Newspaper Column – The Cornishman– 18/05/26

• I’m delighted to be lobbied to “defend free speech”. It’s just odd that some who say they’re worried about the erosion of free speech seem also to support politicians and a Party which bans journalists from their events, seems keen to close down discussion on a £5m “personal donation” from a Thailand-based crypto billionaire, back a US President who curbed legal freedoms for media organisations he disapproves of, and excuse the far-right Netanyahu government which has targeted and killed hundreds of journalists. 
  

• Our Presidential-style system of government continues to focus pressure at the top. PMs, like Football managers, are sport for our media. Once journalists have their claws into them it becomes mutually perpetuating. If they can’t find a willing MP to stand up their story, they report what each other say. MPs who have toiled away in the carbon monoxide of obscurity for what feels like centuries can be enticed with promises of five seconds of fame, but only if they say something unhelpful to oxygenate the media feeding-frenzy.  

This is the “pedestal syndrome”, where the public and media love building people up, just to then enjoy the sport of knocking them down.  

Perhaps there isn’t a way of avoiding these media dramas? To grant PMs dignified space to engage in drama-free, sensible succession planning. 

 

• I’m pleased to report another campaign victory. Motability made a three-point turn on the unpopular “Orwellian surveillance” Drive Smart tracking scheme I reported in this column last week. When Motability Chiefs left my Penzance office to return to London to reflect on our meeting a few days before their announcement, they promised to listen and review. So, the PAUSE is welcome. Particular credit to Disability Rights campaigner and constituent, Keron Day.  

I’ve also urged them to work with us as we tackle Government ministers to halt the counterproductive tax burden and the mileage limits, which will force many disabled people to give up jobs. Alongside this has been the disgraceful scapegoating of disabled people by far-right millionaire MPs. This has consequences, with disabled people abused and threatened. 

The pause is a win. But it’s only the start. 

 

• Thank you to all who promoted Mental Health week last week. And the call to “Take action” to support those in need. 

The Cornwall “Speak their Name” Memorial Quilt is a kind opportunity to remember those we have lost to an illness to which we must always strive to find an answer. I viewed it on its tour, when it was displayed at Zennor Church. Impressive and poignant. Remembering friends and loved ones. 

I also met others including the Mental Health Foundation in Parliament last week. Cornwall experiences greater distress than the national average. This is not just a national crisis. Mental health must achieve parity with physical health. Government plans to improve opportunities for self-referral are encouraging to hear. This cannot come too soon.