The unsuccessful pro-Cornwall amendment was tabled by Lord Robin Teverson, who managed to persuade only ten of his Lib Dem colleagues to back him. Plus 177 Labour peers, 27 crossbenchers, four "others", a Conservative and a bishop. The only way for pro-Cornwall MPs to keep the issue alive now is to oppose the Bill when it returns to the Commons - and kiss goodbye to a referendum on changing the voting system. 63 Lib Dem Lords and 153 Conservatives voted against Cornwall. I think you can hear an interview with Robin Teverson on BBC Radio Cornwall tomorrow morning.
Wednesday, 9 February 2011
Cornwall finally loses its political boundary
I hope to have an interview with Lord Teverson on BBC Radio Cornwall tomorrow morning.
PA has just filed this:
An attempt to prevent any parliamentary constituencies straddling Cornwall and
Devon failed in the House of Lords tonight.
Peers voted by 250 to 221, Government majority 29, to back the position of
ministers that Cornwall should not be exempted from provisions aimed at
equalising the size of constituencies.
The Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill, which also sets up a
referendum on changing the voting system in Westminster elections, is likely to
result in a constituency split between Cornwall and Devon.
The issue has caused controversy in the South West, amid prominent campaigns
aimed at preventing constituencies crossing the River Tamar which divides the
two counties.
Liberal Democrat ex-MEP for Cornwall Lord Teverson introduced an amendment
which would prevent the county and the Isle of Scilly being linked to any other
parts of the UK.
He said: "We have a situation where Cornwall is seen not just by Cornish
people themselves, but by the people that move into Cornwall as well, as the
fourth Celtic nation of the United Kingdom.
"It has a Celtic language, Celtic place names and family names. It has
therefore a tradition and it was not a part of Anglo-Saxon England.
"It is this area of culture, history, geography which makes Cornwall and the
Isles of Scilly a very important exception that should be recognised in this
Bill."
The legislation as originally introduced prevents all but two constituencies
varying by more than 5% from the average size of around 76,000 voters, although
peers tonight defeated the Government to allow the discretion to reach 7.5% in
"exceptional circumstances".
PA has just filed this:
An attempt to prevent any parliamentary constituencies straddling Cornwall and
Devon failed in the House of Lords tonight.
Peers voted by 250 to 221, Government majority 29, to back the position of
ministers that Cornwall should not be exempted from provisions aimed at
equalising the size of constituencies.
The Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill, which also sets up a
referendum on changing the voting system in Westminster elections, is likely to
result in a constituency split between Cornwall and Devon.
The issue has caused controversy in the South West, amid prominent campaigns
aimed at preventing constituencies crossing the River Tamar which divides the
two counties.
Liberal Democrat ex-MEP for Cornwall Lord Teverson introduced an amendment
which would prevent the county and the Isle of Scilly being linked to any other
parts of the UK.
He said: "We have a situation where Cornwall is seen not just by Cornish
people themselves, but by the people that move into Cornwall as well, as the
fourth Celtic nation of the United Kingdom.
"It has a Celtic language, Celtic place names and family names. It has
therefore a tradition and it was not a part of Anglo-Saxon England.
"It is this area of culture, history, geography which makes Cornwall and the
Isles of Scilly a very important exception that should be recognised in this
Bill."
The legislation as originally introduced prevents all but two constituencies
varying by more than 5% from the average size of around 76,000 voters, although
peers tonight defeated the Government to allow the discretion to reach 7.5% in
"exceptional circumstances".
Tuesday, 8 February 2011
From bailiff fees to window cleaners - it's all here
In October and November alone, Cornwall Council spent more than £26,500 on bailiff fees in pursuit of unpaid local taxes. November's window cleaning bill was £587.50. The same month's bill for bed and breakfast (ie failure to provide housing) more than £73,600 The council spends several thousand pounds a month on "adult books" - but I'm sure it's not what you think. Just to be sure, I have asked...
STOP PRESS: Council confirms it buys "Adult Books" for libraries as opposed to "Children's Books."
STOP PRESS: Council confirms it buys "Adult Books" for libraries as opposed to "Children's Books."
A little bit of transparency goes a long way (and back, with chauffeur)
Huge thanks to the Cornwall Council staffer who told me how to fathom the on-line "transparency" spending details. I am suddenly like a child in a sweet shop, not knowing where to look next.
For instance, it might not be news that taxpayers foot the bill for council chairman Pat Harvey's taxis - but I didn't know that in only the two months published so far, she'd clocked up £3,071.45 of motoring with Select Travel Services. The on-line details don't tell us what sort of vehicle Pat travels in, but it's good to know that she's in safe hands. Select Travel is "The only chauffeur company in the World to offer Marilyn Monroe's 1956 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud."
For instance, it might not be news that taxpayers foot the bill for council chairman Pat Harvey's taxis - but I didn't know that in only the two months published so far, she'd clocked up £3,071.45 of motoring with Select Travel Services. The on-line details don't tell us what sort of vehicle Pat travels in, but it's good to know that she's in safe hands. Select Travel is "The only chauffeur company in the World to offer Marilyn Monroe's 1956 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud."
Another defeat for government over Devonwall Bill
The House of Lords inflicted anther blow to the government last night, when Jeff Rooker's amendment requiring a minimum 40% turn-out in the AV referendum was carried by just one vote. Pressure on ministers to grant concessions is mounting. Next week's deadline for Royal Assent is starting to look very close.
Monday, 7 February 2011
Most council chiefs told Pickles "hands off my salary"
Cornwall Council boss Kevin Lavery took some flak recently for taking only a 5% cut in his £200,000 + perks salary - Communities and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles had asked for 10%. But according to a survey by the Local Government Chronicle, Kevin is one of the good guys: three quarters of council chief executives ignored Pickles completely.
Blog Kernow
Anyone know what's happened to this useful aggregator of Cornwall's political blogs? It used to be at blogkernow.com but now all I get is "server not found."
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