The question of devolution is one of the most important debates facing Cornwall today. It’s clear from a recent survey that I conducted earlier this month that there is overwhelming local support for a Cornwall-only devolution deal.

However, while many people back the principle of greater self-determination, a not-insignificant number of respondents expressed concerns about devolving further powers to a strategic authority at all. And it’s not hard to understand why. Too often, Cornwall Council’s financial mismanagement has led people to question whether our local institutions can be trusted with more responsibility.

Take, for instance, the council’s disastrous attempt to privatise Newquay Airport. The plan was deeply flawed from the outset. In reality, all this ill-conceived process achieved was wasting taxpayers' money on consultancy fees for a deal that was never viable. I repeatedly warned against this botched privatisation. Fortunately, the council finally saw sense and abandoned the plan, but only after needlessly draining public funds.

Then there’s the outsourcing of car park enforcement — another example of the council trying to patch up its finances by selling off some of our most lucrative public assets. This approach not only risks allowing the proceeds to flow upcountry or offshore, but also demonstrates an inability to invest in a business-savvy way. Thanks to the fantastic campaign led by Jessie Jacobs and Andrea Lanxon, some of our car parks have been saved from privatisation, but concerns remain about further outsourcing to private companies.

And let’s not forget the baffling saga of the Par Beach huts, which cost £125,000-plus and have lain empty for six years — prompting an ironic ‘birthday celebration’ by our new council candidate from Par, Renay Rickard. This situation is a perfect metaphor for the council’s poor financial planning. At the same time, they’ve been paying out record consultancy fees while frontline services and community investment suffer. Devolution should mean better, more accountable decision-making — not simply shifting inefficiency from Westminster to Cornwall.

We cannot allow past mistakes to derail the opportunity for a meaningful Cornish devolution settlement. That means both MPs and councillors of all stripes working together to secure the best deal for Cornwall and ensuring that local government is fit to take on new powers responsibly.

And our Labour government is committed to a devolution plan that improves local government accountability. They are creating stronger scrutiny mechanisms, such as reforming the local audit system and strengthening community-led oversight — the kind of scrutiny which we all know that, to date, Cornwall Council has sadly been all too immune to — which will ensure decision-makers are held to higher standards and residents see real benefits.

With elections in May, we have an opportunity for change. A new council administration must show that it can manage Cornwall’s finances properly and regain public trust. In devolution, done correctly, can empower both our communities and local businesses to thrive. I will continue to press the UK government to ensure that any settlement strengthens local decision-making, protects our autonomy and public wealth, and delivers real benefits for the people of Cornwall.