“Big_Ger. I agree with you 100%. As I have repeatedly said on this forum; we must look to the future, not the past.
Cornwall is much more successful than some politicians would have us believe! I wonder why those politicians always seem to belittle our county?”

“Nice to see the doom mongers haven't tried to do this down.”

“Cornwall Local Enterprise Partnership given £4.3m

The body set up to boost economic growth in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has been given £4.3m to invest in infrastructure projects.

The money has been given to the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) by the government's Growing Places Fund.

The partnership said it would spend the cash on projects which would create new homes and jobs.

The partnership is locally replacing the work of the South West Regional Development Agency.

The LEP is a private and public sector partnership set up to encourage economic growth and job creation.

http://tinyurl.com/7vcnhzx”

“http://tinyurl.com/7momanw

We have begun work on our input into the rail franchise tender document as well as into local roads needs and developing a 'demand-led' skills and education strategy.

Who are they kidding, it is no dragons den?”

“Just goes to show that if power is devolved to Cornwall to set our own agendas and fund our own growth lots can be acheived.”

“What has anything her got to do with "power is devolved to Cornwall to set our own agendas" Roberd?

This is all to do with the workings of current structures.

Giving more power to county hall will not make an iota of difference. No one wants an assembly, no one wants to be ruled by the tax dodging Lib Dems in county hall.”

“Oops, "here" not "her"!”

“Big_Ger. Agreed.
MarySSJ. Agreed. What is going on in the area you mention is excellent. However, as Big_Ger commented; it is being done superbly well within existing structures.
The point I made earlier in another post on this site, is that our universities and colleges are failing to turn out students with the standard of education and skills required by our modern and dynamic industries. Some new businesses in Cornwall are already struggling to find those with the right education and skills! This needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.”

“Power has been devolved to Cornwall as the idea of a south west 'region' has been scrapped and the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LEP has a degree of autonomy over economic development. Big Ger gets it wrong yet again in assuming that a Cornish Assembly is the same as a council...and that this would be run by the Liberal Democrats!

I don't believe Big Ger is ignorant, he just trys to mislead for right wing political purposes.”

“If this "assembly" isn't just a glorified county council with more powers, then what will it be "Doitdreckley"? And what on earth makes you think that changing the name and powers of the county council will make people change their voting patterns, do you really think that people will decide that no Cornwall has a glorified county council called an assembly, they will switch their political allegiance! If so you are living in cloud cuckoo land. Cornwall has always had a Liberal/Conservative political colouring, and no "Cornish Assembly" will ever change that.

Of course this is all conjecture, as the thought of the people of Cornwall so losing their grip on reality as to vote for a change to this "Assembly" nonsense, (85% wanted no unitary authority, remember,) and us to vote for for the idea of giving more tax and spend powers to county hall is at best laughable, at worse delusional.”

“Doitdreckly. Power, in the form of the LEP, has been devolved to many Counties within the UK. Including Warwickshire, The Solent, Norfolk & Suffolk (Anglia) and Dorset. Cornwall is therefore not special in this regard.
As Big_Ger said, 85% did not want a Unitary Authority, yet one was imposed upon us.
It strikes me that some see the County as, 'Cornwall for the Cornish', yet cannot define the meaning of, 'Cornish'.
Nothing can ever be gained by the formation of a Cornish Assembly.”

“The Welsh Assembly is not a glorified County Council. Genuine powers and functions have been devolved to it with the Assembly making its own priorities within its own money. Big Ger does not understand the difference between local government and devolution. If there was an Assembly it would deal with appropriate devolved functions from Westminster while local government underneath thaht (parish and towns and or two or three unitary authorities) would deliver local government. The distinction is not that difficult to understand.

With the Liberal Democrats hooking up to the Tories nationally and people's views of what is happening nationally and locally one can never say never to change as far as politics is concerned.

As for the LEP, the Councils in Cornwall and Scilly had to make the case to be treated as a region. There are other places (such as Devon and Somerset) where they were not successful and could not make a case: becoming one LEP.

