I'm definitely not a petition signer. I don't think I've ever done so, although maybe in the idealism of my youth, who knows? I don't like following the crowd.
The government's petitions site has this:
Grant Cornwall nation status
We urge the UK Government to formally recognize Cornwall as a nation, granting it equal status to Wales and Scotland. This includes devolved powers, cultural preservation, and official recognition of Cornwall’s distinct heritage, language, and historic autonomy.
Cornwall has a rich cultural and historical identity, distinct from the rest of England, with its own language, Kernewek, and heritage. Despite being part of the UK, Cornwall's history as a Duchy reflects its unique status. We think granting Cornwall nation status would preserve its culture, promote self-governance, and could empower its people to address local issues.
No mention of flags or rugby.
When I checked this on my phone yesterday, over breakfast, there were 22,986 signatures, now 23,182.
Note: does "signatures" mean signatories? Could this be my next door neighbour voting 23,182 times? If I click on "Sign this petition" to find out, will I have voted?
I did it. There's a form. You have to be a British citizen or UK resident and enter your postcode and email address. Doesn't seem foolproof but then maybe only fools would do it. I didn't continue.
Because the petition has more than 10,000 signatures, the government has to give a written response. The site says "Waiting for 44 days for a government response". Don't hold your breath.
If it gets to 100,000 signatures (unlikely as there are only two days to go), the "petition will be considered for debate in Parliament".
The petition was supported by Cornwall council, run by a LibDem-led coalition, by 53 votes to 22, as part of a fight to prevent a combined mayoral authority with Devon. Such an authority would access higher levels of devolution and funding, so I'm not clear what's bad about that.
Obviously this is all nonsense. Anything which keeps government on its toes is to be welcomed but this petition wouldn't do that, even if it succeeded in getting to 100,000 signatures. If it does happen, I want to be King. You get to hobnob with other monarchs and pseudo-monarchs, impose tariffs on Prime Minister Farage's England, live in a palace, get a free gardener, start a war, stop a war, get a Nobel Peace Prize. What's not to like?
Most petitions are a waste of time - but I have instigated two. One about Road safety measures on Hill reach which succeeded in getting crossing places and refuges - although not cameras as TfL said there weren’t enough deaths. Only nine in eight years instead of the ten needed. And another to Greenwich Council about their ridiculous plan to slaughter the animals in the local park to save money. We won that one with 2000 signatures and a big demo and a big meeting. And one to the Government about asbestos after my cousin Ann died of mesothelioma. The legislation is slow to be enacted but is there.
ReplyDeleteSo - sometimes it’s worth organising and signing. My father used to say ‘Don’t get angry, get active’. But I suppose you have to be angry first.