House of Lords reform - what about Cornwall?

Mebyon Kernow would welcome an end to the present unelected second chamber. It is wrong that hereditary peers (with no democratic mandate) and retired / defeated MPs and MEPs (appointed through political patronage) should be allowed such legislative influence.

However, we are angry that there will be no Cornish representatives in the new House of Lords, but 33 representatives for the wider south-west, elected via a list form of PR across a massive constituency stretching as far as Bristol and Tewkesbury.

Unlike Wales and Scotland, our territorial integrity has been ignored. It is wrong that we will not be allowed our own elected representatives and that Cornish interests will be submerged within those of a larger zone.

It is my view that central government is making a complete shambles of its political reform and trashing Cornwall’s historic and territorial integrity.

When it drew up plans for new Westminster constituencies, the Coalition refused to respect the Cornish border and forced through proposals that would lead to a Devonwall parliamentary seat.