Western Morning News (Saturday)
Only a ‘devolution revolution’ of sorts
The Government’s Levelling Up White Paper does not go far enough in giving Cornwall the powers it needs, argues Dick Cole of Mebyon Kernow, which is campaigning for the creation of a National Assembly for Cornwall
THE Government’s “Levelling Up” White Paper contains a pledge to “give every part of England that wants it a devolution deal with more regional powers and simplified, long-term funding”, but in terms of what the Conservatives are calling a “devolution revolution,” it’s all very confusing.
The associated press release claims that it represents the “biggest shift of power from Whitehall to local leaders in modern times” offering “London-style” powers and a mayor.
The role of London mayor is associated with a London Assembly, sitting above local councils. The mayor also has control over the Metropolitan Police: yet the White Paper lists Cornwall as one of nine areas which have been invited to “start formal negotiations” for a “county deal.”
Such so-called devolution arrangements are limited in scope and appear to be accommodations with local council structures. There is no offer of a Cornish Assembly or a Cornish police force.
The document also includes a “devolution framework,” which shows that ministers want to see these deals linked to an elected mayor or governor, while deals without such individuals in charge would be even weaker.
In addition, the White Paper refers to “trailblazer deeper devolution deals” for Mayoral Combined Authorities in Greater Manchester and the West Midlands. This suggests that these urban areas will be offered greater powers, but the detail is lacking.
Trying to understand the Government’s approach to the UK’s political geography is also impossible. Yes, the White Paper does mention Cornwall in relation to a “county deal”, but in the section on employment and productivity it references “every area of the UK”, with each of these areas “containing a globally competitive city”. I presume this is a reference to government regions such as the “South West” one, which stretches as far as Bristol.
The document also mentions the Great South West project, through which some interested parties wish to link Cornwall to the three English counties of Devon, Dorset and Somerset, and the Government plans to give more powers to partnerships led by unelected nominees from private businesses. It is a total mess, and I have no confidence that MPs will deliver meaningful devolution to Cornwall.
Cornwall desperately needs a new democratic settlement, and that means the Celtic-style devolution that exists in both Scotland and Wales. Surely now is the time for one and all in Cornwall to come together to build a campaign for the formal government recognition of Cornwall as one of the historic nations of the United Kingdom, represented by our own National Assembly or Parliament?
Dick Cole is a Cornwall and parish councillor and the leader of Mebyon Kernow – The Party for Cornwall. This piece was first published in the Cornish Guardian on Wednesday February 16
Cornwall desperately needs a new democratic settlement, and that means the Celtic-style devolution that exists in Scotland and Wales