Council backs Cornish tick box on census
A petition calling for the chance to officially identify as Cornish still needs thousands to be recognised by the government
Last updated 18th May 2026
Cornwall Council is backing a bid to have a Cornish tick box on the next census.
A petition calling for the chance to officially identify as Cornish has been signed by thousands of people, but still needs thousands more to be recognised by the government.
A Cornwall Council spokesperson said: “We’re supporting calls for a Cornish tick box to be included on the next census.
“This will make it easier for people to record their national identity as Cornish. Take a moment to sign the petition to show your support.”
The petition, which closes on September 24, needs at least 10,00 signatures for a government response. It currently has almost 3,200. The next census will take place in 2031.
Started by Johnny Phillips, the petition states: “The government needs to be comfortable acknowledging a Cornish nation as the movement grows stronger. Adding a Cornish tick box would be a further acknowledgement of that movement and of our belief that Cornwall is the fifth nation of the UK.
“It would also allow for the Cornish minority to further distinguish themselves and further education on the Cornish identity, as education of what it is is still shockingly low in Cornwall. The tick box would allow for more people to know what they are.”
Cornwall Council leader Cllr Leigh Frost said: “Despite being formally recognised by the UK government as a national minority, the Cornish people are still not given their own tick box in the census national identity question. That needs to change.
“We are the UK’s fifth nation and we have our own distinct heritage, culture and identity. We deserve to be recognised on an equal footing.”
The census is a government survey of the entire population of the UK. Beyond counting the number of people, it collects detailed demographic data, such as age, employment and housing to help governments and local authorities plan and fund public services like schools, healthcare and transport.