Cornish devolution campaign revived by show of pan-Celtic political unity
Fascinating article this which reveals:
“A campaign aiming for devolution for Cornwall as a “historic Celtic nation” within the United Kingdom has been revived, with fresh support from Welsh politicians.
Cornish nationalist party Mebyon Kernow is repeating its “ambitious” call for an elected assembly and ultimately devolved powers from Westminster similar to those enjoyed in Scotland, ten years after 50,000 people – 10% of the population of Cornwall – signed a petition supporting its aims.
In a show of pan-Celtic unity from across the Bristol Channel, Plaid Cymru has given the campaign its backing, with MP Jonathan Edwards (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr) launching an Early Day Motion (EDM) calling “for the formation of a democratically elected Cornish Assembly to take decisions for the benefit of the people of Cornwall”.
It comes after Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O’Donnell, one of the country’s most senior civil servants, said holding the United Kingdom together will be an “enormous challenge” in years to come.”
3 years ago the key note speaker at the Institute of Economic Development Conference in Cardiff was Professor Kevin Morgan who challenged theories that devolution had been economically advantageous for Wales. I know there are more motivations for independence than money but it doesn’t half have an impact! Cornwall has been the recipient of significant Objective 1 funding in the past and is one of my most favourite places, it sees itself as part of a wider economic region in the South West and these linkages would become more complex potentially under any form of devolution.
I dont want to create the impression that I am against the idea per se it raises some very interesting thoughts and certainly puts a very big spin on the concept of Localism in this part of England! The idea of a more independent form of Government for one of our largest rural counties also raises interesting reflections about whether somewhere of that size could ever effectively “go it alone” – if Gus O’Donnell is right we might just live to see the theory tested!