Today marks the 70th anniversary of the foundation of Mebyon Kernow, a senior partner of the Wessex Regionalists in our struggle against the government’s artificial South West region. MK was founded on 6th January 1951, initially as a pressure group, their inaugural meeting taking place at the Oates Temperance Hotel in Redruth. Early members includedContinueContinue reading “Happy Birthday, Mebyon Kernow”
Category Archives: Devolution
The Union of the Snake
Alexander DePfeffel Johnson is in trouble with the Scots again, following his controversial claim that devolution in Scotland has been “a disaster”, a claim he has since tried to walk back into purely a criticism of the SNP. Politicians in Holyrood recalled his 2012 claim, made while mayor of London, that “A pound spent in CroydonContinueContinue reading “The Union of the Snake”
Wessex Political Thinkers: Alexander Thynn
I had long intended to write a post on the founder of our party as part of the Wessex Political Thinkers series. The sad news of his recent death makes a reflection upon his contribution to Wessex Regionalist thought even more timely. Alexander Thynn–then Viscount Weymouth, later Marquess of Bath–first became interested in formulating aContinueContinue reading “Wessex Political Thinkers: Alexander Thynn”
Isolation and Community (part 1)
A crisis such as the present COVID-19 pandemic demands a response from us. Readers of this blog will be curious to know what a Wessex regional parliament, with the Wessex Regionalists as the dominant party, would have done differently in this situation. Such a question is almost impossible to answer, as hindsight is always 20/20,ContinueContinue reading “Isolation and Community (part 1)”
An England of the Regions (wonkish)
We have recently posted a couple of times about our vision of a Europe of the Regions. But what might that mean for England? The Wessex Regionalists are concerned with Wessex, and have no official position on how the rest of England should be organised. That doesn’t stop us speculating on some possible scenarios, though.ContinueContinue reading “An England of the Regions (wonkish)”
The Ties that Bind
The city regions of Wessex and South Wales have recently come together to draw up plans for a Great Western Powerhouse stretching from Swindon in the east to Swansea in the west; Tewkesbury in the north to Weston-Super-Mare in the south. The cities of Bristol, Newport and Cardiff have commissioned a report from consultancy firmContinueContinue reading “The Ties that Bind”
Thou Shalt Not
Thursday last week saw a plethora of different elections across the UK and among these polls was a referendum in St Ives. Local folk voted by 83% to 17% in favour of a policy to ban the building of new second homes. Faced with a housing market described as ‘financial cleansing’ of the locals, that’sContinueContinue reading “Thou Shalt Not”
Wessexit
Of all the reasons for remaining in the EU the most compelling arises from quietly contemplating the alternative. Being marooned on a small island run by Gove, Johnson and IDS is a chilling prospect. It also smacks of betrayal of those elsewhere working for a better Europe. The Danes in particular fear isolation without theirContinueContinue reading “Wessexit”
Devo Min
There are quite a few bright spots for Wessex folk to cheer about in today’s budget – and not just a freeze on cider duty – but look beyond the headlines. It’s good to see money for children’s A&E in Southampton, but isn’t the rest of the NHS on life support? A “more resilient trainContinueContinue reading “Devo Min”
Exceeding Expectations
We’ve always enjoyed watching Mebyon Kernow’s progress and learning from what they get right, or very occasionally wrong. Our association dates back to the 70s, when the founding generation of MK members was still at the helm. It was the era of grainy, photocopied leaflets and duplicated magazines, produced in a political climate that isContinueContinue reading “Exceeding Expectations”
Wessex Regionalists 