One and all are welcome at this Saturday’s half-day Conference – “Devolution: the next steps” – which will take place in the Shire House Suite in Bodmin.
The event is not a traditional conference with lots of keynote speeches. Instead, there will be group discussion sessions, at which MK members and supporters will be able to feedback their views to MK’s National Executive. Doors open at 1.00, with the actual sessions commencing at 2.00.
The agenda is as follows:
Session one [2.00 – 3.20]
Cllr Dick Cole will open the event with a short verbal update on recent discussions around devolution for Cornwall. This will include reference to the so-called “devolution deal” recently promoted by Cornwall’s Conservatives and the emerging policies of the largest Westminster parties. A written briefing will also be available at the event, along with copies of MK’s policy document “Towards a Cornish Parliament.”
Discussion 1: Benefits of devolution [planning, housing and the environment]
When MK activists promote the case for greater powers for Cornwall, we often use the examples of planning and housing to demonstrate the benefits of devolution. In “Towards a Cornish Parliament,” we state that: “If there was a Cornish Parliament, all decisions about planning and housing could be taken in Cornwall. This would include the production of a Cornish National Planning Policy Framework to replace the NPPF produced by central government, which would allow policies and targets to be agreed locally without interference from Whitehall.” Likewise, such a Parliament would have the ability to properly control second homes and holiday lets, and put in place measures to better protect Cornwall’s environment.
We want your feedback on what focus we place on planning, housing and the environment in our future campaigns for meaningful devolution.
Discussion 2: Benefits of devolution [economy]
In “Towards a Cornish Parliament,” we note that: “The United Kingdom – even taking into account the devolved administrations in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales – is an over-centralised state, dominated by London and its hinterland.” It is little wonder that Cornwall is one of the poorest parts of the United Kingdom, as it has limited control over economic matters, while the funding to replace EU funds was less than half of what was promised.
We want your feedback on how we address economic matters in our future campaigns for meaningful devolution.
Break for tea and coffee [3.20 – 3.40]
Session two [3.40 – 5.00]
The second session of the event will commence with a short talk by Dr Garry Tregidga about his new publication “Cornish Democracy: Studies in Governance and Identity,” which includes contributions from a range of politicians, social scientists and political commentators.
Discussion 3: Benefits of devolution [public services]
MK is campaigning for a Cornish Parliament, which “would set the funding and policy framework for the majority of the public sector within Cornwall,” including local government, educational institutions, the health service and other public bodies. We also support the creation of a number of Cornwall-wide public bodies, which could include Cornish Heritage (taking over the responsibilities of “English Heritage” and “Historic England” in Cornwall) and Natural Cornwall (in place of “Natural England.”)
We want your feedback on how we incorporate the provision of public services into our future campaigns for meaningful devolution.
Discussion 4: Campaign priorities for greater self-government for Cornwall
Over the last couple of years, campaigns for more powers for Cornwall have included significant efforts from MK’s Cornwall Council team to argue for alternatives to the local government tweaks being promoted by other political parties, while the new cross-party AUOB (All Under One Banner) Kernow organisation has organised a number of marches and rallies.
There is so much more to do, and we want your feedback on how we boost the campaign for a Cornish Parliament.