Rebels of 1497 opposed tax to fight the Scots

THE tension between Cornwall and London can be traced back more than 500 years, to the time 15,000 Cornish rebels marched on the city and fought the English army.

The An Gof rebellion of 1497 was in protest at an English tax levied to raise money for a war in Scotland. It led to the drawing and quartering of two Cornish leaders, Michael Joseph An Gof and Thomas Flamank, and the death in battle of 2,000 rebels.

Centuries later, there is a new effort to recognise the region as an autonomous part of the UK.

Mebyon Kernow, which translates as Sons of Cornwall, was founded in 1951, and the campaign for a fully devolved Cornish assembly was spurred by devolution in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. In November 2000, the Cornish Constitutional Convention, a cross-party organisation including representatives from the private, public and voluntary sectors, was formed.

Ten years ago, a declaration calling for a fully devolved assembly was signed by more than 50,000 people and presented to then prime minister Tony Blair.

Dick Cole, leader of Mebyon Kernow, accused successive Labour governments of “ignoring” the cause and claims the current coalition is doing the same.