Residents of Cornwall are demanding the government recognise the seaside county as the fifth nation of the UK.
A petition campaigning for Cornwall to have devolved powers and exist alongside England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland has ben backed by the council.
It has already received nearly 23,000 signatures and after gaining 53 votes in favour and 22 against, it passed a motion calling for recognised nation status.
The petition states: ‘We urge the UK Government to formally acknowledge Cornwall as a nation, granting it equal status to Wales and Scotland.
‘This includes devolved powers, cultural preservation, and official recognition of Cornwall’s distinct heritage, language, and historic autonomy.
‘Cornwall has a rich cultural and historical identity, distinct from the rest of England, with its own language, Kernewek, and heritage.
‘We think granting Cornwall nation status would preserve its culture, promote self-governance, and could empower its people to address local issues.’
The council has also been urging the Cornish to sign the petition.
Residents of Cornwall are demanding the government recognise the seaside county as the fifth nation of the UK. Pictured: Sennen Beach In Cornwall
A petition campaigning for Cornwall to have devolved powers and exist alongside England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland has ben backed by the council. Pictured: Lostwithiel Town, Cornwall
Speaking on social media, Leigh Frost, the Liberal Democrat council leader said: ‘This isn’t about independence, it never has been.
‘This is about making sure decisions for Cornwall happen in Cornwall. We are not just a bit of England at the end of the trainline, we are a strong, proud Celtic nation.’
However, the majority of councilors from Reform voted against the motion.
Rowland O’Connor, the Reform deputy leader on the council told The Times: ‘It feels like we are being asked to choose between being English and Cornish. In reality, most of us are very proud to be English and Cornish.’
Perran Moon, Labour MP for Cambourne and Redruth said: ‘We are not separatists, we want to play our part economically and culturally within the UK and we just don’t feel that voice is being heard.’
It comes as the council, Cornish Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs have been fighting plans for a combined mayoral authority with Devon to obtain more funding and higher levels of devolution.
The petition will close on Thursday after being open for six months. It will receive a formal response from the government because it has over 10,000 signatures – but it needs 100,000 for it to be considered for debate in parliament.
