Cornwall minister 'just window dressing'
CONSERVATIVE plans to appoint a Minister for Cornwall have been dismissed as "window dressing" by the Lib-Dems.
The Western Morning News revealed this week that David Cameron is poised to accept the proposal, drawn up by senior advisers, if he wins the General Election.
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A source said Labour's South West minister was "too thinly spread" but a minister with responsibility for Cornwall could help address its unique problems, including "literally how far it is from Westminster and historic deprivation".
But the Lib-Dems claimed the plan was proof that the Tories "just don't get it" and would make little difference to people living in the county.
Instead, they have demanded a "powerful Cornish Assembly", mirroring the Welsh Assembly, to draw down money and power from Whitehall.
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North Cornwall MP Dan Rogerson said: "Promising a Minister for Cornwall is just yet more Tory window dressing.
"Making up a red box marked 'Cornwall' might mean the trappings of ministerial office for another Conservative MP, but it won't mean any change for people here.
"Only a strong assembly, taking real money and power from Whitehall and bringing it back into Cornish hands, will really allow us to protect services and community life in Cornwall."
Under the plan drawn up for Mr Cameron, areas like Devon and Somerset would not receive the same special representation in a Conservative government. The appointments for key areas have been likened to Tory heavyweight Michael Heseltine, who was dubbed Minister for Merseyside in the early 1980s.
In 2007, Hertford and Stortford Tory MP Mark Prisk was appointed "shadow minister for Cornwall" by Mr Cameron, to "listen to people in Cornwall, to understand their concerns, to get to grips with the issues and report back to me".
It is understood the government post would play a similar role, bringing together Whitehall departments and agencies, though it is not clear if Mr Prisk would keep the appointment.
Steven Gilbert, Lib-Dem candidate in St Austell and Newquay, said: "This is yet another election gimmick from the Tories."
Gordon Brown appointed a Minister for the South West after becoming Prime Minster in June 2007. The role was first held by Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw, who was also a health minister.
When he was promoted to Culture Secretary, the role of South West minister passed to South Dorset MP and employment minister Jim Knight.
However, the Conservatives have been outspoken in their criticism of Labour's regional policy agenda.
Mr Cameron said last month: "We really are going to look at those regions, and we're going to say those spatial strategies, transport plans, assemblies, most of those regional development agencies, those regional targets – the whole lot is going."
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by Slimslad, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Thursday, March 25 2010, 6:32PM
“Dave, Truro, comparing Hebrew with one of the 3 Cornish revived languages?”
by Dave, Truro
Thursday, March 25 2010, 1:03AM
“1910: Jewish genocide? What's this nonsense! There are only a few hundred speakers of Hebrew! A Jewish state? Yeah right!
2010: Cornish genocide? What's this nonsense! There are only a few hundred speakers of Cornish! A Cornish state? Yeah right!”
by Geordie, Newcastle
Tuesday, March 23 2010, 8:17AM
“"Cornish Genocide"?
What is this nonsense?
Mebyon Kernow.?
With 3 councillors and 300 Kernow speakers, talking 3 different dialects?
Get ready for Government!!”
by Albert, Truro
Monday, March 22 2010, 6:02PM
“"Cornish Genocide"
I see Onan the Barbarian has been allowed onto the Internet again. However, I think his meds should be double-dosed for a while, obviously they're not working properly.”
by Peter B Wellington, Wellington House Hotel, Falmouth
Friday, March 19 2010, 10:15PM
“Typical Lib Dem comments, they have been promising real power to Cornwall for years, and have failed to deliver.
When a main stream party promises exactly the same, but actually could deliver it, they naturally rubbish it.
One of only two men could be Prime Minister on May 7th and votersshould be thinking about which of those two men they would prefer to see in power and batting for Britain, rather than wasting their vote on a Lib Dem candidate with no chance whatsoever of winning real power.
Sure then can talk a lot.
The problem is the people in Cornwall have had enough of talk, we want results.”
by Pawl, Kernow
Friday, March 19 2010, 5:49PM
“We all know the Tories are telling us lies and courting the popular vote, but just where is that Cornish Parliament you have been promising us for years Lib Dems ?”
by Matt, Truro, England
Friday, March 19 2010, 3:40PM
“I wasn't aware cavemen could get onto the internet, or that they could get a broadband connection in their cave.”
by Chris, Truro
Friday, March 19 2010, 2:33PM
“A sad tale of employment Sheepdog Bob, not quite up there with the Final Solution though is it?? Like I said its not real geneocide so stop banding such an awful term round so casually”
by Sheepdog Bob, Lizard
Friday, March 19 2010, 2:23PM
“Genocide may be a bit strong, but certainly it is 'Enforced Migration'; which is in the bracket as genocide in the eyes of the Human Rights Lawyers. I when younger I left home twice to get a job, the second time transfering to a branch in Truro, only to be made redundant two and a half years later!”
by Chris, Truro
Friday, March 19 2010, 1:35PM
“"Cornish Geneocide" are you serious, where are the mass graves then? Dont be so silly as to use words like that unless you've been to Auschwitz or Srebrenica and seen real geneocide!”