At a full council meeting this morning, Cornwall Council passed a motion in favour of greater autonomy for Cornwall, and will request that Westminster formally recognise Cornwall as one of the five nations of the United Kingdom. The motion was presented by Cllr Dick Cole, Mebyon Kernow Councillor for St Dennis and St Enoder, and seconded by Cllr Rory Gow, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Mullion and St Keverne. 

Cllr Cole gave an opening statement on the bill, in it he stated:

“We have a thousand years of history, and a myriad of reasons – cultural, economic, environmental, linguistic, social – as to why we need to stand together and maintain our unity in pushing for a meaningful and bespoke settlement for Cornwall.”

Nearly all parties and many independent councillors spoke in favour of the motion, aside from Reform UK. Amongst those in the Reform Group opposing the motion was Rowland O’Connor, Councillor for St Columb Major, St Mawgan & St Wenn who stated:

“I identify as Cornish, but also as British. It feels like I am being asked to choose between one or the other. I refuse that… I am proud to be both.”

Cllr O’Connor also claimed that moving to a level 3 devolution deal would “add a new layer of bureaucracy and a potentially higher level of administrative costs, diverting resources away from vital economic initiatives.” 

Those who have campaigned on the issue disagree, however, claiming that the ability to develop economic and social policy away from Westminster would permit Cornwall Council to take a more direct approach in solving the issues that affect Cornish people. Reform’s position on this matter likely originates in their nationwide Doge (Department of Government Efficiency) efforts, seeing partial implementation in local authorities, such as Kent County Council. 

The push for Cornish devolution comes in light of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, now on its second reading in the House of Commons. According to campaigners and elected representatives, the Bill doesn’t provide an adequate place for Cornwall as a Celtic nation. These figures point out the way in which devolution was won by Wales and Scotland, and how they have seen a development in their cultural and political autonomy. They want to see the same process undertaken in Cornwall. 

The other major party groups on Cornwall Council voted in favour of the bill, including the Liberal Democrat, Labour, and Green groups. 

Image Via: Cobblestone Media.