Cornwall ‘front and centre’ of Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s agenda

Politicians in Cornwall have welcomed the Duchy being “put front and centre” in Andy Burnham’s first statement to Parliament as Prime Minister.

Yesterday, in his first address to the House of Commons, Mr Burnham talked about his recent visit to Truro and his commitment to start work on a new devolution deal for Cornwall.

He said: “I was glad to meet the Liberal Democrat leader of Cornwall Council with my honourable friend the Member for Truro and Falmouth on my recent visit. I know like many rural economies across the UK, Cornwall lacks a basic level of infrastructure which in turn harms growth and holds back living standards and life chances and I heard the cross-party call for a devolution deal.

“I understand concerns in this house about the potential emergence of a two-tier England between those with devolved power and those without and I will not ignore them. So, I have asked No 10 North to begin work with Cornwall Council and its six MPs on a devolution deal with or without an elected mayor.”

Jayne Kirkham, Labour MP for Truro and Falmouth, who accompanied Burnham on his visit to the Truro area last month, said: “I am so pleased that the Prime Minister has recognised Cornwall’s needs particularly as one of the first places he visited and in his very first speech to the House of Commons and look forward to working with Number 10 North on this.

“He recognised that our lack of infrastructure has been holding us back and pledged to help.”

Anna Gelderd, Labour MP for South East Cornwall, added: “It’s fantastic that Cornwall has been put front and centre in Andy’s first statement to Parliament as Prime Minister. For an area that has too often felt forgotten by Westminster, this is a clear signal that Cornwall matters and that our communities, industries and ambitions are being taken seriously.

“The Prime Minister has made clear that this Government will work with MPs and local leaders in Cornwall to give our communities the powers we need to drive growth and make decisions locally. I am proud to be part of a Labour Government that is recognising Cornwall’s brilliant potential and I’ll continue working with colleagues from across the political spectrum to make sure that South East Cornwall benefits from all opportunities on the table.”

Leading Liberal Democrat politicians in Cornwall are “cautiously optimistic” at the Prime Minister’s pledge.

Ben Maguire, Lib Dem MP for North Cornwall, said the comments by the PM “certainly send promising signals and seem to be a step in the right direction after months of Cornwall being overlooked on the devolution front. For the first time, we’re hearing recognition from the very top of

Government that Cornwall won’t be forced to have a mayor or merged with another authority, simply to access the powers and funding we’ve been promised for years.

“I do, of course, want to be cautiously optimistic here though. Warm words in the House of Commons are one thing, but delivery is another, and Cornwall has been quite badly burnt by empty promises before. Along with colleagues I’ll be holding the Prime Minister and Number 10 North to this commitment every step of the way and won’t stop pushing until we see a genuine, bespoke devolution deal on Cornwall’s own terms”.

Andrew George, Lib Dem MP for St Ives and the Isles of Scilly, added: “The PM’s high-profile recognition of Cornwall’s unique case is welcome. He should also be aware there’s no limit to our ambitions for devolution. However, I just hope he’ll also recognise that the metropolitan template of devolution would not be appropriate for a unique Celtic region like Cornwall.”

Leigh Frost, Lib Dem leader of Cornwall Council, said: “When I met the Prime Minister here in Cornwall, I made sure he heard our position loud and clear, including our red lines on a forced mayor or a merger with Devon. It’s encouraging that he’s listened and is now committing to work with the council and all six of our MPs through Number 10 North.

“There’s a lot of detail still to work through, but this feels like a genuine opportunity to get the right deal for Cornwall and I’m glad he has used his first speech in the Commons to set this out.”

We have asked Perran Moon, Labour MP for Camborne, Redruth and Hayle, for a comment.