A number of political parties in Cornwall have responded to the League's enquiry about whether their party supports the campaign for an annual public holiday on Saint Piran's Day on 5th March.

Of the political parties written to, only Mebyon Kernow –the Party for Cornwall and the Cornish Green Party said that they are already in favour of the initiative. The Conservative Party said they would discuss the matter at their next meeting and the Labour Party Chair of the Cornwall branch and Labour candidate, Nick Round, said that if elected, he would be in favour of a Cornwall wide public holiday on 5th March, but the Party did not have a position.

As yet the Liberal Democrats in Cornwall have not responded. Elections to Cornwall Council and the European Parliament will be held tomorrow (4th June 2009).

The responses from the political parties can be found below:

Mebyon Kernow – the Party for Cornwall

"Mebyon Kernow - the Party for Cornwall is the only political party in this election committed to greater self-government for Cornwall. We believe this to be the principal issue in Cornwall at the present time. We obviously support all moves for Saint Piran's Day to become a bank holiday."

Dick Cole www.mebyonkernow.org

Cornish Green Party

"As the Cornish Green Party we are in favour of your campaign to establish Saint Piran's Day as a local holiday in Cornwall. We feel that this is a valuable initiative to establish and strengthen Cornish identity and would like to see it extended beyond local Government to the wider community.

If elected I am sure that our Councillors will fully support such an initiative. Unfortunately our formal manifesto "A Fresh Start for Cornwall" was published at the beginning of the current campaign, and we did not receive your suggestion in time to include it - but please accept this letter as confirmation of our support. I am sure that it will be incorporated in future versions - although hopefully by the time of the next election we will have fully established 5th March as a Cornish holiday.

I will also make sure that this initiative is supported by our European campaign team - it is fully in line with our principles of supporting local culture and self-determination for people."

Roger Creagh-Osborne Green Party Candidate for Cornwall Council, St Germans Division.

rogerco [at] ...

07736 741268

One Cornwall, One Planet: www.cornishgreenparty.org.uk

The Labour Party

Your enquiry regarding the adoption of Saint Piran's Day as a public holiday has been passed to me as Chair of Cornwall Labour Party. It is not a matter on which we have, as a party, taken a position, so that what I can tell you refers only to my own view as an individual candidate (in Newlyn-Mousehole).

Yes, I would be in favour of this, and if elected will vote for any proposal for a county-wide public holiday on 5th March.

That is all that you wanted to know, I think.

With good wishes.

Yours sincerely,

NICK ROUND Chair, Cornwall Labour Party"

(voir le site)

Cornwall Conservatives

"I have spoken with the people who will deal with your issue, and they have said that your letter will be discussed at the next council group meeting. Unfortunately there are no more meetings now before polling day, but your issue will be discussed at the first group meeting after that.

I do hope that this helps, please do not hesitate to contact us should you require anything further.

Assuring you of our best interest at all times,

Warm Regards,

Claire Fulton Office Manager

Tel: 01726 891541

E-Mail: clairefulton [at] ... Web: www.cornwallconservatives.com

(Report prepared for Celtic News by Rhisiart Tal-e-bot)

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J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League

03/06/09