CORNISH HOME RULE?

"PROOF IN THE PUDDING"

Liberal Democrat Peer, Lord (Paul) Tyler this week took Ministers to task over their intentions for local government in Cornwall. 

Exchanges in the House of Lords saw the Government reaffirm its commitment to devolving powers – on a whole range of issues, including transport – to “sub-regions”.  Speaking in the Chamber, Lord Tyler slammed Conservative economic regions, like the South West, as “artificial creations” and said that areas such as Cornwall and Northumberland clearly had a “distinct, historic and geographical identity” and are “clearly sub-regions in that sense”.

He challenged the Government further to give power to new local authorities so that they could pilot a local income tax to replace what he called the “failed Conservative council tax model”.

This morning, Lord Tyler met with all five of Cornwall’s MPs to discuss the Minister’s response.  The six agreed that Ministers were still ‘making the right noises’ about devolution to Cornwall and said they would keep the pressure on as the process continues.

Commenting, Lord Tyler said:

“The Government’s “sub-region” language is very ugly but it should be good news for Cornwall. Throughout this process the Government have signalled their clear intention to devolve power away from Westminster.

“But they still need to be braver.  I proposed an amendment to the new local government legislation to put the onus on local authorities to establish their terms with central government – not the other way round.

“The Minister accepted that premise but didn’t accept the amendment.  We all know the government has a lot of convincing to do in the next few weeks if Cornish people are to believe in their stated good intentions.

“My MP colleagues will be pressing Ministers to go further in the Commons when this legislation returns tomorrow.

“The proof in these matters is in the pudding, so the government must urgently spell out the extent, route-map and timetable for meaningful devolution to Cornwall.”

ENDS