Why North Cornwall’s MP Is Turning to Andy Burnham on Devolution

Cornwall was promised a devolution deal built around its own identity. By one MP’s account that deal still has not landed, and he is now looking past the current Government to make it happen.

The Liberal Democrat MP for North Cornwall, Ben Maguire, has today urged Andy Burnham to “hit the ground running” if he becomes Prime Minister, and finally deliver the bespoke devolution settlement Cornwall has repeatedly been promised but never received.

A “missed opportunity” for Cornwall

Ben Maguire said the Government’s English Devolution Bill was a major “missed opportunity” for Cornwall. He pointed to the failure to include any bespoke legal protections recognising Cornwall’s unique national minority status. There was also nothing in the legislation to stop the Duchy being forced into a merger with neighbouring authorities.

The fear of a forced merger with Devon

Ben Maguire has campaigned on this since his election. He has raised Cornwall’s case in Parliament through speeches, interventions and questions put directly to ministers. The warning has stayed the same throughout. As he sees it, the legislation leaves Cornwall exposed to being merged with Devon or another authority completely against the wishes of local people.

What Ben Maguire said

“If he becomes our next Prime Minister, Andy Burnham MUST hit the ground running and tackle Keir Starmer’s complete failure on Cornish devolution.

“For months, Ministers talked about a bespoke deal for Cornwall, yet when the legislation finally arrived there was nothing to protect us. Despite all my campaigning in Parliament and beyond, including holding meetings with key Ministers responsible for the Bill, the Government failed to provide any legal safeguards at all for Cornwall’s national minority status, or any guarantee against a forced merger with Devon or elsewhere. My North Cornwall constituents were very rightly shocked and outraged at this failure to protect the Cornish people.

“Cornwall deserves a proper, meaningful devolution deal on our own terms, with powers that reflect our distinct identity, history and communities. I look forward to working constructively with the Prime Minister, and his new Secretary of State for Local Communities, to make sure that protections for Cornwall are finally delivered.”

Whether that protection arrives now depends on who is sitting in Downing Street, and what they decide Cornwall is worth.