No to ‘super region’ authority plan – George 

Posted on: 13th January 2025

Speaking in response to suggestions from Plymouth City Council that Cornwall join a ‘super region’ with neighbouring authorities, Liberal Democrat MP for West Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Andrew George said: 

“Plymouth City Council seems to believe it can instruct Cornwall, that we must be swallowed up into a Southwest ‘super region’ with a directly elected mayor. 

“Of course, Plymouth has as much right to tell Cornwall how it should be governed as Cornwall has to dictate to Plymouth, or indeed anywhere else over the border in England. 

“To suggest – as the Government does – that if Cornwall wants devolved power, it must establish partnerships with neighbours, would have been like telling Wales it could only have an Assembly if it partners with the west Midlands. 

“Devolution is about letting go of power, not holding on, to micro-manage. 

“Cornwall’s six MPs are united; determined to secure devolution on a Cornwall-only footprint.  

“We wish Plymouth, and authorities to the east, well in their negotiations and partnerships. I note there’s a desire to establish a “South West Peninsula Mayoral Strategic Authority”. Cornwall won’t be part of it. Though we’d of course be pleased to work with them, just as we would with any other devolved authorities in other parts of England. 

“Cornwall acquiesced over the years to various service partnerships (such as police) for administrative convenience. But as this process could crucially undermine Cornwall’s right to remain distinctive, to reflect our distinct cultural, historic and Celtic identity, just as in Wales and Scotland, Cornwall must now assert its right to self-determination. 

“All MPs, Cornwall Council and many Town and Parish Councils are resolved.”