Motion to Cornwall Council: Devonwall seat would be against articles of Framework Convention

The agenda for next Tuesday’s meeting of Full Council (26th April) has just been published.

Motions for discussion include one that I have tabled to oppose the upcoming parliamentary boundary review and the inevitable creation of a Devonwall Constituency. This specifically links opposition to the Devonwall seat to the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities

The motion is as follows:

This Council writes to the UK Government to:
- object to the commencement of the Boundary Review of parliamentary constituencies, as guided by the Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act, which would inevitably lead to a cross-Tamar Devonwall constituency;
- point out, in the strongest possible terms, that the Boundary Review is against articles within the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities; and
- challenge ministers to revisit the Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act, in order to ensure that the territorial integrity of Cornwall and its historic border are respected in the provision of parliamentary seats.

The motion has been seconded by Cllr Andrew Long, and the additional supporters are Cllr Loveday Jenkin, Cllr Andrewes (Green) and Cllr Heyward (Independent).

The Liberal Democrats have meanwhile tabled a motion about St Piran’s Day. Their motion is as follows:

This Council:-
Notes that St Andrew’s Day is an optional holiday in Scotland;
Notes proposals for St David’s Day to be a holiday in Wales;
And sees no reason why St Piran’s Day should not be similarly celebrated in Cornwall.
The Council therefore calls upon the administration to ensure that the freedom to celebrate St Piran’s Day as a public holiday is one of the new powers negotiated as part of the second stage of the “Case for Cornwall” package.