Tyr-Gwyr-Gweryn

CORNISH ASSEMBLY REFERENDUM ON LINE PETITION

By signing this petition you can help Cornwall to persuade the UK Government to hold a referendum in Cornwall and to establish a devolved, directly-elected Regional Assembly of Cornwall.

Dear Friend,

If you would like to support Cornwall’s campaign to persuade the UK Government to establish a directly elected Regional Assembly of Cornwall then you can do so by signing this e-petition. Just click on http://www.PetitionOnLine.com/kernow2/petition.html. Please sign and pass this on to as many as you can, wherever they are. Thanks.

If you live in Cornwall and want a Cornish Assembly, together with a reform of local government in Cornwall, please sign.

If you do not live in Cornwall but wish to sign then your support will be very welcome. We believe that a successful region of Cornwall is in the national interest.

If you live outside the UK please show your support because it is important that the Government realises that Cornwall plays a role in the lives of people throughout the World, and that this is an important factor in making a successful region.

The petition closes on March 31st 2003. All signatures will be sent to the UK Deptuy Prime Minister, John Prescott, at referenduminterest@odpm.gov.uk. You may care to write separately.

Below is a page of further information which we hope you find helpful.

If you would like to join the Cornish Constitutional Convention or help in any way, please contact us at:

PO Box 7, Truro TR1 1WW

www.senedhkernow.com.

Yours sincerely

Bert Biscoe

On behalf of the Steering Group of the Cornish Constitutional Convention

Information

Regional Devolution in UK

The Deputy Prime Minister of the UK is consulting the people as part of the Government’s initiative to establish directly elected regional assemblies, following devolution to Scotland, Wales, London and Northern Ireland. The Government’s present proposal is to include Cornwall within a south west region, which would be the largest of the English regions, stretching from Bristol in the North to the Isles of Scilly in the south. Cornwall is campaigning to be recognised as a region itself, and to persuade the Government to create a devolved regional Assembly of Cornwall. The Government is sounding-out the level of demand for referendums in the regions in this consultation. It is, as yet, undecided on what to do about Cornwall as a region.

Cornish Constitutional Convention

The Cornish Constitutional Convention is a voluntary association. Its objective is to campaign to establish a directly elected, devolved Assembly of Cornwall. It has mounted a strong, well-argued case, and is strongly backed. Its membership includes members of all leading political parties and groups in Cornwall, and of the voluntary and private sectors, of all faiths and none. It has an Equal Opportunities policy.

Cornwall – a natural region

Cornwall is a region. It has an internationally renowned cultural identity, and an economic profile which combine to distinguish it from other neighbouring regions. It is a poor region which is currently subject of a European Union Structural Funds Objective 1 programme. Current regeneration investment by the EU and UK government will total Ł1bn between 2000 and 2010.

A distinctive region

Cornwall was a major tin and copper mining area during the 19^th century. It experienced the first major industrial collapse of the Industrial Revolution. This led to mass emigration and Cornwall now has friends and family all over the World. The former mining landscapes and buildings form the core of a bid for World Heritage Site status. Recently, the UK Government recognised the Cornish language, which has been successfully revived in the past 100 years, as a British minority language. Cornwall’s long and colourful history is that of a distinct, proud, innovative and challenging region which, as its economy and confidence rekindles, seeks new, stronger democratic institutions to lead it in the 21^st century, that enable Cornwall to once again become one of the leading regions of Britain and Europe.

Developing trade

If Cornwall’s economy is to sustain recent development, and repay the present investment, then the region needs the institutions and leadership of a devolved Assembly in order to develop relationships and presence in European, UK and international markets. Whilst peripheral in British terms, Cornwall is well positioned to develop strong links with many European regions. It is a member of the Atlantic Arc and the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions.

Reversing centralisation

The biggest factor which has led to post-war economic decline in Cornwall has been the impact of intense centralisation as transport links have developed, lifestyles and corporate structures have changed. A devolved Assembly will lead a reinvestment by the Government into Cornwall to counter this trend.

Influencing policy

Cornwall is a peripheral UK region. It needs to influence policy development at the centre by having a regional seat at central policy-makers’ tables. Again, a devolved Assembly will achieve this presence, and will lead to Cornwall playing a more positive role in national life.

