Karen La Borde (Green)

Truro City Council: Malabar

Cornwall Council: Gloweth, Malabar and Shortlanesend

Kenwyn Parish Council: Threemilestone

THIS week, I took my allocated seat in Cornwall’s council chamber for the first time as an elected councillor. I have number 33 in the centre of the semicircle with a sweeping view of the major players.

To the left and behind me huddle Conservatives, Labour and Mebyon Kernow, while Lib Dems and Independents sit confidently at the front, closest to their leaders and cabinet. Reform UK have been allocated the far right of the chamber - physically separated from the rest of us by empty seats which I presume are to represent our political differences.

Now let’s not forget, Reform UK councillors represent nearly one quarter of those who voted in the May elections in Cornwall. And while they appear a shy and quiet bunch, their crisp new suits represent a fresh challenge.

I anticipate lively questioning of the new cabinet and leader. And while Reform are giving the old guard a good shake up, they will be learning too. Asking questions and getting to know the ropes, they may even begin to challenge their own leader on some of his more outlandish assertions. Watch this space!

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators have the greatest impact. Leaning over the public gallery railings, they shout at silenced, staring councillors. They ask us for compassion - to show concern for the plight of the Palestinians by withdrawing the council’s pension fund investments from companies supporting what they see as genocide in Palestine. A stern council chair suspends the meeting, and demonstrators are bundled down the back stairs by security officers.

The meeting begins again with public questions. The leader of the council is asked if Cornwall Council will “Take Action for Palestine” and divest. He responds saying the council must act in the best interest of its pensioners by ensuring a good return on its pension fund, adding that the council invests in line with the UN Global Compact which promotes responsible investment (but does not prevent investment in Israel or weapon manufacture).

Surely Cornwall Council pensioners do not want to benefit from the deaths of innocent children shot while waiting in line to collect water. It’s a simple and low-risk act for Cornwall Council to call on their pension funds to divest the small amounts in its pension fund to show it has compassion. If North Somerset, Bristol, Oxford and Manchester can do it, so can Cornwall.