Celtic League Cornish nationalists threaten to blockade Tamar Bridge
CORNISH nationalists are threatening to block the Tamar Bridge in protest over Government plans to create a cross-border constituency in Devon and Cornwall.
The Celtic League is furious the Boundary Commission has been asked by the Government to investigate merging existing parliamentary constituencies across the UK in a bid to shave £12million a year off spending.
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Tamar Bridge uploaded to iHerald by Nik
According to the League, which has a branch in Cornwall, the integrity of the county's political constituencies, as separate Cornish entities in their own right, could be compromised.
Michael Chappell, secretary of the Cornish branch has written to all the Conservative and Liberal Democrat MPs in the two counties to express his concerns.
His letter said: "I write to strongly object to any cross-border constituencies and firmly believe that all Cornwall's MPs should represent Cornwall only and not Devon.
"I am personally committed to organising protests to block the Tamar Bridge with others, should this issue be progressed."
The Government plans to standardise the number of voters in a constituency to 75,000 voters.
The move would reduce the number of MPs from 650 to 600.
It would mean that two of Cornwall's six parliamentary seats – north Cornwall and east Cornwall – would need to be merged with constituencies in west Devon to make up the numbers.
Mr Chappell's words came as deputy leader of Mebyon Kernow, Andrew Long, revealed his fears over the planned changes to the political system.
Mr Long, said: "We are extremely angry that the government may force a cross-Tamar constituency on Cornwall.
"MK will fight to ensure that future Cornish constituencies in South East Cornwall will not be compromised through the merger of Cornish communities into a dysfunctional seat comprising parts of Devon."
The Celtic League has branches in Brittany, Cornwall, Ireland, Isle of Man, Scotland and Wales.
It works to promote co-operation between the six members and campaigns on a broad range of political, cultural and environmental issues.
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by Kevin, Plymouth or maybe Cornwall or Somerset
Monday, July 19 2010, 5:21AM
“C of Plymouth, sorry mate your wrong, the majority of us wouldnt give a dan to be honest, thats backed up having spoken to all my work mates about 5o in total, not one would complain, it wouldnt make the slightest difference to our way of life”
by C, Plymouth
Monday, July 19 2010, 12:08AM
“Good for the Cornish wanting to stay Cornish and not part of Devon, we are two seperate Counties, we wouldn't stand for it if 'they' decided to make Devon part of Somerset!”
by Dan, Plympton
Monday, July 19 2010, 12:08AM
“Cornwall is so financially dependant on Devon and the rest of the country - they would be hurting themselves more than anyone else,
Plus, most people in East Cornwall work in Plymouth. I bet they're pretty annoyed about this threat.
Please, please can the Herald try and get a photo of one of the protesters holding a pitch-fork. It would restore my faith in you.
Mick, Barbican - I read these threads mostly just to see what you have to say. Keep it up :)”
by Sue, Torpoint
Sunday, July 18 2010, 9:39PM
“Let's hope all the ferries are working properly, then - oops, I'm off into the land of make believe obviously!”
by Bob, Plymstock
Sunday, July 18 2010, 8:16PM
“C, you hit the nail on the head there. This isn't about saving money. It's about reducing the number of Labour constituencies. A classic Tory tactic. Will reducing the number of MPs really save that much money in the grand scheme of things? No. It will however silence the voice of many people who will lose their representation.”