Kernow Rydh, the youth branch of Mebyon Kernow, led a demonstration of c.100 today in favour of Cornish nationhood. The demonstration was held on Lemon Quay, Truro, with speakers for a coalition of campaign groups from around Cornwall, such as Cornwall Resists, Bakers Food and Allied Workers’ Union, Palestine Solidarity Kernow, and others.

It comes after the closure of a recent petition to “Grant Cornwall Nation Status”, signed by over 24,000, asking the UK government to give Cornwall “equal status to Wales and Scotland”. The petition’s description reads: “Cornwall has a rich cultural and historical identity, distinct from the rest of England, with its own language, Kernewek, and heritage.” as a justification for the call for Cornish nationhood. The end goal of this would be to “preserve [Cornwall’s] culture, promote self-governance, and empower its people to address local issues.”

In a similar vein, Kernow Rydh explicitly campaigns for young people in Cornwall to take pride in that history, whether they are Cornish or not. In a recent statement, a spokesperson for the youth branch stated: “Kernow Rydh is for everyone who’s passionate about Cornwall, believes young people deserve better, and wants to be part of a movement for change. You don’t have to be Cornish to join us – we’ve got members from Ireland, Brittany, Wales, Australia, Canada, Mexico, and even as far afield as… England.”

In its statement before the demonstration, the coalition said:

“Decisions that affect Cornwall should be made in Cornwall.

“Right now we are witnessing England regress into a nationalism that scapegoats social issues onto migrants and poor people. Poverty, unaffordable housing, polluted water and the high cost of living are caused by those at the top of society not at the bottom. 

“The division between lifestyle Cornwall and life struggle Cornwall could not be more stark as thousands of Cornish people know these tough conditions of life. But the major parties have failed to give us a substantial alternative to this reality. What is needed is a bold democratic solution.

“As the English Devolution Bill moves through Westminster, we will be rallying to demand Cornwall has recognition as a constituent nation of the United Kingdom. Decisions that affect Cornwall should be made in Cornwall. We will be rallying for a devolved Cornish parliament – Senedh Kernow.

“We will be taking the first steps to organising a strong political alternative to nostalgia and populism. We are mobilising a progressive, inclusive and visionary Cornish nationalism. We are for everyone who calls Cornwall their home and who wants to see the conditions of our lives improved. This journey starts with a robust devolution deal for Cornwall. Local politics should be by and for local people. We know our communities. We know their environments. And we know we have distinct needs from England. We only require the power to improve things of our own accord. With devolution we could cap and tax second homes, nationalise our water management and protect our unique heritage; moves already made by Wales and Scotland.

“Every social, class, environmental or international struggle we face comes back to the deficit of democracy in our communities. So for the past month we have been assembling a coalition. We are joining forces as progressive movements across Kernow. We will use the streets as our stage to share ideas, practice solidarity and bring to fruition a new, revolutionary chapter to the Cornish Movement.

“Join us on Saturday. We do not have to be England’s holiday park. A democratic Cornwall is possible. 

“Kernow Rydh, Cornwall Resists, Palestine Solidarity Kernow, AUOB Kernow, Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union, and Unite Community Cornwall.”

Images Via: Cobblestone Media.