There was never a referendum on whether the unitary authority was wanted so the 85% figure is plucked out of the air.

Scotland and Wales both have a mix of people from different races and ethnicities living there and supporting their devolution settlements. There are many people who are not Cornish who support a Cornish Assembly. The 'Cornwall for the Cornish' crack is another red herring of misleading desperation.”

“I think there was a misunderstanding about Assemblies. Until 31 March 2010 there were two types of Assembly: National & Regional. Now there is only one, National, and powers may be devolved to it.
As Cornwall is not a Nation it cannot therefore have a National Assembly. So, we are stuck with the Unitary Authority, which nobody but the Nationalists wanted.”

“Taxman hits the nail on the head. To think that a small county such as ours could have, or would want even, the monolithic bureaucratic monstrosity of a national assembly such as those for the countries of Wales and Scotland, is a nonsense, pie in the sky, cloud cuckoo land idea of some dreamers.

But let's not let this topic be ambushed by the doom -mongers. There are innovative and forward looking ideas going on in our county, ones which will draw wealth creators in, and generate good livings for those with the skills and desire to work here.”

“Legislation can come and go and all that would be needed would be a 'Government of Cornwall' bill. The abolition of Labour's so called regional assemblies is another red herring.

We do not know who wanted the unitary authority because there was no referendum. 'Nationalists' (by which I assume Taxman means MK) in fact didn't want the Unitary.

And the quickest thing that can be said about Big Ger is that when people use words like 'nonsense' but have no argument to back it up they have lost said argument.”

“Doitdrectly. "All that would be needed would be, a "Government of Cornwall" bill.
Precisely! Anyone who voted for such an arrangement would have to be prepared to pay the full cost; which would be extremely high, and in all probability would be no better than the current Unitary Authority. We would no doubt end up with the same people being elected, but would style themselves, 'Members of the Cornish Parliament' - 'visions of grandeur and greed' springs readily to mind!!
No, MK and other nationalist organisations did not support the proposal for a unitary authority; they didn't, because they wanted, and still want, the Government of Cornwall Bill. ie: National status based largely on myth & legend.
The Regional Assembly for the SW is certainly not a red herring. It was the idea of the last Labour government in support of EU ideology. Also, it existed at considerable cost to the taxpayer. Councillors were appointed to it, not elected, and not many people knew it existed at all. Those who did know were never quite sure what they did, or what its considerable budget was spent on.”

“There is not a 'cost' to devolution. There are decisions made for Cornwall by people and functions that are not based in Cornwall. Research commissioned by the Cornish Constitional Convention in 2002 found that around £50m would flow to Cornwall as a result of devolution. You say the cost of a Cornish Assembly would be 'extremely high' but you offer no evidence or figures to support this assertion.

If there was a Cornish Assembly the role and function (and yes the pay) would be likely to be more attractive and mean a more competitive process. There would not need to be as many as 123 as there are members of the Council.

A Government of Cornwall Bill would of course be about a devolved assembly and not 'national status'.

I know all about how awful Labour's self styled regional assemblies were ad agree with most of your points on it. Never saw any evidence of the EU charge though. I think that was just UKIP frothing at the mouth.”

“"There is not a 'cost' to devolution"

I am very happy with the way things are right now without risking it to some hike in public spending involving a great deal of administrative detail on turning everything in something Cornish for the Cornish only, all run by a bunch of old farts that can't even run a website or put together a coherent set of policy and place them on the net, it is a joke! or MK are...

MK are a bunch of hypocrites, anyway!”

“by newtoyou
"all run by a bunch of old farts that can't even run a website or put together a coherent set of policy and place them on the net, it is a joke! or MK are..."

Whatever you think of MK newtoyou, they are an alternative to the big 3, howbeit they do show up and highlight the old-fashioned behind the times attitudes of some Cornish and their hangers on, otherwise it is all good clean politics on the whole.”

