Change is required

I think my comments will support many of those made by others.

I think the lock down period has demonstrated to many that there are significant problems with the way we have come to live our lives. However it is unrealistic to think we could instantly stop many of the things that impact badly on Cornwall, such as:

As others have said - tourism causes a significant numbers of problems:

It creates jobs - but mainly low paid jobs and these are often summer only i.e. cheap part time labour with few career development opportunities.

A large number of second homes inflate local house prices and reduces the housing stock for local people,.

Tourism and second home ownership does not even provide all year round customers for local shops forcing many to close during the winter and/or charging higher prices for goods to make up for the lack of customers in the winter.

Tourism and second homers add greatly to the demand for increased public services (health, water, waste disposal, roads etc) for relatively short periods each year. These peaks are difficult and expensive to manage.

There undoubtedly many more issues that need to explored but this is enough for the moment.

So how can we improve things - I do not think there are instant solutions but we could make a start:

Stop the development of more camp sites, blocks of flats and other 'holiday let self catering' types of accommodation and encourage new owner managed bed and breakfast establishments. This would at least spread the tourism income more widely within the community, and just as importantly slow down the increase in tourist numbers as it would probably make holidays more expensive.

Develop sustainable business sectors making use of the natural advantages of Cornwall, such as boat building, marine engineering, fishing and fish processing, thermal energy development, solar, tide and wave power energy solutions. And don't forget farming, agriculture alonfg with the new ways of developing food production.

And for our communities:

Provide and maintain footpaths, cycle ways - including access to many of these for disabled or impaired walkers and cyclists.

Decentralising some services - more costly certainly but enormous increases community morale.

Develop/improve our education establishments and get world class research carried out in Cornwall to provide opportunities for local kids to develop and stay in Cornwall (assuming we can create the businesses that will employ them e.g in the areas suggested above).

Support the development of cultural opportunities - including or especially for young people. The Hall for Cornwall is fine but we need a venue for large events/concerts/etc too.

I could go on, and on and on - but that is enough for now.

I need a cup of tea!!!!