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 on Cornwall Council in July. This sought a democratic settlement that properly reflects Cornwall’s national identity and the national minority status of the Cornish. All councillors from the Conservative, Green, Labour, Liberal Democrat and MK groups, and all independent councillors – bar one – backed the motion.
I remains my view that, as at various times in the recent past, our greatest challenge is not to build consensus within Cornwall. It is to get those in authority and power in Westminster to act on what Cornwall is saying is right for our future.
I set out a challenge to that political establishment. It was simply – when will the party leaders in London back Cornwall’s aspirations and the wishes of their own councillors west of the Tamar?
The leader of Cornwall Council, Cllr Leigh Frost, is arguing strongly for devolution for Cornwall and he is pushing the “fifth nation” campaign with great enthusiasm. But when will Ed Davey publicly back Liberal Democrat / Independent Cornwall Council and endorse, without equivocation, the push for nation status for Cornwall? Cllr Frost’s efforts will be undermined if the UK Liberal Democrats do not throw their full weight behind the campaign.
I used the opportunity of my Conference speech to challenge the leaders of the Conservatives and Labour to also back Cornwall; and I made it clear that I find it particularly disturbing that Labour Ministers are failing to deliver on their obligations to Cornwall in terms of identity, territory, politics, governance and devolution.
On St Piran’s Day, in response to a question from Perran Moon MP, Keir Starmer said: “We do recognise Cornish national minority status, not just the proud language, the history and the culture of Cornwall, but its bright future …” Great, and yet only six months later, in an interview for ITV, he said: “Look, I don’t think that we need a nation status for Cornwall.”
Prime Minister – you can’t have it both ways.
Cornwall is a nation and the Cornish national minority exist. You have stated that you recognise our status. Cornish nationhood and national minority status go together. They are inextricably linked. In any meaningful way, you cannot have one without the other. In reality, they are the same thing.
Article published in the Cornish Guardian (5th November 2025) and the West Briton (6th November 2025).