Mebyon Kernow (Cornwall’s own political party!)

Fowey, Ava Lily

Mebyon Kernow is the official political party for Cornwall. It wants its own devolved parliament (just like other Celtic nations such as Scotland) so it could use its local power to campaign for local people.

MK is not in the pocket of big business, and has no political masters in London to please. While our members always fight for what we think is best for Cornwall. Mebyon Kernow

Who leads Mebyon Kernow?

• Councillor Dick Cole is the party leader. An elected councillor for over 25 years, he previously worked for Cornwall Archaeological Unit. In his time in local politics, he has made 55 successful grant applications for local parish councils and community groups, raising over £1 million.
• Former leader Councillor Loveday Jenkin (what a lovely name!) is an ecologist who is active in the Cornish language movement, and the party spokesperson in the language.
• Councillor Andrew Long is active with a community group which holds a soup run for homeless people in Plymouth.

The party also has 28 regional town and parish councillors across the county.

What are policies of Mebyon Kernow?

• Affordable housing (Cornwall is full of empty second homes pricing locals out). So the party would put limits on Airbnb residences, in line with what Barcelona has done abroad.
• Saving local shops and pubs – Cornwall is quite a long way from supermarket central distribution houses. So the party would promote local food and beer, to keep money within communities.
• Climate change measures – Cornwall often suffers from freak weather, often due to climate change policies set at Westminster.

A potential ban on Cornish campaigning?

Reform UK does not appear to care about Cornwall. Recently many local MPs resigned, after being told by national office to focus less on local issues, and more on scrapping net zero and stopping stopping immigration.

Byline Times reports that Richard Tice MP has recently introduced a Bill (signed by all sitting Reform UK MPs) to ban the use of Cornish, Scottish or Irish languages on election leaflets, facing a fine or possible six months in jail if not compliant?

I find it worrying that MPs have such little respect for the Cornish language. The clause is so daft that it would even ban people from campaigning. We would not be allowed to use our party name on election materials, as it is in Cornish. Mebyon Kernow councillor

Cornish councillors may be told they can’t campaign in Cornish. But this is not a site owned by government, so we can. And here’s our message:

Yma dhe’n bobel a Gernow rag dewis yethow aga kampanya aga honan, na Reform UK

Following in the footsteps of George Fox?

If Cornish people go to jail in protest at peaceful politics, they will be in good company! Quaker founder George Fox (who was mostly based at Ulverston in Cumbra with his wife, when one or the other was not in jail) was imprisoned for 9 weeks at Launceston jail. For refusing to confirm to religious and social customs, and having long hair!

On his release, he refused to pay a fine for not removing his hat in court – and was promptly thrown in jail again! Locals who visited him were so impressed, it helped to spread the movement. George will be sure to be cheering on the Cornish people, from wherever he is!