On Tuesday, the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill returned to the House of Commons, when Lords amendments to the proposed legislation were considered.  

North Cornwall MP Ben Maguire was in attendance. He told the chamber that, in November last year, the Secretary of State had agreed to “explore a bespoke deal for Cornwall,” but that “five months later, the Bill has progressed through both Houses and still we have nothing in writing about that bespoke Cornwall-only deal, or even provisions to allow for one.” He added that the UK Government were side-stepping their obligations to the Cornish and Cornwall through the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.

Sadly, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Devolution, Faith and State completely ignored Ben Maguire’s comments and failed to even mention Cornwall in her closing statements.

Speaking on behalf of MK, Party Leader Cllr Dick Cole said: “Once again, it seems that Cornwall is the UK’s invisible nation and Ministers in the UK Government are failing to follow-up on their ‘warm words’ as uttered in previous stages of the debate around the so-called devolution bill. It remains the case that MK wants to see a proper Cornwall Devolution Bill that properly acknowledges and delivers on the national minority status of the Cornish.”

Further detailed comment to follow.