Cornwall continues to call for greater devolved powers
A motion has passed for the Duchy to be formally recognised as the fifth nation of the United Kingdom
Last updated 23rd Jul 2025
MPs and councillors are continuing to push for greater devolution in Cornwall.
It comes following calls for Cornwall to be formally recognised as the fifth nation of the United Kingdom, alongside England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
A motion has passed with calls for Cornwall to secure additional powers which reflect the Duchy’s unique culture, history and identity now that the Government’s English Devolution Bill has been published.
The Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill – to give the proposal its full title – was published last week. It reaffirms the position that, by virtue of agreeing a Level 2 Devolution Deal, Cornwall Council is classed as a Foundation Strategic Authority and is unable to acquire any further devolved powers than those already secured e.g. taking back control of adult education functions from central government.
The council gained a Level 3 deal with more powers in 2022 when a requirement to change the council’s governance to a Mayor-run authority proved unpopular with residents and many councillors.
The council will continue to fight against any threat of a Devonwall-style merger with neighbouring authorities.
A number of Cornwall’s MPs have spoken about the bill since its publication. Perran Moon, the Labour MP for Camborne, Redruth and Hayle, said: “I have had enough of talk about Cornwall joining a Mayoral Combined Authority with Devon or anywhere else to the east of the Tamar, for that matter. The currently proposed English Devolution Bill discriminates against the people of Cornwall, as a change in our governance structure directly conflicts with our National Minority Status.
“A Cornwall-only devolution deal is the right deal for Cornwall and I will be significantly increasing the profile of this issue in national media over the summer until we get the devolution deal that respects our unique status. If changes aren’t made to the English Devolution Bill or we cannot agree a Cornwall-only deal before we are asked to vote on the Bill, I WILL vote against it.”
Ben Maguire, the Lib Dem MP for North Cornwall, commented: “The Government have brought their English Devolution Bill to the House, which means that the fight for a fair deal for Cornwall in Parliament has officially begun. I really hope that all six of Cornwall’s MPs can come together moving forwards, cross-party, to get proper funding for our Duchy and a devolution agreement that reflects our unique culture, history and identity – not one that lumps us in with Devon.”