Cornish Assembly facts for kids

A Cornish Assembly is a proposed new parliament or law-making body for Cornwall, a county in the southwest of England. Some people in Cornwall, including politicians, believe that Cornwall should have its own assembly to make decisions about local issues. This idea is part of a process called devolution, where power is moved from a central government (like the Parliament of the United Kingdom in London) to a more local level. So far, the UK Parliament has not agreed to create a Cornish Assembly.

What is a Cornish Assembly?

A Cornish Assembly would be a special group of elected people who would make laws and decisions specifically for Cornwall. Think of it like a local government, but with more power, similar to how Scotland or Wales have their own parliaments. The goal is to give Cornish people more say in how their county is run.

Why do people want an Assembly?

People who support a Cornish Assembly believe it would help Cornwall in many ways. They argue that local decisions are best made by local people who understand the unique needs and culture of Cornwall. This could lead to better policies for things like education, healthcare, and the economy in the region.

What is Devolution?

Devolution means giving power from a central government to a regional or local government. It's about sharing power so that different parts of a country can make their own choices on certain matters. For example, Scotland has its own parliament that makes laws on many Scottish issues, while the UK Parliament still handles big national issues like defence.

A Look at Cornwall's History of Self-Governance

Cornwall has a long history of having some control over its own affairs. For hundreds of years, it had special courts called stannary courts that made rules for tin mining, which was very important to Cornwall's economy. These courts even had their own "parliament" for tin miners. The last meeting of this tinners' parliament was in 1751. This history is often used to support the idea of a new Cornish Assembly today.

The old Duchy Palace in Lostwithiel, where Cornish stannary courts once met to make rules for tin mining.

Efforts to Create an Assembly

Over the years, many people and groups have worked hard to try and get a Cornish Assembly. They have held meetings, organised campaigns, and gathered support from the public.

The Cornish Constitutional Convention

One important group is the Cornish Constitutional Convention. This group has been very active in campaigning for more self-governance for Cornwall. They look at other places in the world, like the Channel Islands, to see how they manage their own affairs.

What happened in 2001?

In 2001, a big step was taken when over 50,000 people signed declarations asking for a Cornish Assembly. This was a huge number, more than 10% of all the voters in Cornwall at the time! These signed declarations were then presented to 10 Downing Street, the official home of the UK Prime Minister, to show how much support there was for the idea.

In 2001, 50,000 signed declarations asking for a Cornish Assembly were delivered to 10 Downing Street.

Looking at Other Models: Guernsey

The Cornish Constitutional Convention has often pointed to places like Guernsey, one of the Channel Islands, as a good example of how Cornwall could have more control. Guernsey is not part of the UK, but it has its own government and makes many of its own laws. Supporters of a Cornish Assembly believe Cornwall could have a similar level of independence within the UK.

The Parliament building in Guernsey, an island that manages many of its own affairs, is seen as a possible model for Cornwall.

The Future of a Cornish Assembly

The idea of a Cornish Assembly continues to be an important topic in Cornwall. While the UK Parliament has not yet agreed to create one, supporters remain hopeful that one day Cornwall will have its own law-making body to decide its future.