Cornwall Council has just published the results of a ten-week public consultation into the so-called “devolution deal.”

The leader of the unitary authority has confirmed that her Conservative administration intends to push ahead with a mayor for Cornwall, even though feedback (6,105 responses) from the public consultation showed 69% of people were against a mayor. The Conservative Cabinet is preferring to emphasise the results of a “representative survey” of around one thousand people – which had 65% of people in favour of the deal and mayor – claiming there is a silent majority for the “deal.”

In a statement issued today, Mebyon Kernow – the Party for Cornwall said:

“MK members are extremely saddened at the ‘spin’ placed on the results of consultation, which was one-sided and full of exaggeration about the benefits of the ‘deal.’ It is ridiculous that the results of the Council’s own biased consultation are being so easily dismissed by the Council.

“We would nonetheless like to thank everyone who responded to the main questionnaire, sent in letters or attended public meetings and made the case for a more meaningful devolution for Cornwall.

“In the coming weeks, we will continue to push for a proper democratic settlement for Cornwall through our own parliament.”