Cornwall Branch Celtic League calls for 'one and all' approach to Cornish Assembly campaign

The Cornwall Branch of the Celtic League - An Kesunyans Keltek Scoren Gernewek - has written an open letter to many MPs, MEPs, Councillors, political parties and campaigning organisations with a call for a unified approach to the increasing calls for a proper legislative Cornish Assembly.

The text of the letter follows:

"24th September, 2014

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen

A CORNISH LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

Following recent events in Scotland, devolution once again figures in the political agenda.

Our organisation takes note of the various media releases made by both political parties and Cornwall Council regarding devolution and the formation of a Cornish legislative assembly.

You may be aware that our NGO has built up an impressive campaign base. Equally, our full membership has continued to expand exponentially.

By using social media where we interact with literally thousands of followers and participants, we are in a position to reflect many viewpoints on this matter.

The current feedback is that many in Cornwall feel unhappy with Cornwall Council and also with politicians who are perceived to have made or be making excessive expense claims. Sadly, we risk a protest vote making the extremes of UKIP ever more likely. We feel that would represent an utter disaster for Cornwall as we have benefitted greatly from Europe in terms of funding.

A very important lesson to be learned from Scotland is that political parties, organisations, campaigners and individuals must come together to achieve anything resembling an objective.

This requires petty politicking and egos to be left firmly to one side in the name of a cause which is above politics itself. In our case, that cause is the establishment of a proper legislative Cornish Assembly for we all know that we can do better than is currently for Cornwall. Our people are more than able to take charge of our own internal affairs and to bring democracy home from the distant and quite frankly discredited Westminster Parliament.

We are keen to work with both our elected representatives and with other campaigning organisations and NGOs towards the aim of true Cornish devolution.

We extend an offer of willingness to progress in a unified, democratic and open way and to work with one and all towards the achievement of the much overdue goal of a proper Cornish legislative assembly which would over arch current structures of governance without creating an extra tier.

Possibly, this may result in the demise of Cornwall Council and the revitalisation of truly local democratic structures under such an Assembly. That would be a matter of discussion but for sure, the people of Cornwall would not wish to see an Assembly, a unitary authority and town and parish councils.

Accordingly, the Cornwall Branch of the Celtic League call on all political parties and activists, Cornwall Council, Councillors and campaigning organisations and individuals who truly believe we need a proper legislative Assembly in Cornwall, to work together in a spirit of co-operation for the good of one and all towards the aim of better and more democratic governance in Cornwall.

If this common purpose could be achieved then the major thrust of our campaigning work would be dedicated to this objective, the creation of a democratic legislative Cornish Assembly. After all, is not the motto of our little land ‘One and All’?

Yours sincerely

Convener
Cornwall Branch of the Celtic League"