POLSON Bridge was awash with protestors last Sunday over the proposed ‘Devonwall’ constituency boundary changes.

Earlier this year the Boundary Commission for England (BCE) announced plans for a cross-border constituency involving Bude, Launceston, Camelford and Bideford and all of the villages and hamlets in between as part of plans to equalise the size of the constituencies and reduce the number of MPs from 650 to 600.

On Sunday, hundreds of people gathered at Polson Bridge, which separates Cornwall And Devon by the River Tamar to protest.

Chants, speeches and pro-Cornish songs were all part of the day as councillors, former MPs and the Grand Bard of the Gorsedh Kernow cultural movement, Merv Davey, all took it in turn to deliver powerful and passionate speeches as to why Cornwall should remain in its own constituency.

As well as prominent local figures, there was a strong turnout from members of the public, with even a bus from Redruth bringing along 22 people.

Esther Johns, from the Lizard, who organised the protest, was adamant that the proposed changes quite simply cannot happen.

She said: “Nearly everyone I have spoken to are completely against the plans. “When I told my 80-year-old mother (Rosa Thomas) about this she was that angry about it she threatened to go and tie herself to the Tamar Bridge. But seriously, she said that this isn’t on so we looked into the idea of organising a protest and it’s gone on from there.

“Today is about creating a visual show to show that people in Cornwall aren’t going to accept this and want to keep Cornwall within its own borders.

“Lots of people have come to this including local councillors which is great although I don’t see too many Conservatives here.

“But we need to make a stand and show people that this cannot happen and I am delighted with the turnout today and hope that we have at least made people sit up and take notice of what could happen.”

Starting at 11am, the protestors chanted for a number of minutes before the mayor of Launceston, Brian Hogan, took to the microphone to tell of the importance of not crossing constituency borders.

Cllr Hogan said: “The Tamar has been our border for over 1,000 years and with Cornwall being given national minority status in 2014 this seems to be a bit of a U-turn. For thousands of years people have protected their borders and I urge you to do that now.

“Times are difficult enough as they are without people having to start dealing with different councils and governing bodies if this was to go through so we need to stand together and fight for Cornwall.”

As the morning went on, former North Cornwall MP and Liberal Democrat, Dan Rogerson, spoke of the importance of realising that Devon does not want this either and criticised MPs for their failure to stand up to the government and tell them that this cannot happen.

Former minister of state for care and support in the department for health, and current MP for North Norfolk, Norman Lamb, was also on hand to lend his support.

He first addressed the protestors by shouting: “I am here to show solidarity from Norfolk. It’s clearly a seat designed in London,” before declaring: “We shall vote against it, communities together.”

He told the Post: “I was in Barnstaple yesterday when they told me about this planned protest and asked whether I could come along. I of course was more than happy to do so. This morning I met with local Liberal Democrats and I can completely understand theirs and the public’s anger to these proposals.

“There are a lot of similarities between here and Norfolk and it’s been an amazing experience so far here. I believe that constituencies must reflect heritage, culture and communities, and it’s obvious to me that this should not happen. We will do all we can to help Cornwall in this matter.”

Once Mr Lamb had finished addressing the masses, Matthi Clarke sang a couple of classic Cornish songs – Cornish Skies and Cornwall My Home.

There was a healthy contingent from West Cornwall; independent councillor, Mike Chappell from Redruth, drove the minibus from Redruth carrying 22 protestors up to Polson.

He was damning in his criticism of the Boundary Commission.

He said: “I think the Boundary Commission is just one of a number of organisations who are really out of touch with Cornish sentiment and love of their land.”

He alleged: “This is a 1,000-year-old border and it’s not for gerrymandering. However it’s great that so many people have turned up although it’s a shame that none of the Cornwall MPs have turned up.”

As the afternoon progressed a number of speakers including Gill Brown from the North Cornwall Labour Party, Cornwall Council Indepdenent member, Bert Biscoe and Grand Bard, Merv Davey spoke.

Mr Davey stressed the importance of respecting the boundary.

He said: “The Cornish boundary goes back further than any other in the UK. It’s about keeping Cornwall whole. This is also a constitutional case. On the Cornish side we come under the Duchy of Cornwall, but on the other side we come under the Queen.”

The protestors are determined to garner as much support as possible ahead of a public consultation in the Council Chamber at New County Hall in Truro.

To find out how to write to your MP, visit www.writetothem.com or write to the Boundary Commission at www.bce2018.org.uk.