A leading member of Mebyon Kernow has described the ongoing chaos at a dysfunctional Westminster as ‘beyond satire’ and called for ‘meaningful devolution’ to “give the people of Cornwall more control over their own destiny.”

Speaking at a meeting of MK’s National Executive on Friday (8th July), Deputy Leader Cllr Loveday Jenkin said:

“The events of the last few days have shown that the Westminster system is dysfunctional and the recent chaos is simply beyond satire.

“Instead of focussing on the cost of living crisis and working to safeguard our important public services, the Conservative Government has selfishly been at war with itself. The manner in which the Prime Minister refused to resign, when it was clear he had lost the support of his MPs, was wrong. But the speed with which Tory MPs are launching leadership campaigns demonstrates how their personal ambition tainted proceedings.

“The over-centralised Westminster system is not working, and the ongoing political games in London will do nothing to improve the lives of people in Cornwall.”

Cllr Jenkin, who represents Crowan, Sithney and Wendron division on Cornwall Council, added:

“It is clear to me that the UK needs significant political reform, and that should include meaningful devolution, which will give the people of Cornwall more control over their own destiny.

“The proposed ‘county deal’ is inadequate and the idea of a ‘local government mayor’ is a nonsense. They should be ditched. At this time of political turmoil, we should make it clear that Cornwall needs parity with Wales and Scotland. A Cornish Parliament / Senedh Kernow within a fairer, more democratic and less centralised UK.”