Cornwall could be about to be given increased autonomy to act like an independent nation if a new campaign proves to be successful.
The region’s six Labour and Lib Dem MPs have backed a report which makes the case for the region to be given new powers to control its distinct culture, heritage and traditions.
If successful, a Cornsih Senate would replicate the Welsh Assembly supported by a 900-person Civil Service with control over its police force and distinct powers to address social and economic problems in the county.
The report also calls for the creation of a Minister for Cornwall role to provide the region with a direct link to Westminster.
But outside of the travel industry, the region is struggling, blighted by low wages and property prices as a result of the increase in holiday home purchases squeezing supply against rising demand.
Labour has pledged increased devolution for areas across the UK, with the manifesto promising to bring “landmark devolution legislation to take back control.”
Several MPs have given speeches already in this parliamentary term calling for increased powers for Cornish authorities.
In a foreword to the report the MPs said: “The strength of our case should be recognised, not only because Cornwall is a distinctive powerhouse, but also because it is better placed to contribute more to the success of the UK economy, and the UK’s celebration of cultural diversity, if it is granted the devolved powers we seek.”
The report, Devolution for Cornwall: One of Britain’s Oldest Nations, by the University of Exeter’s Cornish Democracy Unit, was endorsed by the area’s six MPs: Liberal Democrats Andrew George and Ben Maguire, and Labour’s Jayne Kirkham, Perran Moon, Anna Gelderd and Noah Law.
It described how one in 20 houses in the area is a holiday-let or second home, five times more than the national average. In popular tourist areas, that figure jumps to 50%.
Report co-author Andrew Climo said: “Cornwall endures a sustained inequality compared to its UK siblings such as Wales, receiving less spent per capita across many services.
“Those in the Duchy have no say over most services and little ability to improve policing, hospital provision, social housing, the regulation of tourism, the Cornish language or protection of its unique Celtic heritage. This issue needs tackling head-on and proactively.’
The report noted: “There is a crisis of governance for Cornwall, where long-standing and important issues remain unaddressed, whilst on the other hand there is a strong entrepreneurial tradition and can-do attitude yet to be fully tapped.
“There is chronic under-funding in relation to the England average, and UK norm, and a striking lack of investment in physical infrastructure, exacerbated by demands on services due to a rapidly growing population and seasonal tourism pressure.
“This is exemplified by having just one District General Hospital (DGH) for its 570,000 population, almost no university support for STEM subjects, and poor transport infrastructure, particularly in North Cornwall.”