Cornwall 'must give up home rule ideas'

“Just came back to this and noticed Big_Gers comment about the point I made regarding Objective 1 admin costs. I have to admit that I had that information from hearsay, albeit from a source that has always been reliable, and Big_Ger is correct to pick me up for not citing a verified source.”

“Same old little Tories. The same was said of Ireland before home rule. The same was said of Scotland and Wales.”

“I find it surprising that two MP's who have their seats, although clearly not their hearts in Cornwall, should be so lacking in their understanding of modern Cornish politics. Mebyon Kernow does not seek Cornish separation from the UK as they imply, notwithstanding Cornwall's historic and legal right to self government, which Westminster steadfastly refuses to acknowledge. Mebyon Kernow's policies do not arise from a sense of victimhood, nor a spirit of isolationism. Far from it! Our links are international, our policies progressive and our focus unashamedly European and Green.

"Isolationism and victimhood" are features of Westminster politics which continue to injure the growth of European cooperation and civilisation. Their problem is a preoccupation with the politics of Empire and the irritation that, after almost a thousand years, their elite class remain unable to silence all voices who dare to challenge their system and status quo; and that includes English voices too. In Europe we see the member states, at least trying to cooperate, by their own free will and for the common good. Within Britain it has long been a matter of brute domination, from the genocidal Highland Clearances to the cruel Welsh Not.

In my view, had Westminster conceived and allowed the idea of a Federal structure, at the time of the Act of Union, even Ireland might still be pleased to be a part of a just and fair United Kingdom. Britain is both English and Celtic and each has to respect and value the other if we are to realise our full potential. This respect needs to find material expression, and in Cornwall's case that requires the official acknowledgement of her ancient ethnic identity, as one of the three Celtic nations inhabiting the British mainland, and her natural and historic right to appropriate self determination.

As things stand, Westminster-in-England speaks on behalf of all of us in European negotiations, often quite ineffectually (ask the fishermen of Padstow). As members of The European Free Alliance MK agrees this needs to change. On some matters at least, Catalonia should speak for Catalonia, Brittany for Brittany, Scotland for Scotland, Wales for Wales and Cornwall for Cornwall, in an ever more closely integrated European Union. Perhaps that is the next stage after achieving our National Assembly. We are neither unique nor alone. We look forward to a brighter European future as the British nation of Kernow, not backwards to the age of Empire. It is Mebyon Kernow and it's allies who represent the politics of the future, the Conservatives should know they are living in the past and in spite of present success, for them the clock is running down.”

“I think that if Cornwall has higher administrative costs than other Objective One recipients it's down to poor management rather than anything else.

Has anyone noticed that months after Prince Charles official opening of Heartlands they still haven't finished the front? Looks like a wasteground (which technically is how it should have been left in my opinion)...”

“So Cornwall has higher administrative costs than other Objective One recipients Rob1Gillatt, can you tell us where you got your figures from? Please don't tell me you're going to blame this on people from outside of Cornwall.

If there is a reservoir of Cornish talent which is not being tapped, and "outsiders" are taking jobs which could be done by these people, can you explain to us why you think that is happening?”

“"Big_Ger
I think you should also highlight;

"The typical admin costs for Objective one have been less than 20%. In the case of Cornwwall these costs have been in excess of 30%!"

I suppose that's OK then, is it?”

“In response to H_Trevorrow - At least we both seem to agree that our local politicians have not done well for the people of Cornwall.
The last figures I could find for education funding (2010) showed Cornwall at 141st in local education league tables - and it has long been accepted that our health services are not fully funded to take account of the extra demand caused by the influx (and needs) of tourists each year.
At present we are 'ruled' from Truro (County Hall) so an Assembly would not change this - and would replace much of the current structure; not create a new 'tier'.
In recent years, as I mentioned, the poor state of the economy here has been recognised more by the EU than Westminster.
In relation to earnings the people of Cornwall pay more for housing, water etc than more other parts of UK - so leaving people with less 'disposable income' which dampens the economy.
We need more well paid jobs - creating the Newquay Airport Business Park, and a full 'Cornwall University' for example, can hopefully help achieve this. Food, drink etc producers are starting to push the 'Cornish' brand and identity and this is proving successful in marketing terms.
Building on the distinctiveness of Cornwall can only be a good thing and having more local say and determination over our own affairs through a local Assembly will improve accountability and could help towards building a more prosperous and fair Cornwall.”

“Despite fishing quotas and the like which apply generally to the UK and could be argued of necessity, Cornwall has done fairly well out of the EU in terms of Objective One and beyond. The talk of EU superstates and the like is probably a bit far-fetched to many Cornish people.”

“"re Esotericage3's message - what seems to be the run of things is seperatists playing into the hands of a leftist brussels power monopoly - no great change for Cornwall just a change of executive and probably a better pay check for bertie biscoe {main archietect of cornish devolution...a man who has almost no experience outside being a councillor!}

Ultimately it won't matter much. In the grander scheme of things this is just a stepping stone H_Trevorrow to a much bigger objective down the road. Left/right, it doesn't matter. There's always a common reason or goal to wanting an alternative form of regionalism to what we've had for some considerable time. Deals will be done and hands will be shaked, PR campaigns launced to sell the idea of Cornwall being an independent region, but nothing will change in the long run. The ultimate beneficiary will be the EU and the superstate being created, certainy not Cornwall and the Cornish population.”

“re Esotericage3's message - what seems to be the run of things is seperatists playing into the hands of a leftist brussels power monopoly - no great change for Cornwall just a change of executive and probably a better pay check for bertie biscoe {main archietect of cornish devolution...a man who has almost no experience outside being a councillor!}

Can someone remind me when your average man or woman in Cornwall had a problem with being a part of England and voting for elections to parliament ino Westminster... a situation Cornwall has supported for hundreds of years ...?????
Strikes me that a lot of political types are leading Cornwall , almost by hypnotic suggestion, to a place they never asked to go.”