Devolution is defunct – Cornwall must embrace its role in the UK
Cornwall Conservative MPs George Eustice and Sarah Newton call for an end to demands for a devolved Cornish assembly to retain its “special place” in the UK
Cornwall Conservative MPs George Eustice and Sarah Newton believe Cornwall is best served by remaining a unique and dynamic part of the UK, not attempting to go it alone.
During the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, the Royal Barge leading the flotilla of boats up the Thames flew five flags relevant to the United Kingdom: England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland and, yes, Cornwall. You only have to look at the number of St Piran's flags on display in the county to realise that Cornwall has a very strong sense of identity and pride.
Cornwall has always had a special place within the United Kingdom and has historically derived its real power through being enthusiastically British. During the industrial revolution, Cornwall was home to some of Britain's most successful inventors. The key symbol of Cornwall, the shield with 15 gold "bezants", is said to represent the money raised by Cornish towns and villages to pay the ransom needed to free the Duke of Cornwall as long ago as the Crusades in the 12th century. It is from this legend that the motto "One and all" comes and, even today, this Cornish emblem simultaneously represents both Cornish self-confidence and our unwavering commitment to the United Kingdom.
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Recognising the historical context of Cornwall's special place within the UK matters if we are serious about giving it modern meaning. It is time to let go of the failed and divisive "assembly" agenda of the 1990s and focus instead on a forward-looking approach.
Fifteen years ago, Tony Blair argued for a whole new tier of costly and bureaucratic government in Britain, which envisaged regional assemblies across the UK that would then deal directly with the European Union and bypass Westminster.
The idea was never popular. Wales only voted for more politicians by the narrowest of margins and the first big test came in 2004 when John Prescott tried to introduce a regional assembly in the North East. Nearly 80 per cent of people said "no" to more politicians and that was the end of the assembly agenda.
Instead of clinging to this defunct devolution agenda, Cornwall must embrace a forward-looking approach. Rather than espousing the politics of victimhood and isolationism, our agenda must project Cornwall as a distinct, self-confident but outward-looking and enthusiastic part of the UK.
The new Localism Act provides a great vehicle for local communities in Cornwall to take over responsibilities from central government. It has also created a new "general power of competence" for all local authorities so that, rather than having to wait to be given permission to do anything by Whitehall bureaucrats, Cornwall Council can step up to the plate and come forward with innovative solutions to local problems and pitch for central funding to take control in new areas such as transport, housing and further education. It is good to see Cornwall Council rising to this challenge.
However, power must pass downwards at all levels: from Brussels to Whitehall, from Whitehall to Cornwall Council and from Cornwall Council to our parish and town councils. The formation of a unitary authority for the whole of Cornwall three years ago was always going to create a challenge for local accountability, which was recognised at the time and was the reason that "community networks" were introduced. Longer term, we need to see more powers and a larger budget transferred to parish and town councils. While Cornwall Council has made a start handing over new powers to local councils there is more to do.
In ancient times, Cornwall had its own "Stannary Parliament" which performed a scrutiny role on the tax policies of the day. It fell into abeyance during the early 18th century, but the principle might have a modern application within Cornwall. One idea would be to create a modern-day "Stannary Chamber" made up of the chairmen of all the parish and town councils to perform a scrutiny role at County Hall on local issues. The areas over which parish and town councils could have authority is already set out in detail in the 1972 Local Government Act but, in practice, Cornwall Council continues to take responsibility in many of these. You could even introduce the principle of "co-decision" when it comes to spending certain funds like the New Homes Bonus and the Community Infrastructure Levy where the agreement of both Cornwall Council and the parish council is required before funds can be spent. This would make the parish and town councils partners rather than mere stakeholders.
These are exciting times for Cornwall and we must take greater ownership of our destiny, but without the divisive, political agenda of those who seek to undermine our place in the UK.
Comments
by cweatherhill
Monday, September 10 2012, 12:42PM
“How is that I can't find anyone who talks of Cornwall "going it alone"? What is talked about is a desire to kick free of London's and England's control, which is a very different thing. Yes, we are a constituent nation of the UK, not a mere 'county' of a neighbouring land, even if we are currently adminstered that way (probably illegally, but when did legalities ever stop the Imperial power-mongers of London?).
