The Cornish Nationalist Party reforms as a political party
| Posted: October 01, 2014
Cornwall
The Cornish Nationalist Party has relaunched as a political party, and is calling for Cornwall Council to become the 'Cornish Government'.
The CNP has registered as a minor political party with the electoral commission, which means it can now contest town and parish council elections only throughout Cornwall.
The decision comes after the recognition of the Cornish as a national minority, and comes as devolution is high on the politcial agenda following the Scottish independence referendum.
The party was originally formed in 1975, and has branches in Bodmin, St Austell, Penzance, the Isles of Scilly and overseas in India.
John Le Bretton, vice-chairman of the party, said: "The CNP supports the retention of Cornwall council as a Cornwall-wide authority running Cornish affairs and we call for the British government in Westminster to devolve powers to the council so that decisions affecting Cornwall can be made in Cornwall."
The party's policies include:
*Calling for more legislative powers to be given to Cornwall Council. The authority should effectively become the Cornish government, with town and parish councils acting as local government.
*Cornwall council should have a reduction in councillors, with a standardisation of electoral areas and constituencies in throughout Cornwall.
*The Westminster government should appoint a Minister for Cornwall and confirm there will be no further plans to have any parliamentary constituency covering part of Cornwall and Devon.
Androw Hawke, CNP chairman, said "The CNP was established in 1975 and nearly 40 years later we are still here, this shows that Cornish nationalism is alive in Cornwall; we are not an independence party, but a party which wants the best for Cornwall and the Cornish peoples'.
John Le Bretton added: "Most people think a nationalist party just wants independence and separation, we are different, for us nationalism means we are proud of our land and we want the best for Kernow."
For more information on the CNP, please visit their website at www.thecnp.co.uk
27 comments
Did the WB need to run a "poll" really, for such a foregone conclusion? I suppose it alerts those that didn't know what is lurking in the background.
The WB poll has 100% no on this!! What happened there then. Lol
"River Tamar is the National Border between Cornwall and England, Cornish and English people"……. "Cornish and English people"…..Well if anything this CNP has let us know where they stand and what they stand for. All that is needed now is for someone that represents the CNP to come on here from time to time and show some credibility, an official statement occasionally would help no ends.
Some very interesting ideas they have there!! "Free crossings at the Cornish border on St George's day" "Cornwall relies on tourists and tourism." "We call on Cornwall Council to work with private landlords." "We call for the scrapping of the mobile library service throughout Cornwall." "Car Park provision is a priority with the growth of the tourism industry and we encourage debate between Council's, traders, residents and private car park operators." "We would like to see a super-prison built in Cornwall to house criminals for crimes committed in Cornwall." Sign up now with them; "The Cornish Nationalist Party is establishing Branches throughout Cornwall and across the world. We are looking for Branch Organisers and office-bearers to co-ordinate The CNP activities in these areas. "
What confuses me is we don't know how much say the Duke of Cornwall has in the decisions affecting Cornwall, " the Prince of Wales has been asked to give his consent to a number of draft bills on matters ranging from town planning to gambling, because it could affect the interests of the Duchy of Cornwall. Andrew George, Liberal Democrat MP for St Ives, commented that "The duchy asserts that it is merely a private estate. Most people will be astonished to learn that it appears to have effective powers of veto over the government." How much power does the Duke hold over Cornwall?
The question is, what are you going to do about it slimsl......I mean parsnippasty? Bit far away aren't you?
I must say they could be on a winner here. The CNP is a more centre-right party. Mebyon Kernow has always suffered as they are a hard left party, Cornwall is a traditionally right of centre voting county. Also Mebyon Kernow have been a round for a long time, with the same old faces, and getting nowhere. They are rather tired and sad looking these days. A fresh approach, with more centre-right leanings could be a good shot in the arm for Cornish nationalist politics. If the CNP come out as anti-Europe, they could destroy the MK vote.
Doitdreckly seems to fail to realise that adding a"Cornish Parliament" on top of the responsibilities of councilors is another layer of bureaucracy. Mind you cweatherhill tells us they do not want a Cornish parliament. Who will teh Celtic league support? Who will the Stannary Parliament throw it's weight behind. Who will Kernow King promote? Will they do better than Mebyon Kernow when it comes to election?
Only applies to people living here rickoon.
"We recognise Cornwall and the Cornish as a Nation and Nationality in our own right. We are a Nation within Britain. The River Tamar is the National Border between Cornwall and England, Cornish and English people. We are a neighbour of England, not a County of England."………Being Cornish myself please do not include me thank you very much, you can "recognise" all you like, until you are recognised as a worthwhile option you are barking up the wrong tree, and segregation is definitely the wrong tree.