“Doitrectly. The estimated pro rata cost of a move to an Assembly for Cornwall was based on that experienced by Scotland and Wales.
The Constitutional Convention, which was cross-party, (but does not seem to have included any Conservative or Labour politicians) did not I recall ask the local people directly whether they wanted the Assembly or not. This information was however included in their distributed literature and comments; "In this, the Cornish Constitutional Convention sits within the milieu of increased desire for greater automony by European regions".
As for being associated with UKIP, I can assure you I am not - although I do agree with them we should withdraw from the EU, and do so ASAP.”

“pull out from the EU, really Taxman100? how would Cornwall's economy cope without European money? Pretty sure the money for the projects listed above (innovation centers and the like) came from Europe. If we are seriously expected to think Cornwall would be better off without the EU where would this sort of funding come from? Europhobia is a political argument without any research, political backing or popular support.”

“I find it strange that, generally, the same people who want to withdraw from Europe are the ones who are averse to devolution in the UK.”

“Roberd. "Europhobia is a political argument without any research, political backing or popular support."
I am most definitely not Europhobic, and my research, travel, and work in Europe is extensive and current - read my other posts. Strange, I thought the Conservatives where backing our considered withdrawal, and recent polls suggested the majority of the electorate would wish to leave the EU, or at least to renegotiate our status. http://tinyurl.com/79o6f7c http://tinyurl.com/6z6ykq2
Kernowforward. I find it strange those who wish to remain within the EU are also the ones who want devolution in the UK.”

“Roberd. Another reasoned argument. This time in the Guardian - now there is a surprise! http://tinyurl.com/6w746ab”

“Ok Taxman100 if youre so confident that polls, why do you hold such faith in ones you believe and not ones you don't? If you remember 50,000 people in Cornwall signed a petition calling for a Cornish assembly, that was 10% of the populace. Compare this with the few thousand more who want withdrawal from the EU http://tinyurl.com/3ccyps4 out of what 60 or 70 million people? Surely theres an argument to be made that Cornish devolution is much more popular in Cornwall than leaving the EU is throughout the UK?

That aside ill repeat my earlier question, who would invest in the Cornish economy but Europe? Who would pay for innovation centers who would've paid for the A30 upgrade? Our university? Wavehub? Etc etc? Theres no evidence ive seen that pulling out of the EU would be anyway beneficial to the Cornish economy.”

“The Daily Express petition was successful and there was no need for further signatures as the Government agreed to debate the subject. http://tinyurl.com/6cwx2yz
Therefore, there was no point in pursuing the petition further.
The money as you say came from Europe - yes, UK money recycled and hidden under the guise of the benevolent EU!”

“Before any thought of an assembly we need a referendum on the idea, one in which ever person of voting age can have their say. Hopefully then the pro and anti factions will be forced to put up their proposals, including the powers and revenue sources, and costings, for debate. Until something of this nature happens, the assembly will just be a dream of the nationalists, and a nightmare for the rest of us.”

“I have no doubt that all these governmental institutions in London and Brussels recycle money waste a great deal of it then give some back. What worries me is where will money to invest in Cornwall come from if the UK leaves the EU? It worries me that Cornwall would be worse off.”

“by Big_Ger
"Before any thought of an assembly we need a referendum on the idea"

Why? That is more than what is needed. There's no great outcry for an assembly, why waste money on a referendum? It is only a few nats bellyaching, you are giving them too much attention Big_Ger, if it wasn't this it would be something else with them, so why feed their fantasy.”

“So Young Cornwall its only a few nats bellyaching? Really so if I follow your argument correctly devolution to Cornwall has insignificant support? Why then do you spend hour after hour and day after day arguing against it? I find that odd, if you believe nobody supports it and it has no hope of ever happening why does it worry you so much? In fact why does the thought of people in Cornwall deciding policy worry you so much?

Back to the subject matter at hand, the thread was started highlighting some of the economic progress being made in Cornwall. I believe that a Cornish assembly could help with this. Crucial decisions about Cornish governance being made in Cornwall offers the opportunity to set our own agendas and tailor policy to suit Cornish businesses and industries. Not to mention the jobs that would be devolved to Cornwall. Big Ger rightly pointed out some of the work of the Cornwall and Scilly LEP, surely this provides a framework to be built upon?”

