I could probably write a book on why Cornwall is a nation - life is too short to do it here. I don't think most MK people 'claim' that Cornwall is a nation they just believe it to be so because the evidence is so overwhelming.
Graham, with respect, I didn't call you either a Tory or Racist - and certainly don't think of you in that way. I did however point out that those groups are obvious candidates for people who wouldn't support the thrust of what MK is trying to achieve.
what is the arguement, we have only one nationalist political party; MK, therefore all Cornish Nationalists should support it, it is the only real form of any nationalist democratic power.
why must we always bicker, we cornish are just the worst
all MK activists are part time and unpaid, this is the crux of the matter, who can run a political party part time; it is difficult
going back to the inclusiveness of MK, we must be welcoming to all of the new cornish; democracy is a numbers game
However, are Cornish people - those who live out on the farms, those who work in the shops, those people everywhere whose families have always been here - are they excluded by Mebyon Kernow’s political novelty?
Why do more Cornish people have an affinity with the Cornish Independents, and why is this preference clearly expressed at voting time?
Sometimes it seems as if MK has analysed what the Cornish are happy and comfortable with and have then moved sharply off in a different political direction.
There’s nothing wrong with people taking an interest in MK. Politics is about debate, not about sacred cows and the best politicians are those who have the opportunity to hone their arguments.
My own view would be that it's none of our business how a neighbouring nation would organise its own political affairs. That of course presupposes that England would have no political claim on its neighbour of Cornwall. Any new constitutional arrangements would from where we're standing have to take into account Cornwall's nationhood. (i.e. Cornwall would not be part of an English parliament).
The primary mandate for Cornish self-determination at present is for a referendum on a devolved assembly. On this point, MK have got things about right.
Kerrow asks why the Cornish people have an affinity with Cornish Independents that is reflected at voting time.
I suggest that it is because the voters are supporting the INDIVIDUALS that they believe best reflect their views.
This is in effect an indictment of both Nationalist groups AND MK, in that they are not 'hitting the spot' of what Cornish people want.
(It's worth highlighting that some (many?) of the nationalist groups in Cornwall do not even put candidates up for election.)
MEBYON KERNOW is Cornwall's only real, home grown political party, and SHOULD be the "natural home" for all nationalist voters and would be politicians, but it clearly doesn't manage that.
I have never voted MK so far.
I have rarely had the option, due to lack of candidates, but even when there is one, MK somehow just doesn't appeal to me.
I don't even like its name, and PERSONALLY believe that is its first and greatest stumbling block in any attempt to appeal to the (almost exclusively) English speaking electorate.
"Plaid Cymru" is a good name for the "Welsh Nationalist Party" as Wales has a really significant number of Welsh speakers, it makes sense.
The "Scottish Nationalist Party" however, is a good name for the predominantly English speaking Scotland.
I believe that, simply by changing MKs name to "The Cornish Party" they would attract more potential voters.
Some people reading this will tell me that "a democratic party is what its members want it to be"
Some might suggest that people like me should JOIN MK and try to change it from inside.. I simply do not have the time or will, believing that IF a political party actually wanted ME to support them, then they would make sure they would appeal to me!
In around 12 months time there will be elections for members to the new Cornish Unitary Authority (or whatever it's called by then)
There will hopefully be around fifty additional 'fresh' seats that don't currently exist.
It's up to Cornwall to express itself at the elections, and there's not much time left for people to get organised.
I wish MEBYON KERNOW well, but I might actually VOTE for "THE CORNISH PARTY".
Not a lot of people know what 'Penzance' means but a lot of people know what it's about. It's up to Mebyon Kernow to show people what they stand for, and as a small party with no full time staff they do remarkably well where they do stand.
Changing the name would be superficial. What the public need are better services and governance, and usually people vote for MK candidates because they like the people, and aren't that bothered what the party is called.
If MK change their name, then why don't we start changing all the Cornish place names too, to make it easier for them to appeal to people? Of course not.
We should be proud of our Cornish party, which even has the humility to call itself 'Mebyon Kernow - The Party for Cornwall.'
As a Cornishman whose Cornish roots go back to -- at least -- Elizabethan times, but married to an English girl and with two half-English children, I'm fully in agreement with Dick Cole's views on inclusiveness.
"Cornishness" is about culture, not race. Any child, of whatever race, born and brought up in Cornwall will become -- inevitably -- "Cornish". As an example of this you need look no further than one of the finest rugby captains that Cornwall has had since the War -- Dean Shipton. Dean was born in east London and only moved to Cornwall when he was about 11. If you dare to tell Dean that he's not "Cornish" you're a better man that I am!
What is important is that we defend what is left of our uniquely Cornish culture by opposing the continued "Anglicanisation" of Cornwall (for example, the administration of Cornish historical sites by English Heritage; the lumping of Cornwall with Plymouth in the EU Parliamentary constituency; the lack of a Cornish Assembly).
Jan, as someone who has no problem at all with being 'inclusive' for the reason you gave in your 2nd para, I would like to query whether you see the obvious conflict that this puts between your first para and your last para?
STOP THE CORNISH GENOCIDE!- The existence of divergent views occur because the lies and deception have a more profoundly negative, and contrived, consequence for the Cornish people than for anyone else within the UK.
[*] Mebyon Kernow - The Party for Cornwall is a Nationalist political party found in the Nation of Cornwall. (the only one)
[*] It's members recognise that Cornwall is a nation.
[*] It works towards greater political recognition of Cornwall as a Nation.
[*] It believes that the National population of Cornwall should make decisions about Cornwall's future.
I have to say that I am one with my Cousin Jan on this one, for I too am a Cornishman married to one who is not Cornish. Let us preserve and celebrate - with pride - that which is uniquely Cornish. My wife is neither English nor Cornish and I have learnt her language and appreciate her culture. She understands that my culture is as special as hers. We have had one child together and she (the child) 'feels' half Cornish and half 'the other nation' (no clues given here!).
Fellow readers of this site, there is a real need for those of you who feel your Cornishness to express it, to give voice to it, for it is sadly under real threat - and it is truly worth preserving.
Our Kernow is a little land, a special land and its people and its ways are worth preserving.
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Town's youth curfew 'a success'
A voluntary youth curfew pilot in a Cornish town is hailed as a success by police and the mayor.
New group to oppose greenfield bid
News that two public meetings were held at Illogan during late August by an action group opposed to large-scale greenfield development in the area, indicate opposition to proposals contained in the latest draft of the Area Action Plan, produced by Kerrier. According to the West Briton, ‘The action group is opposing plans to build as many as 3,800 houses on greenfield sites and 5,600 houses on brownfield sites in the Camborne and Redruth areas’.
MK CALLS FOR RETHINK ON GROWTH IN BIOFUELS
On the 11th September, Members of the European Parliament will be voting on proposals for all petrol and diesel used in transportation to contain at least 10% of biofuels by 2020.
Porthcurno.Mobi Launches Mobile Internet In Cornwall With A Splash
Visitors to Britain's Riviera can now enjoy Cornwall's first mobile site, offering handy travel and holiday information on Porthcurno for both phones and computers. Beaches, buses, surf and the open air Minack theatre feature on http://porthcurno.mobi, as well as maps and images.
Man drowns in swimming accident
A swimmer who got into difficulty off the Cornish coast is pronounced dead after being airlifted to hospital.
Members sought for scrutiny panel
Devon and Cornwall Criminal Justice Board is looking for people from black or minority ethnic communities.
