London based Minister will not help Cornwall – MPs
Local Liberal Democrat MPs have said the Conservative Party ‘just doesn’t get it’, following Tory promises of a “Minister for Cornwall.” Their plans would mean another Government salary for a Conservative MP, if Cameron’s party win a majority in May.
Liberal Democrats have campaigned for a powerful Cornish Assembly, to draw down money and power from London.
North Cornwall’s MP, Dan Rogerson, presented a Bill to Parliament last year, with detailed proposals to turn Cornwall Council into a 123 member assembly, with similar powers to those of the National Assembly for Wales.
Commenting, he said:
“Promising a Minister for Cornwall is just yet more Tory window dressing.
“Making up a red box marked ‘Cornwall’ might mean the trappings of Ministerial office for another Conservative MP, but it won’t mean any change for people here.
“Even when I was growing up here in Bodmin, it was clear to me that London governments just didn’t get Cornwall’s needs.
“Today’s Conservatives still don’t.
“Only a strong Assembly, taking real money and power from Whitehall and bringing it back into Cornish hands will really allow us to protect local services and community life here in Cornwall.”
Prospective MP for St Austell and Newquay, Steve Gilbert, added:
“This is yet another election gimmick from the Tories.
“When they’ve had a chance to vote to back Cornwall they turned it down.
“Actions speak louder than words and the Conservatives both in government and opposition have failed to back Cornwall.”
Notes:
- Dan Rogerson’s Government of Cornwall Bill is available here: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmbills/132/09132.i-iii.html
- Liberal Democrat MPs from across Britain recently voted together to recognise the Cornish national identity with a tick box on to the 2011 census. The Conservatives did not vote. See HC Deb, 1st Dec 2009, col. 1030 – http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200910/cmhansrd/cm091201/debtext/91201-0013.htm#09120160000002
