Party’s Development Officer discusses MK’s legacy and signals changes for its future, including standing for Westminster seats.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of Mebyon Kernow, the Party for Cornwall, 7 months after the May 1st local elections. News coverage has typically focussed on the history of the party, namely its storied cast of early founders and activists (such as novelist Daphne du Maurier) as well as its role in the shaping of Cornish politics towards progressivism and autonomy. But in speaking to leading figures within the party, it is clear that MK is attempting to look more concretely at the future of Cornish politics.

Mainstream coverage has also focussed primarily on historic electoral victories and failures in MK’s legacy, a style of coverage unique to the party. Campaigners within MK have been frustrated in recent years with the demonstrable drop in form, especially on an electoral level – with the party loosing 2 Cornwall Council seats in May. Many feel that MK’s role in Cornish politics (especially since the year 2000) has been one of indirect influence.

What can be said for MK is that their legacy really stands as a testament to 75 years of dedicated campaigning for progressive Cornish devolution and solidarity across borders. Beginning with 13 Cornish activists in 1951, MK has stuck by its principles, laid out in its constitution.

Members are seldom absent from discussions of Cornish language and cultural identity. Many of MK’s leading figures speak Kernewek fluently and have done so since childhood, including Loveday Jenkin, Cornwall Councillor and daughter of founding members Richard Jenkin and Ann Trevenen Jenkin. For almost all in MK, party activity runs deeper than issues of transport and housing, and speaks to the national identity of Cornwall and the Cornish.

Accounting for this modern context of steadfast progressive values and falling status, whilst a consensus grows around Cornish devolution, Cobblestone Media put a few questions to Michael Bunney, MK’s party development officer and campaigner for his local area in St. Austell. Here’s what he had to say:

• What would you say MK’s greatest achievement in 75 years has been?

“Speaking up for Cornwall. Protecting and enhancing Cornish distinctiveness and identity e.g. the Cornish flag, language, etc. and confirming the need for Cornish devolution as a mainstream idea.

“I am most excited at the moment by the success of our youth wing Kernow Rydh, which is going from strength to strength and has campaigned brilliantly on recent issues, such as the absolute failure of the government to help Cornwall in the recent storm.”

• We understand that Dick Cole has been party leader for nearly 30 years. With recent drops in form, is it perhaps time for a change in leadership?

“Dick has done an amazing job as leader and has my full support. He has been the undoubted voice of Cornwall for many decades and has done more for Kernow than any living politician in my view. We can’t expect him to carry on forever though, so when he decides it is time to stand down I would be happy to stand to be the next party leader as I want to do even more for Kernow and help our communities.”

• MK’s seats on the council has sat between 3 and 5 councillors for the best part of 15 years. Why has the ceiling for success been so low for a party which should engage so much of Cornwall?

“MK has 30 Councillors, including town, parish and Cornwall Councillors, which is often overlooked. Our 3 sitting councillors on CC have significant majorities and are very well respected and long serving. The challenge is always breaking in to win the 1st election as we get squeezed by UK parties especially when UK-wide issues dominate at particular elections. With the groundswell of support for MK now though and disillusionment with Westminster parties, I am convinced we will be making a significant breakthrough in 2029 in Westminster and Cornwall council elections.”

• What more can the party do to engage the Cornish electorate in the intervening years before the next election? Would you consider standing candidates for Parliamentary positions?

“We need to keep focusing on local issues and community priorities and be sharper in campaigning and speaking up even more confidently. Yes definitely we should stand in all Cornwall Council seats. We need to stand in as many elections as possible to give the people of Cornwall a MK choice. This must include some Westminster elections. We should be cooperative and work with other like-minded activists but we do need to stand in as many seats as possible in 2029.”

• What would you say to anybody considering joining MK and maybe standing for the party in future elections?

“Get involved. We have people coming to us from all other parties. We are a unique Cornish-based party and Cornwall needs us now more than ever.”

As Bunney points out, the party does hold significant support in certain rural areas of Cornwall, as well as in towns like Falmouth and Camborne. But activists and campaigners for Cornish devolution say that considering the vital role the party has held for the last 75 years, it is time that they seek greater prominence and advanced electoral goals.

Image Via: Mebyon Kernow.