Politics of Cornwall

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Cornish politics is influenced by a number of issues that make it distinct and different from the general political scene in the wider UK. There are however some similarities between the political make up of other modern Celtic nations in particular Wales. Cornish politics is also defined by its historical relationship between Liberalism the Conservative Party, and marked lack of organised trade unionism and Labour Party support.

1 The Cornish national issue
2 Other issues
3 Cornish nationalist parties
4 UK parties
5 Mainstream political parties in Cornwall
6 Cornish pressure groups
7 See also
- 7.1 Cornish national movement
8 Cornish politicians
9 Elections and results
10 Constitutional status of Cornwall

[edit] The Cornish national issue

Two of the main influencing factors in Cornish politics is the disputed position of Cornwall as separate constitutional entity within the UK and the rights of the Cornish people as a minority. These issues affect all of those involved Cornish politics even if those who are at odds with these ideas.

[edit] Other issues

The strong association with the Liberal Democrats and the Conservative Party can be traced to historical associations with Liberalism and non-conformist religion in the 19th century and similarly land ownership and the Conservative party in the same period. Growing dissatisfaction with European Union fishing policy including the Common fisheries policy has led to a growth of support for United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) within fishing ports such as Newlyn. At a local level the tradition of Independent candidates and councillors is far stronger than outside Cornwall.

[edit] Cornish nationalist parties

Main article: Cornish self-government movement

The principal political party in the Cornish Nationalist movement is Mebyon Kernow which labels itself as a 'centre-left, green and decentralist party' and has close association with its sister party Plaid Cymru in Wales, Mebyon Kernow's membership is currently calculated at around 500 members across Cornwall. The Cornish Nationalist Party was founded as a splinter group from Mebyon Kernow in the 1970s following a split over the ideological path of the the Cornish National Movement, The members of the Cornish Nationalist party favouring a more 'right of centre approach' to attracting support. Initially Led by Dr James Whetter, The Cornish Nationalist Party are not currently a registered political party under the Registration of Political Parties Act 1998 and therefore cannot stand for local or Westminster elections.

[edit] UK parties

Two other political parties recognise the cause of Cornish self determination, the Liberal Party and the Cornish section of the Green Party of England and Wales. The Communist Party of Britain also contains a commitment to a Cornish Assembly within its election literature.

[edit] Mainstream political parties in Cornwall

The Liberal Democrats and the Conservative Party are the main contenders for political office in Cornwall. The distinct nature of Cornish politics has lead to a significant number of office holders from both parties being supportive of greater Cornish autonomy. However with both parties this has never been official national policy. The Labour Party in Cornwall has a history of not supporting issues such as the creation of a Cornish Assembly a position supported by a conference of Cornish Labour Councillors in 2002, similar conferences held by the other two mainstream parties at the time resulted in majority support for the assembly issue.

[edit] Cornish pressure groups

Within Cornwall there are a growing number of pressure groups devoted to Cornish issues. Broadly speaking they can be divided into pressure groups devoted to local environment issues such as Surfers against Sewage or Cornish national issues with groups such as Cornwall 2000, the Cornish constitutional convention and Cornish solidarity.