Plenty of work still to be done. Almost everything, to be more precise. But there is some hope, even if only because they are “fortunate to be able to paint their regional discontents in the attractive colours of Celtic tradition, which makes them so much more viable”, as Eric Hobsbawm wrote. Indomitable Cornish nationalists are seeking to get an elected assembly and devolved powers from Westminster. They have been trying since 2001, when the Cornish Constitutional Convention gathered some 50,000 signatures (i.e. 10% of Cornish residents) calling for a Cornish assembly. In 2009, LibDem MP Dan Rogerson introduced a bill aimed at giving Cornwall a level of self-government similar to that of Wales. No success again. Continue reading →