“???
http://tinyurl.com/3k2bz8l”

“Roberd. I do not believe Cornwall would be worse off if the UK left the EU, or simply decided to seriously renegotiate its current status. What cannot be disputed is the high cost to the taxpayer of being a member of the EU plus the additional cost of helping out the Euro Zone (and I do not mean that put aside to fulfil our agreement with the IMF).
Many of the laws passed in Brussels by the EU, and those emanating from the ECHR have proven to be extremely detrimental to this country in financial, social, legal,and political terms. In addition to which they are continuing to pursue the idea we change our legal system from Habeas Corpus to Corpus Juris. Life is not all about money, it is also about the quality of life and allowing the people within the boundary's of our Sovereign State to determine their own future via the ballot box.”

“Cornwall like Devon is part of England it is hard for many Nats to accept and this is at the heart their reason for an assembly and is therefore way the MK economic policy is weak as at all cost it is about a free Cornwall, is this the reason there is so little detail about how it is to be funded and once they have stopped waving the flag I am betting they'll be large public spending giving rise in that already expensive Council Tax Bill and I don't trust them with health service either take a look over the board in wales, do we the people need this NO. Could we also see a real plan from MK probably NOT SOON they don't have one!”

“Any chance you'll actually answer any of these questions Young Cornwall? It strikes me that you do not actually have any arguments against Cornish devolution, which is odd seeing as yourr one of the most vociferius opponents of it.
So Young Cornwall its only a few nats bellyaching? Really so if I follow your argument correctly devolution to Cornwall has insignificant support? Why then do you spend hour after hour and day after day arguing against it? I find that odd, if you believe nobody supports it and it has no hope of ever happening why does it worry you so much? In fact why does the thought of people in Cornwall deciding policy worry you so much?

Back to the subject matter at hand, the thread was started highlighting some of the economic progress being made in Cornwall. I believe that a Cornish assembly could help with this. Crucial decisions about Cornish governance being made in Cornwall offers the opportunity to set our own agendas and tailor policy to suit Cornish businesses and industries. Not to mention the jobs that would be devolved to Cornwall. Big Ger rightly pointed out some of the work of the Cornwall and Scilly LEP, surely this provides a framework to be built upon?"”

“Taxman100 I can't fault your logic that the people should decide their governance whether through withdrawal or renegotiation. I also won't argue the fact that centralized rule is not healthy. I still however am not sure that withdrawal from the EU would be a good thing for Cornwall, for the reasons I've listed above. I appreciate your comments and debating this with me in a civilized manner but I'm yet to be convinced that reform is not preferable to withdrawal. In either case it concerns me that any change would not take steps to safeguard the benefits Cornwall currently enjoys.”

“http://tinyurl.com/6lhjmz5”

“It is a joke that no one can come out and give us some detail of the fiscal plan, all we hear is 50,000 sign this petition, but what is the plan, can we see it as at the moment there is little information from MK so it is not good for the people of Cornwall is it?”

“http://tinyurl.com/2efp6eh”

“Roberd. Thank you, it was enjoyable.

I would not normally place a link to the Daily Mail here, however this item has been reported extensively in the Europe press. http://tinyurl.com/7puy4qf
I think it may reflect my own long held opinion, which is that we in the UK always seem to believe, 'we are at the bottom of every European comparison table', or, 'we are always missing out on something or another'. I am sure an historian would give us many an explanation why we tend to behave in this manner, but it probably would not be true. Perhaps, if we saw our Country and County in a more positive light, as a result of the positive things which are happening around us, it might engender a more positive attitude amongst the population?”

“oops that last line should have said,

"And we have even seen it happening on this forum"”

“Well theres something to be said for being positive Taxman100. Trouble is with negative headlibes and virwing things from extremes it does get people talking and sell papers, pretty sute such activity keeps papers like the Daily Mail among others in business.

Newtoyou comments noted, dont really know what to say to be honest. Is that seriously your opinion or are just trolling? I mean Cornwall council fit for purpose? unless your Alec Robertson I doubt that's a serious comment.”

