The Green Party and Mebyon Kernow have reaffirmed their support for a Cornish Assembly. Green Party leader Natalie Bennett and Mebyon Kernow leader Dick Cole signed a declaration in support of the idea, demonstrating that politics can be conciliatory rather than always being confrontational.
Following a cordial lunch at the Royal Cornwall Museum Café, Ms Bennett and Cllr Dick Cole walked the short distance between the museum and County Hall in Truro for a signing ceremony. South West Green Party European candidate Emily McIvor also attended the meeting.
Emphasising the Green Party's long-standing support for the concept of a Cornish Assembly, Natalie Bennett said
The Green Party is committed to the devolution of power, so that decisions get taken at the most appropriate local level. It's for the people of Cornwall to decide in a referendum how much power they want to take back from Westminster.
We are impressed with the collaborative approach Mebyon Kernow has taken in inviting people to join a consultation on the form an Assembly might take. They have set out their views on how an Assembly for Cornwall might work, but are also asking people to think about what they want. Our local parties in Cornwall will be taking part in the process and we urge everyone who cares about democracy to do the same.[1]
Mebyon Kernow Leader Cllr Dick Cole said
It was a real pleasure to meet with Natalie and Emily to discuss a wide range of social, economic and environmental issues, including the need for democratic reform and the devolution of political power to Cornwall.
I am particularly pleased that they have reaffirmed the Green Party's strong support for the establishment of a Cornish Assembly.
South West Green Party European candidate Emily McIvor [2] said
The Greens in the European Parliament are working every day to promote policies that would benefit the people of Cornwall. [3] Green MEPs are in the same parliamentary grouping as MK's sister parties Plaid Cymru and the SNP, and we hope to continue a positive working relationship with Mebyon Kernow.
NOTES
[1] Mebyon Kernow Cornish Assembly Campaign and consultation: https://www.mebyonkernow.org/pages/cornish_assembly.php
[2] Emily McIvor is Senior EU Policy Advisor for the Humane Society International and is the Green Party National Speaker on Rural Affairs, as well as No. 2 on the list of SW European candidates: http://southwest.greenparty.org.uk/euros2014starthere/emily-mcivor.html
[3] The Greens/ European Free Alliance Group: http://www.greens-efa.eu/