This Saturday, I will be attending a Conference marking the tenth anniversary of the founding of the Cornish Constitutional Convention.
I was one of the three founders of this organisation and its Vice-chairman for the first few years. I have not been directly involved for a number of years, because I disagreed with its subsequent direction. This was particularly around the time of the “unitary council” debate, when the divisions between “local government” and “regional / national government” for Cornwall were unforgivably blurred by too many.
The Western Morning News is presently running a series of articles from Convention Chairman Bert Biscoe and, I have to say, I am more than a little annoyed. One quote from Bert, which has appeared in both yesterday’s and today’s paper, said:
“The campaign is not a nationalist or politically biased campaign. It is inclusive, serious about improving conditions and prospects for all those living in and doing business with Cornwall.”
As the Leader of Mebyon Kernow, I am offended by this statement. It is simply unacceptable for Bert Biscoe to, once again, imply that those of us who are happy to describe ourselves as Cornish nationalists, are somehow not inclusive.
I am extremely proud of the fact that MK is an inclusive and welcoming political party, that is campaigning for devolution to the historic nation of Cornwall (which obviously makes us nationalists) and a better deal for all the people of Cornwall. Or to paraphrase Mr Biscoe, we are “serious about improving conditions and prospects for all those living in and doing business with Cornwall.”
For the record, given that so many MK members have campaigned so hard for devolution to Cornwall during the last decade, I would like to put it on record that I am disappointed that a representative of MK has not been asked to address the conference.
The speakers will be Kevin Lavery, the Chief Executive of Cornwall Council, Conservative MP Sarah Newton and the Conservative leader of Cornwall Council Alec Robertson, Lib Dem MP Andrew George and Lib Dem Welsh Assembly member Mike German.
Wednesday, 21 July 2010
Cornish Constitutional Convention
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3 comments:
You would think the Leader of MK would be given chance to speak at the Convention.
Seems more like ego that you have not been included.
A small point of pedantry Mike German is no longer an assembly Member, he resigned his seat (now held by his wife) when he was elevated to the Lords a few weeks back.
I think it's an absolute disgrace that a representative from Mk has not been asked to address the conference.
Mr Biscoe's comment that - “The campaign is not a nationalist or politically biased campaign. It is inclusive, serious about improving conditions and prospects for all those living in and doing business with Cornwall” - clearly shows he has sold out to the English assimilation of Cornwall by ignoring CCC’s statement that:
"We, the People of Cornwall, must have a greater say in how we are governed.
We need a Cornish Assembly that can set the right democratic priorities for Cornwall
and provide a stronger voice for our communities in Britain, in Europe
and throughout the wider world."
I'm a Cornish national and therefore a nationalist, so it was vital that a member of MK should be addressing the Conference rather than English sycophants who are keen to show themselves as all ‘English’ and are prepared to let Cornish voices be hushed to further their own agendas.
As usual, Cornishman Andrew George will again make all the right noises, but will go along with the majority and will not reflect the CCC's statement that was endorsed by 50,000 signatures.
Kernow bys vyken? Not with the likes of those who are supposed to be representing Cornwall.
Shame on them.
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