The Stannary Parliament still exists today, at law, complete and with all its powers, including that of veto over Westminster Acts and Statutes. The only reason it hasn't sat since 1753 is that it needs to be convened by Cornwall's constitutional Head of State, the Duke of Cornwall, and no Duke since then has seen fit to do so. Why? because they want the millions per annum without doing the work demanded of a Head of State. This works very well with Westminster because no Cornish Parliament can operate that veto while it waits in limbo. Hence the myth of the "private estate" Duchy which has been widely peddled and is now, at last, being exposed in The Guardian for the lie that it is.
Whatever the future for Cornwall's self-governance, we face a major problem. How do we exclude the petty, self-serving dictators that now seem to have taken over Kremlin Kernow, flinging two fingers to due democratic process with monotonous and alarming regularity?”
by AnGof1955
Thursday, August 23 2012, 2:06PM
“I love a good comedy as much as the next Man, so I always look forward to the posts of Slimslad, and here he comes out with a cracker. Poo Pooing Ancients Laws, whatever next? So now according to this third rate Comedian we should ignore all ancient Laws like ummmm
Thou shall not steal perhaps, or how about thou shall not Kill, thats a better one. You keep up the good work Slimslad, every post makes you look sillier than the last.”
by Slimslad
Tuesday, August 21 2012, 4:05PM
“Cornwall can count itself fortunate that those who believe in ancient "laws" and reconstituted "Parliaments" are few and hold no responsible posts in local government, (even amongst M.K. Councillors).”
by cornishbill
Tuesday, August 21 2012, 10:39AM
“I was interested to read the claims of our MP George Eustice in his latest leaflet about the lengths he has gone to to cut costs for the taxpayer, such as
"not claiming for a second home, booking train tickets well in advance..."
I am as keen to save taxpayers' money as the next person, but surely by not claiming for a second home this is either saying that Mr Eustice's main home is London, not Cornwall, or that would-be contenders to his role at the next election need to be sufficiently rich enough to be able to own two homes outright? You won't find many Cornish people who can afford to do that.
When you visit the parliamentary expenses website, it tells a rather different story about the travel expenses of Mr Eustice too. Amongst the odd cheap train fare here, there are dozens of dearer ones, many north of £100 and they all seem to be singles. Surely for the vast majority of trips a return ticket would be better value? If saving the public money is the main aim, rather than just making his percentage of claims smaller by virtue of owning his own home in London, maybe Mr Eustice could stop charging his constituents every time he steps into his car, for amounts as little as 90p.”
by cheekyman_jr
Tuesday, August 21 2012, 9:58AM
“There's a reason why we call him George Useless...
All the Localism Act is going to do is allow Central Government to pass looming EU fines down to local government.”
by AnGof1955
Tuesday, August 21 2012, 9:25AM
“Slimslad, great post lol. I will leave it to others to destroy your statement, and that you seem to know more about Law than Judges and Professors of Law. I just want to say how great it is to see you shown up to be the idiot you are 'AGAIN'.”
by Big_Ger
Tuesday, August 21 2012, 9:15AM
“I've been told that the members of the Stannary parliament can fly. They can, should they wish, just flap their arms and take off into the sky, soaring like birds, travelling miles and miles with ease.
It's too their credit that they never use this power, for fear of making us normal mortals envious of their abilities.
(Regular readers should find that as believable as their claim to be able to veto "Westminster law", and yet their total refusal to do so.)”
by Slimslad
Tuesday, August 21 2012, 7:23AM
“"It matters not what their opinion of the Stannary is, the question is do these powers exist under Law, and the answer to that is yes. Any opinion on wether the Powers have a relevance in the modern World is not under discussion."
Translation:
We believe in Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy and there's an end to it.”
by patricknorris
Tuesday, August 21 2012, 1:57AM
“What a bunch of crackpots.”
by H_Trevorrow
Monday, August 20 2012, 10:33PM
“Genuinely agree with slatterooin principal......however....... the devil in the detail needs a lot of sober thought and discussion asto what is appropriate to devolve to what level...the problems then manifst as to how we achieve sensible candidates to these varying levels from the position we currently have ....where , as we all know ,, we have some p poor politicians at every level.”