Mebyon Kernow – the Party for Cornwall has hit out at the comments of Jim McMahon, the Minister of State for “Local Government and English Devolution.”

It has been widely reported that, a meeting of the “South West Councils” organisation on Thursday 14th November, he outlined the Government’s emerging approach to “devolution.” In particular, it has been widely reported that he stated his preferred footprint for a “devolution deal” would be “Devon and Cornwall.”

Commenting on the news, MK leader Cllr Dick Cole said:

“Since the election of the new Government in July, politicians have been sending a clear collective message to Westminster. We have backed meaningful devolution for Cornwall, linked to a full recognition of Cornwall’s unique place within the United Kingdom and the national minority status of the Cornish.

“It is shocking that Mr McMahon seems to be ignoring representations from Cornwall. We reject the concept of any ‘Devonwall’ combined authority deal and repeat our call for a meaningful Celtic-style devolution settlement, which gives us greater parity with Scotland and Wales.

“Some politicians are saying that we should wait to see what is included in the upcoming ‘English Devolution Bill.’ I disagree. Cornwall’s MPs and others should be sending strong representations to Jim McMahon, Keir Starmer, etc, demanding a bespoke Cornwall Devolution Deal that delivers for Cornwall.”

In the afternoon session of MK’s National Conference, taking place on Saturday [23rd November] at 2.00, Cllr Dick Cole’s keynote address will focus on the present developments with regard to the ongoing devolution debate and what the Labour Government could mean for Cornish aspirations.

The Conference is taking place at Lys Kernow (Council Offices) in Truro, between 10.00 and 4.00.