Clegg to discuss greater powers for Duchy with Cornish MPs

“"This is a chance for some powers to be put back into the hands of the People."?

Can you tell me a time, AnGof195, when "power" was ever, "in the hands of the People,(sic)?”

“With all due respect Big Ger, devolution is about taking things like spending, bureaucracy and little men in suits out of their Ivory towers hundred of miles away in London and making those decisions here where it matters. This is not about increasing bureaucracy but shifting it closer to home. As much as you might decry more of a civil service in Cornwall I for one would be happy with it we need decent jobs in Cornwall and this would be a great way to achieve it. For me London has enough jobs let some of Cornish taxpayers money go towards jobs in Cornwall.”

“So are People saying that Cornwall Council are worse at running their Ship than any other Local Authority? I think they are just as bad as any, no matter where you go. TheodoreV, are you also saying that if these Powers were given Locally that they would be run worse than they are now? I think not, it's not so much who runs them but how they are run, and who makes the final decission. So your point about Penzance's South Pier could of been a Political one, and who runs CC? Of course these things need to be implimented correctly, that goes without saying. The People Vote, they make their decission and then complain that things don't go how they want. Next Election they vote for the same People, hummmm.

IndEngland, I agree with many of your points. The reason Welsh, Scottish and Irish MP's sit in Westminster is because it's the UK Government. Those respective Countries do not have full Powers, therefore that is right. The UK will break up sometime in the future, I have no doubt about that. The reason is because the Union is based upon England being at the healm, in a superior position. Historically it has not shown any respect to the other parts in regards to their identities or Culture. I cannot see any change in that (see many of the postings here). It is for the English themselves to come up with a solution to their problems, and I wish them every success in that.”

“Ok, hands up if you want county hall to have more powers?
Would you like county hall to be able to apply more local taxes?
Who wants the council to have more layers of bureaucracy?
Kevin Laverty should then get a wage increase to recognise his extra responsibilities.
A Cornish assembly would be a bigger county council with more powers, more bureaucracy, more layers, more spending, more interference in our lives, and more little men with clip boards running hither and thither poking their noses in, who in their right minds wants that?!?!?”

“"This Government is pursuing a radical agenda of devolution, not just to the devolved administrations within the United Kingdom, but also to the regions and communities within England as well."

Of course Clegg failed to say that the Government is ignoring the nation of England. Where is our English National Assembly Mr Clegg? It can't be Westminster given that Scottish Welsh and N.Irish MPs sit in it. Opinion polls consistently show that we English want our own English Parliament and yet you continue to persue your regionalist agenda. Despite the 78% NO vote in the NE of England in the Regional Assembly referendum.
I have no objection to Cornwall having a referendum. However the whole of England should have a referendum on an English Parliament and Independence for England.
And when are you going to fulfill your manifesto committment to set up a Commission to look at the West Lothian Question Mr Clegg?”

“by AnGof1955
"Heritage is one, where local knowledge is greater than any centralist agency. I would also like to see Education a target of this oppertunity (I might of learned how to spell if that was the case). A centralist Education system leaves out many aspects of local tradition that are being lost right across the UK."

You could always try "spell-check" before you post AnGof? However your argument that things would be better just because they are run from Truro, does not necessarily follow. Heritage is a case in point. The awful desecration of the historic Penzance South Pier was waved through by the Conservationists employed by County Hall who should have objected. Why? Because presumably they did not have sufficient autonomy or authority to do so. It was the external body English Heritage that was sufficiently independent and detached to do so, which influenced the government to ditch the scheme. I'm afraid being "local" in no way secures greater respect being afforded "heritage" unless those values are truly enshrined in individuals and organisations. This applies equally to roads and education which has resided with-in County for generations. Though I am not against "subsidiarity" which of course is essentially an ideal of the European Union. Tribal issues become so complicated don't they?"”

“by AnGof1955
"Heritage is one, where local knowledge is greater than any centralist agency. I would also like to see Education a target of this oppertunity (I might of learned how to spell if that was the case). A centralist Education system leaves out many aspects of local tradition that are being lost right across the UK."

You could always try "spell-check" before you post AnGof? However your argument that things would be better just because they are run from Truro, does not necessarily follow. Heritage is a case in point. The awful desecration of the historic Penzance South Pier was waved through by the Conservationists employed by County Hall who should have objected. Why? Because presumably they did not have sufficient autonomy or authority to do so. It was the external body English Heritage that was sufficiently independent and detached to do so, which influenced the government to ditch the scheme. I'm afraid being "local" in no way secures greater respect being afforded "heritage" unless those values are truly enshrined in individuals and organisations. This applies equally to roads and education which has resided with-in County for generations. Though I am not against "subsidiarity" which of course is essentially an ideal of the European Union. Tribal issues become so complicated don't they?”

“Lets try and keep this sensible, and leave out the childish rot please Big_Ger etc. This is a chance for some powers to be put back into the hands of the People. There are things that can be done at a local level better than from the centre. Heritage is one, where local knowledge is greater than any centralist agency. I would also like to see Education a target of this oppertunity (I might of learned how to spell if that was the case). A centralist Education system leaves out many aspects of local tradition that are being lost right across the UK. Roads is another where local control would prioritise the needs at a local and therefore knowledgeable way. Health another, as successive centralist Governments have totally ruined a once great NHS, with their passion for control and beurocracy. I would also like to see Tremough given the chance to become an independent Cornish University.

I think apart from the named going to this meeting, other bodies should and need to be given the chance to have an input. Mebyon Kernow for one who have been campaigning for over sixty years for just this. Also MAGA, the Gorseth and other Cultural bodies they all deserve a say.

I obviously believe in a Cornish Assembly, others have their own ideas. If anyone is going to post on this item, then at least post something positive about what powers can be devolved. There is way too much negativity posted on this site.”

“There are Tory members though. Devolution for Cornwall is happening whether you approve or not. Soon, the Duchy will have control of all our roads. George Eustace wants and is campaigning to get rid of English Heritage in favour of a Cornish Heritage organisation. Do try to keep up and stop living in a centralised 19th Century Big_Ger UKIP little world.”

“Is Sarah Newton a member? I think not. Do try to keep up.”