I would like to start by thanking everyone who has signed up as a supporter of this motion. I am extremely pleased that backers have come from all groups on this authority, making it is a truly cross-party proposal.

As the motion states, in 2014, the UK Government recognised the Cornish as a national minority and pledged that there would be parity with the other Celtic nations.

This was a significant and wide-ranging commitment from the UK state. But this does not just cover culture, language and heritage. It covers public life, territorial integrity and governance.

It is my strong belief that we, as democratically-elected representatives of the people of Cornwall, should be coming together, in a positive way, to seek that central government delivers on that promise of parity of treatment for Cornwall.

Recent debates about devolution have been constrained by the view that it has to be within the framework of an “English” local government system.

And sadly, there has been little consideration of the type of devolution enjoyed in Wales and Scotland – that Cornwall merits and, I believe, has a right to expect.

Given where we are at the moment, cannot we see the present re-set as an opportunity to collectively demand a really significant new democratic settlement for Cornwall.

This Council has repeatedly argued that “national minority status” does lead to real and tangible benefits for Cornwall.

I am pleased that the present administration has been working on a memorandum of understanding with the Welsh Government / Welsh Parliament.

But surely, now is the time for all of us to unite and seek the same powers as enjoyed to the west of Offa’s Dyke – so that any partnership can be one of equals.

It heartens me that the present administration, just like the previous Liberal Democrat / Independent one, for continuing to argue that the Celtic nation of Cornwall should be represented as a full member of the British and Irish Council – on an equal footing with the other nations.

But there is an inconsistency with this fantastic aspiration, if we do not also make the case for democratic parity with the other Celtic parts of the UK through proper devolved powers.

In terms of national minority status, we have previously come together to oppose cross-border parliamentary seats and to support a tick-box on the 2021 census.

It therefore makes total logical sense to me that we come together, once again, to campaign for really meaningful devolution for Cornwall within the United Kingdom.