JUST weeks after the new Prime Minister was greeted on a last minute visit to Cornwall by a box of Barnecutt’s pasties by Cornwall Council’s leader, the Duchy was given a mention in Parliament.

Andy Burnham, who took over the leadership of the Labour party and the government after the resignation of Sir Keir Starmer came down to the Duchy to visit some farming businesses when at a meeting with Cllr Leigh Frost, the leader of Cornwall Council, the subject of devolution came up.

Cllr Frost took the opportunity of having the Prime Minister’s ear to explain to the former mayor of Manchester the unique situation Cornwall found itself in - it wished for the extra powers but was being overlooked because of its unique circumstances.

These included the previous government’s preference on only devolving extra powers to mayoral authorities or large combined authorities comprising of several councils, a system that had been previously rejected in the Duchy amid concerns it might have to form a combined authority with councils in Devon.

Previous proposals for a ‘cross-Tamar’ authority had been met with fierce resistance amid concern that it does not respect Cornwall’s unique history and status within the United Kingdom.

In the address to Parliament, Mr Burnham stated that he had instructed his ‘Number 10 North’ office, based in Manchester to work directly with Cornwall Council on agreeing its own devolution deal without the requirement for a mayor.

Cllr Frost said after the announcement by the Prime Minister: “The prime minister must’ve really enjoyed those pasties! It’s great to see the recognition and commitment from government, we’ve got a lot of work to do to nail down the detail but the fact that Cornwall has been protected from a combined authority and a mayor is a big win. From my point of view we now need to get on with it.”

The Cornwall Council leader also praised the efforts of Cornwall’s six MPs - comprising of two Liberal Democrats and four Labour parliamentarians - in working together to assist the Duchy to get to the point of potentially achieving a devolution deal without a mayor in addition to various peers in the House of Lords and fellow Cornwall Council members.

He added: “Cornwall is unique, and has consistently argued its case in devolution. By speaking with one voice we have achieved what people said we couldn’t, working together across Cornwall has won us this day.

“Our six MPs, peers and the Council chamber have worked tirelessly. Thank you to all of you and everyone else that has worked to ensure Cornwall’s place in the UK remains intact.“

Anna Gelderd, the MP for South East Cornwall also reacted with delight, saying: “It’s fantastic that Cornwall has been put front and centre in Andy’s first statement to Parliament as Prime Minister. For an area that has too often felt forgotten by Westminster, this is a clear signal that Cornwall matters and that our communities, industries, and ambitions are being taken seriously.”