Angry at the cut to Cornish language funding. Join the fightback. Join Mebyon Kernow today.

It has been a rough week for Cornwall and its culture, with the shocking news that the Conservative Government has ended funding for the Cornish language.

It shows that Westminster is failing Cornwall and cannot be trusted to do what is right for Cornwall.

So if you agree with MK’s campaign for political recognition and the greater recognition of our distinct identity and language – and are not already a member of Mebyon Kernow – why not join MK today?

Individual membership only costs £15 per individual (waged) or £8 (unwaged); family membership is £20 per household, while life membership is a bargain at £300 per person.

Members get Cornish Nation magazine three times a year, as well as the opportunity to attend numerous local events and take part in campaigns to win a better deal for Cornwall.

You can join online at:
https://www.mebyonkernow.org/support/membership/

Alternatively you could send a cheque made out to Mebyon Kernow to me at Mebyon Kernow c/o Lanhainsworth, Fraddon Hill, Fraddon, St Columb, TR9 6PQ.

I would certainly love to hear from you.

Please sign the petition in support of funding for the Cornish language

An online petition has been launched on the Parliament website, which calls on central government to continue to provide annual financial support for the Cornish language.



It has been launched by Dr Jon Mills and can be located at: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/128474

If you haven’t already signed the petition, please do so and contact as many of your friends as you can and ask them to do the same.

Mebyon Kernow slams shameful cuts to Cornish language funding

On behalf of Mebyon Kernow – the Party for Cornwall, Cllr Loveday Jenkin has condemned the decision of the Conservative Government to end funding for the Cornish language.

In a statement issued today, she said:

“In 2002, the Cornish language was recognised through the Council of Europe’s Charter for Regional and Minority Languages and, in April 2014, central government also recognised the Cornish as a national minority through the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.

“Through these treaties, central government gave a commitment to support Cornish identity, culture and language.

“It is therefore absolutely shameful that they have pulled the plug on vital funding for the language, reneging on their obligations, and showing their total disrespect for Cornwall’s national language.

“It is also extremely sad that local Conservative MPs, some of whom even took their parliamentary oaths in Cornish, have failed to fight for the language.”

Cllr Jenkin has also confirmed that Mebyon Kernow would fight this decision, adding that:

“I would appeal to all supporters of the language to lobby central government and local MPs by writing hundreds and hundreds of letters to them – all in Cornish!”

The cut to Cornish language funding: The actual letter from DCLG

I have just seen the official letter from central government to Cllr John Pollard concerning the request for funding for the Cornish language.

It was sent by James Wharton MP, the Minister for Local Growth and the Northern Powerhouse at the Department for Communities and Local Government.

It is frankly insulting and is as follows:

Dear Councillor Pollard

Thank you for your letter of 12 February to the Rt Hon Greg Clark MP regarding Cornish language funding. I am replying as this matter falls within my ministerial responsibilities.

An important aim of the Government is to devolve power and responsibility to the local level, since local people and organisations know best what their area needs in order to grow and be successful. The Cornwall Devolution Deal, which was the first county deal, demonstrates the Government’s ongoing commitment to Cornwall. For example, the Deal includes an agreement that Government would devolve a consolidated local transport budget and provides for a greater local role in commissioning skills training. It is our ambition to ensure that more decisions are taken locally by all parts of Government.

I am sure you will agree that it is for locally elected leaders to make decisions, on behalf of the Cornish people, on what should be funded in Cornwall. As you know, on top of the ambitious devolution deal, Cornwall Council has a core spending power of over £1.7 billion over the next four years.

As Cornwall continues to implement its Devolution Deal, I look forward to hearing more about the great progress that has been made and encourage you to work closely with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to ensure the continued recognition of Cornish culture.

BREAKING NEWS: Central government cuts Cornish language funding

Cornwall Council has just released a press statement condemning the Conservative Government, which has decided to “cut all its funding for the Cornish language with immediate effect.”

The main extract from the Cornwall Council press release is as follows:

“The Government has provided up to £150,000 a year to support the Cornish language since it was recognised under the Charter for Regional and Minority Languages in 2003. This grant has been used to support the development of the language, including funding a range of educational activities.

“At the end of last year the Council was asked by the Government to submit a bid for funding for the current financial year. This bid was supported by MPs, George Eustice and Sarah Newton, as well as Cornish Members of the House of Lords, Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, and the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LEP.

“The Council has now received a formal letter from the Department of Communities and Local Government stating that it was not providing any further funding to support the development of the Cornish language – despite the recognition of the Cornish people as a national minority in April 2014.”

I am absolutely appalled, and Mebyon Kernow will be making further comment in the next few hours.