Article by Cllr Dick Cole published in the Cornish Guardian newspaper (11th September 2024)

Three of Cornwall’s new Labour MPs made their maiden speeches in the House of Commons last week. Noah Law (St Austell and Newquay) spoke about Cornwall’s distinct Celtic heritage and national pride, plus the national minority status of its people, adding that “Cornwall’s heritage is not just a relic of the past but a living, breathing part of our identity, shaping our values and aspirations as a community.”

Jayne Kirkham (Truro and Falmouth) said that “Cornwall, with its proud and independent heritage, deserves better,” while Perran Moon (Camborne and Redruth) also spoke about national minority status and how “our language, our culture and our heritage, as well as our economic potential” mark out Cornwall on this island. I was particularly pleased that Perran went on to state that his focus “will be to persuade the Government that the most appropriate devolution arrangement for Cornwall is an Assembly similar to that of our Celtic cousins in Wales.” This is a very symbolic statement, and it should be noted that Liberal Democrat MPs Andrew George and Ben Maguire have already also called for a Cornish Assembly.

This comes at a crucial time in the devolution debate, especially as the ruling administration on Plymouth City Council has written to the UK Government suggesting that a “peninsula-wide [devolution] deal for Cornwall, Devon, Plymouth and Torbay” should be explored. As the leader of Mebyon Kernow, it will surprise no-one that I will oppose any such cross-Tamar arrangement.

A meeting was held in the council offices in Truro on Friday 30th August. I understand it principally involved the Conservative leader of Cornwall Council, plus Cornwall’s MPs and the leaders of the Labour and Liberal Democrat groups on the authority. At this gathering, it was agreed that a letter be sent to the Deputy Prime Minister calling for  “greater autonomy and devolution for Cornwall.”

I was pleased to be invited to co-sign the letter on behalf of the MK/Green Group. The other signatories were all six MPs plus Cllr Linda Taylor (Conservative), Cllr Julian German (Independent), Cllr Colin Martin (Liberal Democrat) and Cllr Kate Ewert (Labour).

The letter makes it clear that it is the view of signatories that “Cornwall’s geography, culture and language set it apart as a proud Celtic nation” and that we are seeking a “much broader and deeper devolution settlement enshrined in law that reflects the status Cornwall shares with Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in all areas of economic, social, political and cultural life …”

I hope that this communication will be well-received by the UK Government and there will soon be real consideration of meaningful devolution for Cornwall.