The Cornish Language has been all over the news again, thanks to Tesco putting up Welsh language signage in their Helston store! It must be acknowledged that there are many similarities between Cornwall and Wales with our shared Celtic heritage, but I have no idea as to how the error could have happened. That said, […]
Cornish and the new BBC Royal Charter Read Post »
On Cornwall Council, I chair the Constitution and Governance Committee (C&G). One of the items discussed at our first meeting of 2026, held on 6th January, related to the terminology used for the person chairing meetings. Consideration of this matter was requested by a Liberal Democrat councillor, who felt that the use of the word
Political games can be so frustrating Read Post »
In the lead-up to the 2021 census, I was heavily involved with the campaign to secure a Cornish nationality tick-box. We repeatedly made the argument that the UK Government had promised to treat the Cornish – who they recognise as a national minority – in the same manner as the Northern Irish, Scottish and Welsh,
Now is the time to demand a Cornish tickbox Read Post »
It is often estimated that some six million people around the world have Cornish ancestry. Emigration has certainly been a key narrative in the history of Cornwall and its people, and I am sure that the experience of my own family matches that of many others to the west of the Tamar. For example, three
Global Cornish – Kernewek Ollvysel Read Post »
It is less than 12 months since I wrote about the House of Lords. At that time, I described the second chamber as “an anachronism that has no place in a modern democracy,” and I set out my frustration that 38 new peers had been created. I wish to return to this subject as another
The House of Lords is an anachronism Read Post »
The Autumn Budget included the creation of a Kernow Industrial Fund worth £30 million over two years. Cornwall’s MPs have been widely commended for their efforts in making this happen. John Brown, Chief Executive of the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, was among those making positive comment about this and the launch of a Critical Mineral
Devolution will mean increased investment Read Post »
I am getting increasingly frustrated by the planning process in Cornwall. As I have written before, Westminster has imposed an inappropriate, unsustainable and undeliverable housing target on Cornwall, which means that council officers have taken the view that we no longer have a “five-year land supply.” In this scenario, the Government’s National Planning Policy Framework
Yet more frustrations with planning … Read Post »
The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has just confirmed that elected Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) are to be abolished. I understand that the PCCs will continue in post until May 2028, when the next set of elections would have been held. Labour is describing the introduction of PCCs by David Cameron’s Government in 2012 as
Time for a Cornwall Police Force Read Post »
Mebyon Kernow held its National Conference in Truro on Saturday. There was much discussion about the ongoing campaign for devolution for Cornwall and, in my keynote address, I called on the leaders of the London-based political parties to back greater powers for Cornwall. In terms of background, I spoke about the cross-party motion I moved
When will Westminster leaders back Cornwall? Read Post »
Westminster politicians have repeatedly promised that Cornwall would receive funding to at least match the level of European structural monies that would have been received if the United Kingdom had not left the EU. The exact wording of the pledge from the previous Conservative Government was that the Shared Prosperity Fund would “at a minimum
Where is Cornwall’s money, Mr Starmer? Read Post »