Public support

There is very strong popular support in Cornwall for a referendum in Cornwall on the question of establishing a devolved, directly elected Assembly of Cornwall. It is far greater than for any other region – recent response from Cornwall to the ‘Your region, Your Choice’ Government white paper was greater than for the rest of the Country put together.

Boundaries & size

There is no significant boundary issue involved in establishing Cornwall as a region. Indeed, establishing the Cornish Region would render the 6-county SW more coherent.

The UK Government’s own research clearly shows that the comparatively small size of Cornwall compared with standard English regions is not an impediment – many European regions are smaller, and UK ‘satellites’ such as Isle of Man or Channel Islands are significantly smaller than Cornwall. The recent University College of London Report by Mark Sandford finds that Cornwall would be a viable region.

CORNISH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate use

CAMPAIGNERS APPLAUD CORNWALL COUNCIL’S VOTE DEMANDING CORNISH DEVOLUTION REFERENDUM

“We have moved forward decisively” says Convention leader

Members of the Cornish Constitutional Convention have warmly welcomed the decision by Cornwall County Council to call on the Government to hold a referendum in Cornwall.

An overwhelming majority supported the motion by Lib-Dem David Whalley. Support came from all sides, including Labour, and Independents, demonstrating a strong consensus which reflect results of a specially commissioned MORI poll.

A referendum would mean that the people of Cornwall could decide whether they want an elected Cornish Regional Assembly or to be merged with the South West. The decision comes as a response to the Government’s consultation on referendums for elected regional assemblies launched by John Prescott MP in December.

Leading up to the strongly supported resolution the Council commissioned a MORI poll to test the level of interest in Cornwall. Speaking at an informal meeting of campaign supporters in Truro on Friday 28^th February, after the Council meeting, Bert Biscoe, chair of the Cornish Constitutional Convention said:

‘In June 2002 a poll showed 46% of respondents wanting a Cornish Assembly. Eight months later, in the Council’s MORI poll, that has risen to 55%. 70% of respondents want a referendum in Cornwall.

There is a very strong sense now that, following the Council’s decision, the consensus of support is coming together which we need to persuade the government that Cornwall means business in its quest to be established as a region.

Our campaign is a natural extension of the Objective 1 regeneration. It seeks the ‘toolkit’ to ensure that the green shoots of economic recovery can be nurtured and brought to maturity, to the benefit not only of the people and communities of Cornwall, but to the benefit of the Country as a whole.’

Mr Biscoe went on to caution that this is a significant step along the way, and that it will be forceful in persuading the Government to eventually devolve to Cornwall. There is far to go. The Convention is determined and resourceful. It has mounted a strong response to the government

consultation with an E-Petition attracting worldwide support, a major conference at the Hall for Cornwall, and a strong submission of evidence in support of its case. He said:

“Cornwall’s challenge is to build our case, respond to all the various stages along the way, be resolved, positive and cheerful. Sometimes, things can look dark, and it is then that the smile on our faces must be broadest. Cornwall is a natural and strongly motivated region with a great future. The Government can be persuaded, and although presently unwilling to concede, has shown itself equally willing to listen. We live in a democracy, and our role is to promote the debate about the future of the Cornish Region, and to be persuasive, determined and open. We must be prepared to take risks for the good of Cornwall, and to represent resolutely the aspirations of our community. With the Council calling for a Cornish referendum we have moved forward decisively.”

END

Contact: Bert Biscoe 01872 242293 bertbiscoe@btinternet.com

Phil Rendle (Press Officer)

Website: Cornish Assembly

Cornish Constitutional Convention

PO Box 7 Truro TR1 1WW

NOTE:

The Cornish Constitutional Convention is a voluntary association set up in 2000 to campaign for the establishment of a devolved regional Assembly for Cornwall. In December 2001 it presented a 50,000 signature petition to Downing Street calling for a Cornish Assembly. The delegation was led by all four Cornish Liberal Democrat MPs. In February 2002 Nick Raynsford MP came to Cornwall and met leaders of the Convention. At their AGM in 2001 the guest speaker was Jim Wallace SMP. The convention has published a number of reports, and jointly commissioned the University of London ‘Sandford Report’ – an analysis of options for devolution in the south west which concluded that a two-region model (ie Cornwall and a 6-county south west) is viable.