Despite no evidence to suggest that Westminster quaked at the news, an “historic” milestone in the pursuit of home rule for Cornwall was passed 40 years ago next month (Feb 2015), writes Mike Truscott.

A unilateral declaration of independence (UDI) was made by the Cornish Stannary Parliament in session at a St Austell hotel.

It was drawn up by Lord Protector of the Stannaries and Speaker of the Parliament, Brian Hambley - better known to many as a bus conductor.

Stannary Clerk Frederick Trull told the Packet: “This is a declaration of immediate intent. Representatives of the Government in Westminster will now have to get around the table with us.”

He said the Stannators would probably accept most of the Westminster laws “as common sense,” but rates and taxes should stay in Cornwall, with the Cornish Parliament deciding how much should be granted to the Imperial Exchequer.

He added: “It might seem feudal and funny, but I have been addressed officially by the Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, no less.”

Mr Wilson, he said, had promised to look into the Stannators' request that all Westminster legislation should be sent to Cornwall for perusal before becoming law.

Both Mr Wilson and the Department of the Environment had sent letters properly addressed to the Stannary, and this “amounts to official recognition.”

However, enquiries at the London end of things led Packet chief reporter Noel Wain to detect “a certain diplomatic slipperiness...as the Establishment closed ranks against the UDI rebels of Cornwall.”

A DoE spokesman told him: “If someone wrote to us calling himself the Lord of the Rings, he would get a reply addressed to the Lord of the Rings. I'm not sure it's a point of great significance.”