Cornish Constitutional Convention
Encyclopedia
The Cornish Constitutional Convention (CCC; Cornish
: Senedh Kernow) was formed in November 2000 with the objective of establishing a devolved Cornish Assembly
(Senedh Kernow). The Convention is a cross-party, cross-sector association with a strong consensus of support both in Cornwall
and elsewhere. It is not campaigning for any form of separatism or independence.
The Convention had been meeting for some time prior to November 2000 as an informal discussion group. In less than two years, it had attracted the signatures of "about 50,000" people on a petition calling for a referendum on a Cornish Assembly, which is a little over 10% of the total Cornish electorate. A delegation led by the West Cornwall Liberal Democrat
Member of Parliament
(MP) Andrew George and representatives of the Convention, (Richard Ford, Dick Cole, David Fieldsend and Andrew Climo
) presented the declaration to 10 Downing Street
on Wednesday 12 December 2001.
Unlike the Scottish Constitutional Convention
, which had the support of much of the political establishment of Scotland
including formal membership of political parties, churches and civic groups, the CCC is more akin to the Scottish Convention's predecessor, the Campaign for a Scottish Assembly
.
Among its publications are Devolution for One and All: Governance for Cornwall in the 21st Century, The Case for Cornwall: Cornwall's response to the Government's Devolution White Paper, Devolution for One and All: Cornwall Devolution for Prosperity, and Devolution's Future: A New Proposal for Regional Devolution.
However, the vote taken by County Councillors was subject to parts of the regional agenda being retained, not least the creation of a strategic Cornish Development Agency with strategic economic and spatial planning powers. The challenge will be for the Convention and others to ensure that this project is not watered down, thus losing the 'direct line' to London that is the main thrust of this project.
Cornish language
Cornish is a Brythonic Celtic language and a recognised minority language of the United Kingdom. Along with Welsh and Breton, it is directly descended from the ancient British language spoken throughout much of Britain before the English language came to dominate...
: Senedh Kernow) was formed in November 2000 with the objective of establishing a devolved Cornish Assembly
Cornish Assembly
The Cornish Assembly is a proposed devolved regional assembly for Cornwall in the United Kingdom along the lines of the Scottish Parliament, National Assembly for Wales and Northern Ireland Assembly.-Overview:...
(Senedh Kernow). The Convention is a cross-party, cross-sector association with a strong consensus of support both in Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
and elsewhere. It is not campaigning for any form of separatism or independence.
The Convention had been meeting for some time prior to November 2000 as an informal discussion group. In less than two years, it had attracted the signatures of "about 50,000" people on a petition calling for a referendum on a Cornish Assembly, which is a little over 10% of the total Cornish electorate. A delegation led by the West Cornwall Liberal Democrat
Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrats are a social liberal political party in the United Kingdom which supports constitutional and electoral reform, progressive taxation, wealth taxation, human rights laws, cultural liberalism, banking reform and civil liberties .The party was formed in 1988 by a merger of the...
Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
(MP) Andrew George and representatives of the Convention, (Richard Ford, Dick Cole, David Fieldsend and Andrew Climo
Andrew Climo
Andrew Climo is a Cornwall-based, British author, community activist and business strategist. He is Chief Executive and founder of Community Leaders CIC, a community development agency...
) presented the declaration to 10 Downing Street
10 Downing Street
10 Downing Street, colloquially known in the United Kingdom as "Number 10", is the headquarters of Her Majesty's Government and the official residence and office of the First Lord of the Treasury, who is now always the Prime Minister....
on Wednesday 12 December 2001.
Position
According to the 2001 petition, "We, the People of Cornwall, must have a greater say in how we are governed. We need a Cornish Assembly that can set the right democratic priorities for Cornwall and provide a stronger voice for our communities in Britain, in Europe and throughout the wider world." In this, the Cornish Constitutional Convention sits within the milieu of increased desire for greater automony by European regions. Given Cornwall's geographical peripherality, economic status, cultural and linguistic circumstances it is unsurprising that Cornwall has a devolutionary movement.Unlike the Scottish Constitutional Convention
Scottish Constitutional Convention
The Scottish Constitutional Convention was an association of Scottish political parties, churches and other civic groups, that developed a framework for a Scottish devolution. It is credited as having paved the way for the establishment of the Scottish Parliament in 1999.The Convention was...
, which had the support of much of the political establishment of Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
including formal membership of political parties, churches and civic groups, the CCC is more akin to the Scottish Convention's predecessor, the Campaign for a Scottish Assembly
Campaign for a Scottish Assembly
The Campaign for a Scottish Assembly was formed in the aftermath of the 1979 referendum that failed to establish a devolved Scottish Assembly....
.
History
Formed in November 2000, the Convention states that its key objectives are to:- Establish a devolved Assembly for Cornwall (Senedh Kernow)
- Develop cross-party, cross-sector consensus
- Establish a form of modern governance which strengthens Cornwall, her role in the affairs of the country
- Positively address the problems that have arisen through growing isolation and loss of confidence.
Among its publications are Devolution for One and All: Governance for Cornwall in the 21st Century, The Case for Cornwall: Cornwall's response to the Government's Devolution White Paper, Devolution for One and All: Cornwall Devolution for Prosperity, and Devolution's Future: A New Proposal for Regional Devolution.
Current activities
The Convention presently appears to be taking a 'wait and see' approach to developments. The bid for regional status for Cornwall having been overtaken for the time being by Cornwall County Council's bid for Unitary Council status.However, the vote taken by County Councillors was subject to parts of the regional agenda being retained, not least the creation of a strategic Cornish Development Agency with strategic economic and spatial planning powers. The challenge will be for the Convention and others to ensure that this project is not watered down, thus losing the 'direct line' to London that is the main thrust of this project.
External links
- Senedh Kernow website
- The Cornish Question: Devolution in the South-West Region
- UK Politics: Devolving England from BBC NewsBBC NewsBBC News is the department of the British Broadcasting Corporation responsible for the gathering and broadcasting of news and current affairs. The department is the world's largest broadcast news organisation and generates about 120 hours of radio and television output each day, as well as online...