A new democratic settlement for Cornwall

My article in this coming week’s Cornish Guardian will, rather unpredictably, focus on MK’s latest campaign initiative in support of a Cornish Assembly. The preview is as follows:

On St Piran’s Day, Mebyon Kernow launched a new publication titled “Towards a National Assembly of Cornwall.”

The document sets out how the devolution of significant political powers to Cornwall, bringing the majority of the public sector under local democratic control, could work for our local communities.

The document dispels the common misrepresentation that such an Assembly would somehow be independent of the UK, clearly stating that “it would be an integral and empowered part of the governance of the United Kingdom.” It also dismisses the claim that devolution equates to nothing more than local government reform.

Devolution has already led to the establishment of a Scottish Parliament, Assemblies for Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as an Assembly for London. These devolved institutions have certainly grown in stature and authority in recent years, and constitutional change is rightly rising up the political agenda.

But the reality for the people of Cornwall is that democratically elected and locally accountable politicians presently have limited say over vast amounts of public expenditure in our area.

Westminster retains control over most political decisions of real significance while, all too often, government bodies and quangos which develop key strategies and policies are located outside of Cornwall. They inevitably fail to recognise the strengths of Cornwall or understand the special needs of our communities.

Make no mistake, the United Kingdom – even taking into account the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – is an over-centralised state, dominated by London and the South East of England.

The Coalition’s Business Secretary Vince Cable has even warned that London was fast “becoming a giant suction machine draining the life out of the rest of the country.”

I believe that the unequal constitutional relationships between the various parts of the UK need to be addressed, and action taken to combat the centralising influence of London.

I also believe that there should be a respectful and wide-ranging debate about the future governance of the whole of the United Kingdom, with our call for a National Assembly of Cornwall at the very heart of that debate.

If you want to find out more, MK’s new document can be downloaded from www.mebyonkernow.org or a paper copy requested from MK, Meridian House, Heron Way, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 2XN.

MK is seeking the views of local residents and there is a consultation period until 30th June 2014. Comments on the document can be sent to the above address, or by email to info@mebyonkernow.org. 

St Piran’s Oratory on St Piran’s Day

Last week, I agreed to join the Board of the St Piran Trust which is masterminding the present re-excavation of St Piran’s Oratory near Perranporth.

I could not think of a better place to be this St Piran’s Day and, following the launch of “Towards a National Assembly of Cornwall” in Truro, I joined the volunteers on the site of the dig.

It is great to see this great building being uncovered once again, and the members of the St Piran Trust should be congratulated for their tenacity over the last fifteen years, in negotiating with a range of statutory bodies, to ensure that the excavation could take place.

Let us hope that this excavation is the first step towards the full re-emergence of this most iconic structure, a vital element of Cornwall’s historic past and also a significant symbol of Cornishness today and into the future.

Launch of “Towards a National Assembly of Cornwall”

Thanks to everyone who helped out at the launch of Mebyon Kernow’s “Towards a National Assembly of Cornwall” document in Truro, today.

In particular, I would like to thank Cllr Loveday Jenkin, who compered the event, and congratulate Cllr Andrew Long, Cllr Rob Simmons (prospective parliamentary candidate for St Ives) and Cllr Stephen Richardson (prospective parliamentary candidate for Truro and Falmouth) for their impressive speeches and for making it such a professional event.

It was disappointing that more journalists did not attend the launch of such an important document, though it was great that a camera crew from the Welsh language television channel S4C were present.

The document can be downloaded from www.mebyonkernow.org or a paper copy requested from Mebyon Kernow - the Party for Cornwall, Meridian House, Heron Way, Truro, Kernow/Cornwall, TR1 2XN.

It is a consultation document for MK members and the wider population of Cornwall. The consultation period is open until 30th June 2014 and comments on this document can be sent to the above address or by email to: info@mebyonkernow.org.

Happy St Piran’s Day

Cornwall has a powerful national identity and a wonderful heritage. It includes the Cornish language, music, dance, sport and a range of traditions – all of which are vitally important to our sense of place and the very well-being of our local communities.

It is great to see a growing confidence in Cornwall and its identity, and it is my hope that one and all will be celebrating the distinctiveness of Cornwall today.

But I would like to repeat a key message that Mebyon Kernow makes around every St Piran’s Day.

The promotion of Cornish distinctiveness is not something that should be restricted to once a year in March. We should be doing all in our power, each and every day, to promote and enhance our identity and heritage.

MK to launch “Towards a National Assembly of Cornwall”

“Towards a National Assembly of Cornwall” (pictured above) will be officially launched tomorrow and pdf copies of the document will be posted on the MK website during St Piran’s Day.

There has been some early media coverage on the document. This included an unfortunate / ill-informed news story in the Western Morning News and a similar article on the www.thisiscornwall.co.uk website, which both claimed that MK wanted an Assembly with the same powers as an independent Scotland.

Journalist Rob McNamara has meanwhile posted an article about MK on the Huffington Post website. See: http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/rob-mcnamara/cornish-national-assembly_b_4882003.html

More news to follow tomorrow.