independent Cornish news and comment

North Cornwall: Mebyon Kernow Conference

As the seasonal Liberal Democratic, Labour and Conservative party conferences get under way, it is worth considering an additional political gathering - Mebyon Kernow (MK).


Indeed many Cornish people are descending on Bodmin for the party’s own annual conference.

Senior members have highlighted the party’s policies in advance of the impending General Election and Cornish Council elections. Among the themes up for discussion were ‘fair’ funding for the Cornish NHS, the ongoing crusade for a Cornish Assembly, and the successful steering of a motion linking MK to the supply of free care for the elderly and the disabled.

The party leader, Dick Cole, delivered his keynote speech which included the issue of ‘Cornish nationalism’. He told his supporters that the political programme of the MK was ‘positive and inclusive’.

He stated that: ‘Our political outlook is grounded in those important values of tolerance and community and social justice. That is what is important to us. MK campaigns and fights for those communities suffering the consequences of low wages, poor public services and limited opportunities, where ordinary people are undervalued and treated second best’.

In particular, the case for a Cornish Assembly was vehemently expounded by guest speaker Gareth Butler, who claimed Cornwall could acquire valuable knowledge from the experience of Welsh devolution. Mr Butler, an executive member of the Parliament for Wales Campaign, said: ‘Cornwall has much to gain economically by devolution. Any transfer of government functions to Cornwall means both the transfer of jobs and finance as well as more local control over investment decisions’.