less substantive than the democratic settlements enjoyed by the devolved administrations in Wales and Scotland. Cynics, such as me, would describe the new proposals as tweaks to local government, rather than Celtic-style devolution. The White Paper makes it clear that the Government will only allow…

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No good news in “devo” White Paper

16 December 2024 – Posted by News, Press Release

Following the publication of the UK Government’s “English Devolution White Paper,” Mebyon Kernow has issued an initial statement. The statement is as follows: “Mebyon Kernow is campaigning for a Cornish Devolution Bill, which reflects Cornwall’s nationhood and the national minority status of the Cornish. It is nonetheless extremely worrying that the Government’s ‘English Devolution’ White Paper is so dismissive of Cornwall’s aspirations. “The document appears to have identified three tiers of devolution – (1) a Foundation Strategic Authority (without a mayor)…

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MK condemns top-down housing target

13 December 2024 – Posted by News, Press Release
Cllr Andrew Long

Mebyon Kernow has hit out at the decision of the UK Government to impose a mandatory housing target of 4,421 units per annum on Cornwall. This is nearly 70% up on the present Local Plan target of 2,625. It is also roughly the same as the figure in the consultation document [4,454], showing that representations from Cornwall for a lower number have been ignored. MK councillor Andrew Long has described the new target as “both unsustainable and unachievable.” He added that…

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MK demands Cornish Devolution Bill

12 December 2024 – Posted by News, Press Release

Today marks the 23rd anniversary of the 50,000 declarations for a Cornish Assembly being delivered to 10 Downing Street and Mebyon Kernow has marked the occasion by calling for a Cornish Devolution Bill. This is a timely call as the UK Government has just confirmed that its English Devolution Bill / White Paper will be published next week. It also comes after statements from the Deputy Prime Minister and others that Cornwall needs to be part of a combined authority with…

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Mebyon Kernow comment on planning changes

9 December 2024 – Posted by News, Opinion
Comment from Cllr Dick Cole – Leader of Mebyon Kernow

The Deputy Prime Minister made a number of television appearances over the weekend to outline the Labour Government’s approach to planning. This was in advance of the publication of a revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). Angela Rayner spoke about overhauling planning rules and sometimes even bypassing local authorities, in order to remove “subjectiveness” from the system. Others from the Government have made statements about streamlining the planning process and rubberstamping development proposals. Obviously, planning is not just about housing, but…

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The latest from the Minister …

4 December 2024 – Posted by News, Press Release

The publication of the English Devolution Bill / White Paper is expected next week. On Monday, Noah Law, the Labour MP for St Austell and Newquay asked a parliamentary question of Jim McMahon, the Minister for Local Government and English Devolution, who was recently reported as stating that his preferred footprint for a “devolution deal” was “Devon and Cornwall.” His latest utterance was interesting. The full text of the exchange was as follows: Noah Law MP: “Given that the mayoral council…

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