Cornwall Council issues damning criticism of UK Government

News from Kernow Matters To Us:

Cornwall Council issues damning criticism of UK Government

Following the Council of Europe's recent highly critical report detailing the Westminster Government's poor treatment of the Cornish National Minority which made headlines not only in Britain but further afield including amongst the overseas Cornish diaspora, Cornwall's unitary government, Cornwall Council has now written an open letter to Westminster Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, the Right Honourable Sajid Javid MP.

The letter reveals official and widespread disappointment over the Westminster Government's handling of the Council of Europe's report and it is copied in full below.

Sajid Javid is no friend of Cornwall or the Cornish of course. Last year, a speech he made went viral across social and mainstream media and caused an outcry in Cornwall and beyond when he told a meeting: “Some in Cornwall, for example, see their ‘county’ as distinct from the rest of the ‘region’ a special case that should be handled separately from everywhere else East of the Tamar. That whole attitude has to change.”

People in the Duchy were astounded that Mr Javid whose family heritage is from Pakistan could even say such a thing of a British indigeneous minority and apparently contradict even the then Prime Minister Cameron's words of the year before, notably “There is a distinctive history, culture and language in Cornwall which we should celebrate and make sure is properly looked after and protected.”

One respected political commentator was forced to say "Tory hatred of the Cornish and Cornwall is palpable, and it knows no bounds or borders" in his column opinion piece.

Cornwall goes to the polls on May 4th for both Cornwall Council and every Town and Parish Council seat.

So, many across Cornwall now watch and wait with more than considerable interest in what the response to our Council's perfectly reasonable letter is to be.

The letter sent by the Leader and Chief Executive of Cornwall Council follows:

Abbreviated version:

"We welcome the findings of the report from the Council of Europe which recognises the importance of Cornwall’s unique culture and heritage and sets out a series of clear recommendations for the UK Government on how to meet its legal obligations to protect Cornwall’s cultural identity.

The Opinion Report raises serious concerns over the way in which the UK Government is currently meeting its legal obligations, particularly with regard to support for the Cornish language, and calls on the Government to take all necessary steps to ensure access to the linguistic, cultural and human rights provided by the Framework Convention to the Cornish minority. 

The Opinion Report sets out a number of specific recommendations related to Cornwall, the majority of which we have already been pursuing with the UK Government and other national bodies.  These include calling on the Government to review its decision to cut funding for the Cornish language, and taking action to include a Cornish tick-box in the next census and revise the BBC Charter to include the Cornish language in the list of minority languages.

Although the Government’s Response does comment on a small number of the issues raised by the Council of Europe, it fails to address the majority of its recommendations.  We note the Government’s previous comment on the creation of the Cornish Culture Fund and the offer to work with the Council and partners to build on the devolution deal.  However, while we welcome the announcement of funding to help promote Cornwall’s cultural distinctiveness over the next two years, we are very disappointed with the small amount of funding they are providing. 

Cornwall Council is committed to ensuring the Cornish can access the linguistic and cultural rights accorded by the Framework Convention."

Full version:

https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/media/25274090/javid-17-03-17-council-of-europe-fourth-opinion.pdf

Report by the Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities:

https://rm.coe.int/CoERMPublicCommonSearchServices/DisplayDCTMContent?documentId=09000016806fb9ab

Kernow Matters To Us reports racism aimed at the Cornish

The latest report submitted by KMTU to the police, Cornwall Council and the Equality and Human Rights Commission details a further six cases of appallingly offensive remarks aimed at the Cornish which are not suitable for publication here. An overall picture is now being constructed to demonstrate the real hurt such offence causes. One of our members continues to be in protracted contact with the Metropolitan Police regarding an outrageous article which appeared in one of the London ‘red top’ ‘newspapers’ linking the Cornish language with ISIS inspired terrorism.

Cornish Language Funding

Our request under the Freedom of Information Act to view material relating to the Westminster Government’s original decision is now with the Information Commissioners for consideration.

Support real and indigenous Cornish culture

West Briton poll here: http://www.cornwalllive.com/vote-for-the-very-best-in-cornwall-in-the-first-round-of-the-wocas-what-s-on-awards-2017/story-30215645-detail/story.html

There is plenty to support in this poll and plenty to rightly regard as superfluous. Impactive and worthy of a vote is Dr Alan Kent’s collaborative venture - The Dream Team: The Mousehole Cat as well as the Man Engine Tour amongst others. 

You are invited and it's donation only with light refreshments:

'Cornish Political Cartoons'

Agan Tavas has organised a talk from John Rowe, from Camborne and working at Plymouth University, with the title 'Cornish Political Cartoons'.

Part will be in Cornish and part in English with English translations.

It will be held at Murdoch House, Redruth on Saturday 1st April starting 7.00pm. Light refreshments will be provided and entry is by donation.

Please inform (Ray) if you are coming.
.
Gans oll an gwella,

Ray Chubb
Scryvynyas Agan Tavas

e. ray@spyrys.org

We pay tribute to our often demoralised underfunded and ill equipped emergency and public service workers in the face of criminal acts of violence. Many of our members are in the public services or have retired following many years in them and it is true to say that, as always, the buck stops with them. Blessings to each and every one of our public service personnel.

Kernow bys Vyken!

Issued on behalf of Kernow Matters To Us.

By Elected Members of the KMTU Steering Group

 

Disclaimer: 
This blog is provided for general informational purposes only. The opinions expressed here are the author's alone and not necessarily those of Transceltic.com.