The election results in the Duchy have been quite interesting, with a few seasoned councillors losing their seats and the Conservatives taking power, rough times are possibly ahead for Kernow.
Rough times in the shape of the Conservative parties plan to reform the planning rules, dubbed the developers charter. Kernow is one of the most popular places to live in the UK, with demand for housing from people relocating from other parts of the UK, developers will have a free rein under these proposals in the Duchy, developers will be able to claim any housing development no matter how unaffordable or ridiculously expensive is meeting a need.
Then there is Cornish identity, Kernow is now a Conservative stronghold, will they need to make any concessions or encourage the growth of Cornish identity? Sure they will make the right noises on St Piran’s day but beyond that it would seem highly unlikely…till at least we are a lot closer to the next election.
The next few years could make the previous five years seem like a golden time.
It cannot be dismissed that many people in the Duchy have taken time to vote and seen something they like in the Conservatives and they should be congratulated like the others who voted for at least taking the time to vote.
The fact is this council is elected on only a small number of people voting, in many cases the turnout was around forty percent, hardly an endorsement of local politics.
There is lot of discussion about why the majority of people in the Duchy are apathetic to voting and how can an engagement with local politics be made more relevant to them?
Maybe instead of offering just an abstract political argument it’s time to take a more tangible approach?
Maybe it’s time for an open debate on a way to create a movement encompassing the arts, language and the people and groups who campaign for more recognition for the Duchy to show people in Kernow this is what being Cornish is and your voice has to be heard
KernowCalling 