“Roberd,

"I still can't find that fiscal part of the idea, can you point us in the right area? You know it better than me."”

“Have you read the publications produced by the Cornish constitutional convention? http://tinyurl.com/cvj36dk all the information is there for you and everyone in Cornwall to read and digest.”

“Have you read the publications produced by the Cornish constitutional convention? http://tinyurl.com/cvj36dk all the information is there for you and everyone in Cornwall to read and digest.”

“OK Roberd if you are not prepared to open up about this and only want produce a link which seems detailed but actually is no use to plain speaking people at all, here is my problem,

Dick Cole wants to replace my council tax with a local income tax. How will that work? It seems odd that something so important is so light on detail?”

“newtoyou. I agree with your second paragraph entirely. Perhaps, we need a discussion about Nationalism itself. The subject is quite intriguing as it includes psychology as well as politics.
An example: When the rights or wrongs of a Unitary Council for Cornwall were being discussed, the nationalists continued to ask for an Assembly. They knew they could not achieve their aim at that point. It didn't worry them, as the advent of the Unitary Authority was, as far as they were concerned, just a step in the right direction - centralisation of power. The next step, now a lesser problem, the Cornish Assembly. Slowly, slowly, catchee Monkey! And we are the Monkeys! (Well, those Councillors who voted for the Unitary Authority were).”

“Umm ever question i answer newtoyou you come back with another question its very frustrating to have a debate in this way. Ill ask again have you read the publications of the Cornish constitutional convention?
Taxman100 we all know Mebyon Kernow bitterly opposed the move to unitary, because we knrw that it would result in a more centralised authority distant from the people and unpopular. I believe Dick Cole wrote about that this very week. The councillors that voted for unitary were Liberal Democrats urged to do so by the Labour government.”

“Roberd as we can see you haven't answered the question. "its very frustrating" for us the people of Cornwall.

"Dick Cole wants to replace my council tax with a local income tax. How will that work? It seems odd that something so important is so light on detail?"

So come on, tell us how is that going to work?”

“Roberd. Those wretched LibDems would vote for anything - liberal in mind, liberal in nature, and liberal with my money! What we need is a real Tory government (I can hear you sigh already).

Out of interest I will read Dick Cole's article. I do tend to read and research as broadly as possible before coming to any conclusion.”

“"Ill ask again have you read the publications of the Cornish constitutional convention?"

I can't find anything about this "local income tax" in any of those publications, post a link to "this local income tax" idea, please.”

“Ah right happy to explain local income tax to you newtoyou. Can i assume you live and work in the UK? some of this might not make sense if you dont, if so ask for more help. Local income tax is a taxation system replacing income tax aka PAYE (pay as you earn). But instead of being levied and redistributed state wide across the UK the money would be raised and spent locally that is to say in Cornwall by a Cornish assembly. I don't know if you know much about the funding of the Welsh Assembly government and the ongoing Silk Commission, but I think it's an astute move to push for tax raising powers at the outset. One of the fundamental flaws of local government at the moment is they have no vested interested in a properly functioning economy. That is to say the Welsh assembly and indeed Cornwall Council spend central raised money whether they have encouraged growth and thus more taxation or not. It also has the benefit of keeping more money here in Cornwall rather than sending if off to be dealt with by the armies of bureacrats in London. So I hope that is clear? Again if you're unsure of what income tax is let me know.

Taxman100 a Tory government? *deep sigh* (;”

“"Local income tax is a taxation system replacing income tax aka PAYE (pay as you earn). But instead of being levied and redistributed state wide across the UK the money would be raised and spent locally that is to say in Cornwall by a Cornish assembly.'

Cornwall is a poor county with low wages. So this local income tax would have to occur at a higher rate than PAYE. Also, anyone with money an sense would move out of the county if County hall were to have more tax and spend powers, thus pressing the burden harder on the low paid locals.

An idiotic idea. Cornwall would become the "Greece" of Britain.

