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THE organisers of Cornwall’s first march for self-determination say the event will allow them to “catch up with our Celtic cousins”.
AUOB Kernow’s first public event will be held at the mid-Cornwall town of St Austell tomorrow.
March for Kernow will start at 1pm, with hundreds of people expected to attend.
The group contests the present constitutional status of Cornwall and seeks greater autonomy within the UK in the form of a devolved legislative Cornish Assembly with powers similar to those in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. It follows in the footsteps of AUOB Scotland and AUOB Wales who have scheduled regular marches for independence.
READ MORE: ‘The fight is on!’: Independence march in Stirling attracts thousands
Neil McKay, who has organised various AUOB marches in Scotland, helped AUOB Kernow set up their event.
He told The National: “There is a clear desire for greater autonomy and self-determination in Cornwall.
“It’s brilliant because it shows across these islands the desire to leave Westminster rule. People want complete change.
“It’s lovely to see the desire for independence reciprocated and that people want to do their own version of the marches we’ve had in Scotland. It can only be a force for good.”
The organisers of the march told Nation Cymru: “Our historic right to self-determination is crucial in order to revitalise democracy and thereby enable ordinary people to address major cultural, social and economic issues that we are faced with on an everyday basis.
“It is a mechanism by which Kernow can ‘catch up’ with our Celtic cousins through a sustainable programme of marches and rallies to build community support for self-determination.
“As in Wales, there is a need for leading political figures to initiate a civic conversation over our constitutional future. How far is the status quo sustainable? Should we be considering devolution or even other forms of greater autonomy?”
The organisers pointed out that Cornwall was formerly a Brythonic kingdom and is recognised as one of the Celtic nations.
They added: “AUOB believes that every Celtic people have the right to self-determination.”
READ MORE: Scotland urged to show the world its desire for independence in COP26 march
Despite Cornwall’s booming tourism industry, Garry Tregidga of AUOB Kernow said it needed greater autonomy to allow them to combat many of its problems, which were similar to those in Wales.
“There’s a feeling that we are all suffering from the same level of centralisation,” he said when the group was formed in May.
“Conservative MPs are not representing the area,” he said. “They are representing London and the Conservative Party. I think people are therefore frustrated.
“So if representation in Westminster is not addressing their concerns, then the answer is or should be greater autonomy, whether that’s through independence or, more probably, devolution as a first step. Certainly I think that’s the way that people in Cornwall are thinking.”
In June, Cornwall council leader, Linda Taylor, said she will seek further devolved powers for Cornwall in order to help tackle the second homes crisis.
The Conservative said the council has told the government it is interested in discussing a county deal.
Since 2015, the unitary council has had some devolved powers over transport, skills and funding distribution.
But they now want more control over planning and taxation to help the county manage the impact of tourism. This would include imposing planning applications for holiday homes, and to increase council tax on second homes.
The council also wants to close a loophole where holiday homes are able to register as businesses.
Taylor told the LGC: “[Visitors] go to our coastal hotspots and think everybody’s living an idyllic life. But the harsh realities are, not everybody is.
“One of my commitments is, I want to follow through on what the prime minister says.
“I want to level things up in Cornwall so that everybody has an opportunity.
“I am definitely demonstrating strong leadership by virtue of the fact that the people of Cornwall put their trust in with the Conservatives.
“I’m making a strong case that I don’t think we need to have a directly elected mayor.”
Cornwall is not the only area in England wanting autonomy from Westminster rule, with the Northern Independence Party being set up last year after Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham reacted with outrage on TV at Westminster’s limited Covid support package for the city.
READ MORE: Party looking for north of England independence wants ‘voice like the SNP’
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