On Saturday, Lys Kernow (New County Hall, Truro) hosted the annual Mebyon Kernow Conference. Led by Party Leader Dick Cole, Deputy Leader Loveday Jenkin, and Party Development Officer Michael Bunney, the event comes just a few months short of Mebyon Kernow’s 75th anniversary. Far from being the standard annual party conference, this year felt different – with a greater emphasis on youth engagement, proactive internationalism, and the current wave of pro-Cornish sentiment in local politics.

But if Mebyon Kernow want to succeed in their aim of providing greater autonomy for Cornwall, it is evident they must modernise. Seeking to stand candidates at Westminster, growing their membership, and building a coalition between the progressive vote in Cornwall and traditional Cornish nationalists, are absolutely vital steps if they want to succeed as the nations’ genuine voice.

Internationalism, Feminism, and Solidarity

MK’s progressive voice has often lent itself to solidarity with international struggle, especially for regional minorities such as in Catalunya or Galicia. In a presentation given by Kernow Rydh, Mebyon Kernow’s youth branch highlighted the work of members in providing support for struggles in Wales, Kurdistan, and Brittany.

This work includes the provision of support for MK’s sister parties – Plaid Cymru, and the Unvaniezh Demokratel Breizh in Brittany. This year saw the attendance of Kernow Rydh members at the Plaid Cymru conference in Swansea, with MK members and organisers highlighting the lessons learned from the October by-election win of Lindsay Whittle against their closest regional adversary, Reform UK.

Much of this was done by Kernow Rydh with the European Free Alliance (EFA) which works to campaign for the political and cultural autonomy of stateless groups in Europe. In commendation of this, by unanimous vote, the conference passed a motion that included Kernow Rydh on the National Executive Committee of the party.

Protecting Kernow from crony capitalists and Westminster

Attendees at Conference this year intensely discussed how Cornwall is potentially vulnerable to economic and social exploitation. A number of issues were discussed and motions passed, such as on the subject of Cornwall’s waterways, continuously polluted with raw sewage due to lax regulations on South West Water. Also cause for concern was the rebirth of mining which leaves natural resources in the region vulnerable to Westminster as well as foreign companies established in mining hotspots.

On the issue of water, MK have, as previously, committed themselves to the termination of private ownership of water. The proposed solution – once again passed by unanimous decision – was the creation of a “public or not for profit corporation answerable to democratically elected politicians in Cornwall.” This comes after 12 years of disastrous performance in annual Environmental Performance Assessment Reports.

And with an eye to Cornwall’s re-industrialisation, MK remain prepared to ensure that Cornwall’s vital minerals are protected from exploitation and bare-faced profit making. Cornwall’s lithium resources, in particular, have received a large amount of financial interest from US-backed company TechMet and companies based in England. In their response to this growing interest, MK passed a motion calling for a Cornish Sovereign Mineral Fund, following the trajectory of regions in Norway.

This fund would primarily be driven by the proceeds of tax on mineral extraction and processing done in Cornwall. It was emphasised by many within the chamber that the fund should have significant democratic oversight, as some warned of the potential that the fund would come under the complete influence of Cornwall Council if not properly regulated.

MK must go further

But the current state of affairs cannot continue. Mebyon Kernow is one of the most progressive parties in the United Kingdom, and represents a national minority at a time of increasing hostility towards non-Englishness. The rise of Reform and the far-right more broadly is a constant struggle, and Cornwall needs to be ready to build against it by the next General Election.

Standing candidates for parliamentary seats is a bold strategy that was discussed at Conference this year. The current Labour prominence in Cornwall is likely to fall if national polls are to be believed, especially if this region continues to plummet into obscurity and poverty. The Greens act as an equally progressive alternative, but more and more likely is the chance of Reform taking hold here, as they dominate the news cycle and polling. Further, if Cornwall wishes to be taken seriously on the broader British stage, it must have representatives to push for greater autonomy at the highest levels of political representation.

This can only be done by an increasing prominence in the minds of the Cornish electorate. By getting Mebyon Kernow’s message to traditional voters who hold close their Cornish identities, as well as progressives drawn over by the message of genuine change in the local area and solidarity beyond that. With success in these areas it may be possible for the party to gain a foothold and push for nationhood, devolution, and autonomy.

Image Via: Cobblestone Media.