I'd love to see those campaigning for an Assembly put that idea to the people of Cornwall, anyone with an O level grasp of economics would shoot it down in flames.”

“Roberd are you a member of MK or more to the point a spokes person for MK?”

“newtoyou - are you a member of a political party - or a spokesperson?”

“Whatever newtoyou, it's the best they have got. An old Cornish saying, "keep weighing the pig isn't going to make it any heavier", the moral of this story is, you cannot get out what isn't there.”

“"newtoyou - are you a member of a political party - or a spokesperson?"

NO,

Yes, youngcornwall I spent time asking about the this idea of Dick Cole's which is that he will 'replace my Council tax with a 'local income tax' however I think Roberd has not understood the question but posted stuff about "PAYE (pay as you earn)" a long with a link to the 'Cornish assembly publications' which contain zero informations on the subject of replacing Council Tax with a local income tax.

Is Roberd a member of MK?”

“If Mk are proposing a "local income tax" then perhaps they would like to consider that Cornwall has a relatively high proportion of retired population, with 22.9% of pensionable age, compared with 20.3% for the United Kingdom, thus increasing the burden of their tax (and spend) proposals, on the community.

Or in other words, no one will vote for the lunatic MK ideas on taxation. .”

“Here we go, I new it was not a dream, found it (see the link below), but what is also interesting is the idea that like Wales, Cornwall can go it alone, Greece, along with Portugal and Ireland, dependent on negotiating bailouts with the European Union, Wales will receive £15 billion from the central UK government that's is not a bad bailout when it doesn't have enough money of it's own so the UK tax payers steps in and most of that money comes from the English tax payer, Wales needs the money as their economy has yet to produce results and relies heavily on publics service jobs, the whole cornish assembly is about kicking the English rule out and using the English bailout tax money to fund their Byzantine Empire

http://tinyurl.com/comm35w”

“"The party is fielding candidates in all six of the county's constituencies."

And what did they get…Zilch. Let's move on Cornwall, keep chewing the fat over with these also ran bunch, is the only oxygen that is keeping them going.”

“To be fair young cornwall, I do not mind giving the MK bunch this oxygen of publicity, negative as it may be. At least people like Roberd are brave enough to put themselves up for election, even if like Mike "32 votes" Champion, (an ironic name to say the least,) they do not do very well.

I wonder what became of the fringe dwelling extremists who used to write here. The guy who went on "hunger strike," but gave in when he'd lost a few pounds, the ones who wanted the English flag banned, the people who claimed that hundreds from all over the world would protest at Truro court, when only one student turned up? The league and Stannary mob, they were far more amusing and worthy of ridicule”

“http://tinyurl.com/7g9xl7x

http://tinyurl.com/748tr3e

http://tinyurl.com/6tz8gon

http://tinyurl.com/7dn4hp3

http://tinyurl.com/78zcas9”

“That's the bunch. Been quiet of late, for which I'm sure MK will be eternally grateful.”

“"by Big_Ger, Monday, February 06 2012, 9:32AM, "If this "assembly" isn't just a glorified county council with more powers, then what will it be "Doitdreckley"?"

Doitdreckley? In the end arrogance and pomposity always rears its ugly head in stereotyping jibes Big_Ger. Of course the "bunch" as you call them are pleased with news of positive business initiative and innovations, but it's all to do with balance.

Cornwall needs a new mindset not the old one with those on the conservative right saying everything that makes money for individuals is okay and those on the new labour right saying much the same thing while pretending to be a little more caring than the other bunch. Like many I'm not sure what the democratic liberals stand for at the moment. We've seen where uncontrolled financial wheeling and dealing gets us and we are all suffering for it (well most of us, perhaps not Big_Ger).

The past is important as ignoring leaves the dunderheads going on to make the same old mistakes. Balance what's good with the present with what's good now and we have a winning ticket.”

“As you might realise I meant to say, "Balance what's good with the past with what's good now "”

“Roberd is that it? Or don't you have an answer?

