At MK’s National Conference held on Saturday (23rd November), Party Leader Cllr Dick Cole gave a well-received speech about the present debate about devolution.

He praised Cornwall’s MPs and councillors for sending a clear collective message to Westminster since the July General Election, backing meaningful devolution for Cornwall, linked to a full recognition of its unique place within the United Kingdom and the national minority status of the Cornish.

But he condemned the failure of central government to respond to Cornwall’s repeated representations, and the comment of Jim McMahon (Minister of State for “Local Government and English Devolution”) that his preferred footprint for a devolution deal would be a “Devon and Cornwall” block.

Cllr Cole said Cornwall was at a pivotal moment and everyone needed to be bolder in making the case for proper devolution for Cornwall.

He said: “No to Devonwall. No to the Great South West. No to amorphous south west regional constructs that disrespect the territorial integrity of Cornwall.

“Yes to Celtic-style devolution through a Cornish Parliament.”

At the event, there were also discussions about MK’s campaign for greater powers for Cornwall and the top-down changes to planning, which include the imposition of an unsustainable housing target. A number of motions were also passed.

The Conference:

• Repeated its call for a cessation of all violence in the Middle East and for an end to arms sales to any participants in the conflict. Party members also called on Cornwall Council to ensure that its pension fund divests itself of investments in companies which supply arms to the region, and that the rulings from the International Court of Justice be enacted.
• Supported the right of the Chagossians to return to the Chagos Islands, and their right to self-determination.
• Backed calls for a properly funded body, devolved to Cornwall, for the protection of the environment, with wide-ranging powers of enforcement; along with associated measures to safeguard employees working in this industry.
• Backed a community-led approach to energy generation, as set out in the “Kernow Needs Energy For All’ document.
• Supported the campaign by Transformation Cornwall against modern slavery and for the rights of migrant workers.
• Called on central government to reverse its decision with regard to inheritance tax on family farms, in order to protect generational farming.