MEBYON Kernow leader Dick Cole, who is urging everyone who cares about Cornwall to vote for his party in the forthcoming General Election, used St Piran's Day to call for a commission to investigate the underfunding of public services.

Local politicians should be demanding a fairer slice of national funding instead of "meekly standing by as Cornish services are cut", he said.

At the end of a week of events promoting Cornwall's self-determination under the banner of St Piran, which included marches, feasts and concerts, Mr Cole reiterated his appeal to voters by saying: "Cornwall needs MPs who will stand up and fight for the best interests of local people and to protect public services.

"There really is a better alternative to the situation we now have, and I appeal to one and all to look beyond the London-based parties and consider supporting a Cornish party that is one hundred per cent committed to local communities.

"A vote for MK will be a positive statement that we want Cornish communities to thrive, our economy to prosper and a clear statement that we are confident in the ability of local people to make the political decisions that matter. A large vote for MK and the election of one or more MK MPs would cause a political earthquake."

He went on to challenge all political parties to back MK's call for the establishment of a commission to investigate the extent of underfunding suffered by Cornish communities.

"Cornwall has been underfunded for years," he said. "We receive less money for our schools, hospitals and public services than elsewhere in the UK. We also lose out to the tier of unelected and unaccountable quangos based outside Cornwall.

"All the present talk is of cuts in central government funding to local councils and the resulting job losses and reductions in services. We should not be meekly standing by as Cornish services are cut, but demanding that Cornwall receives its fair share of expenditure to help us cope with the difficult economic times ahead."

MK is formally calling on the Government to set up a commission to investigate the full extent of underfunding in Cornwall, with a similar remit to the recent Holtham Commission organised by the Welsh Assembly that found Wales should be receiving an extra £300 million a year.

"I hope all political parties will support our call for such a commission for Cornwall. It is also my hope that the London parties will agree to abide by the findings of such a review and guarantee Cornish communities their fair share of future spending."

MK – which describes itself as the party for Cornwall – achieved significant gains in both the European and unitary council elections during 2009. Its prospective Parliamentary candidates now have their sights set on Westminster.

Building on Cornwall's heightened sense of distinctiveness and self-determination, activists hope to appeal to those who feel increasingly disillusioned with the Conservatives, Labour and Lib-Dems. They aim to appeal to those who have never considered voting MK in the past and hope that, as more people switch allegiance, the tide turns in their favour.

The candidates being put forward by the party Dick Cole (St Austell and Newquay), Loveday Jenkin (Camborne and Redruth), Simon Reed (St Ives), Loic Rich (Truro and Falmouth) and Joanie Willett (North Cornwall). A prospective Parliamentary candidate for the South East Cornwall is yet to be announced.

Taking a couple of hours off from campaigning, Dick Cole joined several hundred people to walk to the cross of St Piran in the dunes above Perranporth on Sunday. The annual pilgrimage and community play went ahead under clear blue skies.

Organiser Barbara Tremewan said: "You can gauge the importance of the event by the number of people who turn up every year to take part. The people of Cornwall love getting involved in St Piran celebrations and it is important that they do so. It is great to see so many people supporting Cornish culture."

Making her directorial debut on the community production, Kneehigh Theatre stalwart and Dalla musician Bec Applebee skilfully guided the cast of 20 through a series of comic scenes telling the story of Piran's journey across the sea from Ireland, encompassing words and song.

At its conclusion, Colin Retallick – who played St Piran for the second year – stood before the cross high on the dunes to address the crowd.

"Dynnargh onen hag oll. Welcome one and all," he said. "I am Piran. Piran of Kernow. I am Piran. And you are Piran. We who meet here today are all one. At this cross, we stand at a spiritual place, bounded by sea, hovering between earth and heaven. This cross symbolises our love of Kernow. Its three holes represent peace, unity and distinctiveness. The blocked hole remembers those who have gone before us. Here, today, we are united. Linked as a people, as a nation, with a common cause to protect and celebrate Kernow. When we leave this place, we must take with us these same vows. Cres ha kerensa rag onen hag oll. Peace and love for one and all. Kernow Bys Vykken! Cornwall Forever!"