For an important, serious and significant tax initiative it seems light on information and a condition of circumstance that puts one in a favorable or superior position is good, this is however not the case. And why can't you answer the question or point us to the right information it seems unreasonable that you defend a question of your party by avoiding a simple answer.

The link to those publications which are written in a language that is meaningless and unintelligible by excessive use of abstruse technical terms are just plain nonsense, and they don't contain anything about this TAX idea,

http://tinyurl.com/comm35w”

“What are you saying Alistair, the Sun got it wrong? And these are not an "Ooh-Arr-A" bunch of Cornish comedians, that are an embarrassment to the people of Cornwall, but should be taken more seriously?”

“The Sun, for all its faults named and shamed Cornish nationalist extremists who were trying to cause terrorist disruptions in Cornwall, by attacking people who had set up good profitable businesses in Cornwall. It also made us laugh at the Cornish leagues claim that people from all over the world would turn out to support Lemon, when only one person, an unemployed student, did.

There is no arguing with these facts.”

“Bg_Ger. Exactly!

youngcornwall. You are correct. We should, no must, take these people more seriously. They were prepared to plan terrorist attacks, and cared not a jot about the injuries or deaths that may have occurred if they had not been prevented from carrying out their atrocities.
In general, organisations like this have, or develop, covert links to similar organisations; like the Real IRA.
They also believe they are different to all other people; with the understanding they are downtrodden Celts who merit their own country (aka Cornwall) - which happens as a result of all the misinformation (particularly, in the form of History) circulated about Cornwall and the Cornish people by other less aggressive nationalist groups and historians.”

“All this is a side of Mebyon Kernow that the party won't speak about and act to make it appear that this is the not case when in fact it is about removing the English rule from Cornwall, they claim to welcome all people of Cornwall however it is very narrowly focused and if there is popular support for their ideas the bigger political parties will step up to support the people and do a much better job for one and all, IMO.”

“The problem is newtoyou the other political parties, of all hues, do not support the majority of people: they pander to the nationalists and to their own egos - power corrupts. That is why the Cornish Language is taught in some of our schools (although it is a hybrid language, and not the one spoken by our ancestors), and why do they want to waste further money putting it on all road signs? Only about 3/4,000 people speak the language, and most of those do not do so fluently. How many young people will get a job because they speak Cornish? Few if any! What good the road signs? etc., etc. ad infinitum!”

“by Taxman100
"youngcornwall. You are correct. We should, no must, take these people more seriously."

Just for the record, I was asking Alistair if he thought the Sun had got it wrong, and did he think these "Ooh-Arr-A" bunch of Cornish comedians" should be taken "seriously", not that I thought they should be taken "seriously". I will stick with what I already said, these people were an "embarrassment to the people of Cornwall", best to move on if you ask me, giving them or their cause any recognition, whatever that maybe, is only giving sucker to fools.”

“Good to see everyone still talking about devolution. Also good to see that no one is trying to answer the patent fact that devolution to a Cornish assembly would be an economic boost for Cornwall.”

“Roberd. Surely, if someone proposes something it is for them to tell us, in detail, what it would entail, and to inform us how we would benefit from it and why? And of course, of any costs involved!

Off to Brussels now, to pick the brains of some political Sprouts!”

“I will never ever condone, buy, support nor understand anyone who reads or believes anything which is printed in a sexist, racist, nationalistic and thankfully fast declining rag like The Sun. A rag which mocks the Germans and constantly harps on about the Second War everytime England plays football and which depends on topless women to sell it is no source of reference.

As for local income tax - this is commonplace in Europe and in the USA I really don't see it as an issue at all. Already Scotland has tax varying powers doubtless soon to be increased to full fiscal autonomy and I don't doubt Wales will as well. In the USA even some cities have their own income and purchase tax.”

“Roberd explain this please tax idea, which is to replace peoples council tax, why isn't there any information about it on the net? kinda odd!

http://tinyurl.com/comm35w

And also MK are the BNP of Cornwall imo they want to remove the Englishness out of Cornwall, which is not representing Cornwall and its people, also the supporters back things like Cornish signage but I'd rather not waste my Council tax of this rubbish and prefer the money to be spent on the more import things in our community, this the type thing is what we'd end up with if we ever had a Cornish assembly.

