How time flies! This week marks the 15th anniversary of the final week of the Public Inquiry into the proposal for an incinerator at St Dennis. On the penultimate day [6th October 2010], I had the privilege of presenting the closing statement on behalf of the “Rule 6 Party,” which represented St Dennis Parish Council […]
The Incinerator Public Inquiry – 15 years on Read Post »
Last week, in the lead-up to the Labour Party Conference, the Prime Minister announced the “Pride in Place” programme, which will allocate some £5 billion to 339 neighbourhoods across England, Scotland and Wales. The official press release states that “169 areas will receive £2 million every year for a decade, giving long-overlooked communities the certainty
Cornwall ignored by “Pride in Place” programme Read Post »
The online petition urging the “UK Government to formally recognize Cornwall as a nation … granting it equal status to Wales and Scotland” closed on 11th September and the mandarins at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government have published their official response. It was emailed to all 24,011 individuals who backed the petition.
Disappointing Labour response to petition Read Post »
The Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage was adopted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in 2003. The UK ratified the Convention on 7th March 2024, coming into force three months later. Intangible cultural heritage is defined as “practices, representations, expressions, knowledge and know-how transmitted from generation to generation
Intangible Cultural Heritage and Cornwall Read Post »
The second Reading of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill took place last week. I found it difficult to listen to the debate and, in particular, the claims coming from the front bench. In opening the session, the Deputy Prime Minister said the “devolution revolution is well under way” and she was promoting a
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill Read Post »
The political news-cycle throughout August was dominated by headline after headline about immigration, asylum seekers, “small boats,” migrants and the nature of accommodation for newcomers to the United Kingdom. Reform UK has been to the forefront of the arguments with the party announcing proposals to deport over 600,000 people within five years and also restrict
The European Convention on Human Rights Read Post »
During the last term of Cornwall Council (2021-2025), I had the privilege of serving as the chairman of the Cornish National Minority Working Group. Established in 2015 following the recognition of the Cornish as a national minority though the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCPNM), it has played a leading role in
The National Minority Working Group Read Post »
Eighty years ago this week, the Second World War ended with the surrender of Japanese forces. The Prime Minister, Clement Atlee, made a radio broadcast at just after midnight and the next 24 hours (15 August 1945) became VJ Day. The Cornish Guardian reported that there were “spontaneous demonstrations of joy and relief” and “in
The end of World War 2 Read Post »
This month marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. Three months on from the cessation of the conflict in Europe, Emperor Hirohito announced the surrender of Japan on 15th August 1945 and hostilities in the Pacific were also concluded. Victory over Japan Day or VJ Day was immediately celebrated in
Remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki Read Post »
In January, the members of the unitary authority overwhelmingly backed a motion seeking devolution for Cornwall. Six months on, the UK Government has published its “English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill,” which focuses on regionalisation and combined or mayoral authorities. I am obviously disappointed that there is no new legislation to bring forward a bespoke
Cornwall Council backs meaningful devolution Read Post »
