Plymouth City Council believes it can dictate to Cornwall, that we must be swallowed up into a Southwest ‘super region’ with a directly elected mayor.

Of course, Plymouth has as much right to tell Cornwall how it should be governed as Cornwall has to dictate to Plymouth, or indeed anywhere else over the border in England.

To suggest – as the government does - that if Cornwall wants devolved power, it must establish partnerships with neighbours, would have been like telling Wales it could only have an devolved Assembly if it partners with the west Midlands.

Devolution is about letting go of power, not holding on, to micro-manage.

Cornwall’s six MPs are united; determined to secure devolution on a Cornwall-only footprint.

We wish Plymouth, and authorities to the east, well in their negotiations and partnerships. I note there’s a desire to establish a “South West Peninsula Mayoral Strategic Authority”. Cornwall won’t be part of it. Though we’d of course be pleased to work with them, just as we would with any other new devolved authorities in other parts of England.

Over the years, Cornwall acquiesced to various service partnerships (such as police) for administrative convenience. But this process could crucially undermine Cornwall’s right to remain distinctive, to reflect our distinct cultural, historic and Celtic identity, just as in Wales and Scotland. Cornwall must now assert its right to self-determination.

All MPs, Cornwall Council and many town and parish councils are resolved.

There is no higher priority than to stop the scandal of child abuse in any form. To do that we need action now. Not another lengthy Inquiry.

I’ve been asked why I didn’t back a Tory motion last week on child protection. The answer is simple. If the Tories succeeded it would have stopped important legislation to improve protection for children, including legislation to close legal loopholes which resulted in the appalling murder of Sara Sharif.

The Tory motion was the worst political gameplaying; a shameful attempt to distract attention, that they failed to implement any of the 20 recommendations from the seven-year long inquiry into child sexual abuse by Professor Alexis Jay.

Alexis Jay says having yet another Inquiry is the very last thing victims of abuse need. Victims also made clear they want action, not yet more inquiries!

The priority for government is to quickly implement the Jay recommendations. Including to establish a dedicated Child Protection Authority, strengthen the criminal justice response to these cases, appoint a new Minister for Children and massively improve the level of both investigation and speedy prosecution of current and new cases.

This scandal is not only found in communities already highlighted, but in too many other walks of life, as recent scandals in sport, Church of England, Catholic Church and other institutions have exposed.

MPs must keep up the pressure. Make sure the government takes the action urgently needed to make our communities safe for our children.

Andrew George

Liberal Democrat MP for St Ives