And take Wales it is struggling with its economy and needs bailing out by the UK tax payer to the the tune of 15 million pounds a year mainly made up from English tax payers, if Cornwall when the same way you'd be risking at lot to these MK types who seems only interested with some made up history rather than putting the people first, I'd be very worried if was trying to raise a family or buy a house as MK seems at a lost when comes to an economy policy as we see here, no answers to simple questions...”

“Sorry I often seem to forget to proof read my posts being dyslexic is not easy these days, however that last bit should have read as follows:

"And take Wales it is struggling with its economy and needs bailing out by the UK tax payer to the the tune of 15 million pounds a year mainly made up from THE English tax payers, if Cornwall WENT the same way you'd be risking A lot to these MK types who seems only interested with some made up history rather than putting the people first, I'd be very worried if I was trying to raise a family or buy a house as MK seems at a lost when IT comes to the ECONOMIC policy needed to lead Cornwall, and as we see here, no answers to simple questions..."”

“"Also good to see that no one is trying to answer the patent fact that devolution to a Cornish assembly would be an economic boost for Cornwall."

Rubbish, you have shown no such thing. Also in my posting above I have shown that MK's "local income tax" would do irreparable damage to Cornwall, and why no one should vote for MK as they are financial illiterates.”

“Thanks for the replies, devolution has obvious economic benefits. Not really sure whats so hard to imagine about funding any change in governance? The Cornish people pay tax at the moment which pays for the administration and decision making of Cornwall devolution seeks to move this decision making and administration back to Cornwall using those same funds. In other words tax es paid would be raised and spent in Cornwall, rather than sent to Whitehall recycled and a fraction being sent back. I really don't understand the confusion on this subject?”

“Newtoyou there's really no need to apologize for being dyslexic you write very well, could do with more full stops here and there but that's by the by. I am interested to hear more about the Welsh bail out when did that happen? Haven't kept up the news much recently...”

“Roberd thanks for the saying that there is no need to apologize for being dyslexic.

I do have what I think is an interesting point on that subject of funding Wales. However I would like you to explain you view on this idea of removing Council tax and replacing it with a local income tax, all I am asking for is some details of how this would be put into effect, I can't think of a better system than the one we have now. your call!”

“At present public services in Cornwall, stuff like old age pensions, the NHS, schools, benefits, and much affordable housing are funded directly or ultimately by the UK government from pooled national taxes paid by individuals and companies across Britain, including Cornwall.

Industrial and commercial grants are also funded by the UK government from pooled national taxes.

The EU returns some of the net funds the UK gives it to projects across the UK including Cornwall; these might reasonably be seen as recycled UK taxes.

Local levies such as council tax and car parking charges fund only a small proportion of public spending here – as in any county.

When the Coalition froze council tax for English councils, an extra £67.5million was given to Scotland, even though its government had already announced a freeze.

Despute a growing discrepancy in the formula between England and Wales, successive governments have refused to overhaul the system. It means Scots receive 10 per cent of the money handed out by Whitehall, despite having little more than eight per cent of the population

Treasury figures last year showed that gap in annual government spending between Scotland and England has risen to a record £1,600 per person In Scotland, the Government spent £10,212 per person on average last year – £1,624 more than in England.”

“Here is Tim Smit who is very unpopular with Cornish nationalists, listen to the interviews he talks very a progressive way forward on many subjects,

I say this, all I heard from MK or Cornish nationalists is a lot talk about nothing, I have asked the same question a simple question and have been met with usual farce, I feel MK are prejudice and have an antagonism directed against the people who are English in Cornwall.

So here is a guy with a way forward and he talks about a Cornish assembly, fuel and a whole lot more and in plain easy to understand language, watch both interviews. I don't agree with everything he comes out but he connects us all under one umbrella,

http://tinyurl.com/7763xjz”

“There are 3 clips of Tim Smit to watch not two.

http://tinyurl.com/7763xjz”