Mebyon Kernow leader Dick Cole on council elections

That is the key message from Mebyon Kernow (MK) leader Dick Cole as he bids to lead a larger group of councillors into County Hall after the elections on May 6.

As the longest-serving political party leader in the UK Mr Cole is well seasoned in Cornish politics, when we meet at Indian Queens Recreation Ground in the heart of his division he admits that it has been a hectic time in the run-up to polling day.

Mr Cole has been a councillor for more than 20 years and, for the past four years at County Hall, has been leading a party of four councillors.

In next week’s election MK will be fielding 19 candidates across Cornwall hoping to bolster their team in the council chamber.

Mr Cole highlights that many of the candidates already have experience of serving on parish and town councils but there are also six candidates who have never stood for election before.

“It is really pleasing to have new members standing for us. We have six first time candidates for unitary who have never stood for MK at any level.

“One thing that shows our commitment to public services – of the six new candidates four work somewhere in the health service, in support services, delivery and one if a paramedic.

“I think that reflects well on the values that we have at MK.”

Mr Cole said he is hopeful that the party’s four current Cornwall councillors will retain their seats and is also hoping that there could be some more joining them.

He said MK was working hard to make sure that voters know about its candidates ahead of polling day.

This was especially important at this election as boundary changes mean there will be fewer councillors – the total is going from 123 to 87 – and, therefore, the areas councillors will have to cover are much larger.

If re-elected, in Mr Cole’s new ward – which now covers St Dennis and St Enoder – he could find himself representing 5,800 people compared to 3,700 last time out.

The MK leader said he is already putting in 40 hours a week as a Cornwall councillor and candidates in this election know that the job is about to get harder.

He said: “It is the same job but you have a massive increase in size in terms of the area you represent and another 2,000 people on top. It is all a very sad fracturing of local democracy in Cornwall.”

As one of the smaller groups at County Hall MK has to fight hard to get its voice heard but Mr Cole says that his councillors ensure that they have an influence.

“I think we are really proud about how much we punch above our weight,” he explains “As well as supporting our local communities we are also challenging things like bad planning applications and getting policies written.

“We are not afraid to call people out when it is necessary. But we are not in the game for playing politics for the sake of it. We want to make sure that we are doing what is best for Cornwall and the people.

Cornwall Council has always had a good number of independent councillors and it is this which sets the local elections apart from Parliamentary elections.

Mr Cole says that when people vote locally they are looking at the candidates and want to know who will stand up for them.

He said that he hopes that the tradition of good independent councillors will continue at County Hall.

“It is healthy to have a council that is as diverse as it can be with a range of political opinions, but it is also important that the council works together on issues which affect Cornwall.”

This is one of the key issues for Mr Cole and his colleagues at MK and something which he hopes will happen more.

The council has previously been united in declaring a climate emergency and supporting work to tackle climate change. But for Mr Cole this approach should be taken in other areas.

“Cornwall Council is facing a lot of big pressures and we want councillors there to stand together to get the best deal from the Government that we really need to achieve – that is to get more core funding, more powers to make decisions for Cornwall in Cornwall and help to get away from this perception that we are told what to do by Westminster.”

Mr Cole said that the council should be challenging the Government more on issues which affect Cornwall – highlighting the proposed changes to planning which could have seen a big increase in the housing targets imposed on Cornwall.

“They say that we have to work with the Government but we should only do that on stuff that works for Cornwall and not what works elsewhere.

“It is difficult when you have some groups demanding that and others criticising the council for challenging central government when defending their own ministers. It gets party political rather than being about what is best for Cornwall.

“We are not there to play politics, we are serious about winning that best deal for Cornwall. We have been fighting for fair funding for Cornwall for decades, however difficult it can be and however much the government is failing to grasp what Cornwall needs.

“It is what we are elected to do – to get the best for Cornwall. We have to put Cornwall before party political interests.

“We are a political party but with a difference as we are based in Cornwall and we are about winning for Cornwall and there are no other demands that will override that.”

With the G7 Summit coming to Cornwall in June world leaders will get to see Cornwall, although Mr Cole fears they will not learn about the real issues facing the Duchy.

“I fear it will be a lot of arty shots of world leaders wandering around on beaches. I would rather they come away from that and meet some people who are struggling to get by in the heart of clay country.”

I ask whether it should be Indian Queens Victory Hall which should host the G7 instead of the Carbis Bay Hotel to which Mr Cole replies: “Why not? I can’t think of anywhere better.”

As our discussion draws to a close I notice Mr Cole glancing around the recreation ground and as he does so a warm smile spreads across his face.

“This is what it’s all about,” he says as he explains how, during his time as a councillor, he has helped secure funding for a youth club, pre-school and play and skate equipment.

“Getting things like this done which help the local people and the community that you serve. That is why we do this.”