inclusivity

This lockdown period has, for me, focused attention on how divided we have become as a society. It’s been very good to hear that people have felt a stronger sense of community during this pandemic but I fear that unless we take this opportunity to change we will drift swiftly back to a ‘normal’ that was clearly not working for everyone. The Cornwall that I would love to be a part of in the future would be a place that decides not just to thank those key workers for their incredibly selfless efforts during this difficult period, but to make a real change and give those people the status and wage that they deserve. This would obviously require sacrifices from the majority of us who have reaped the benefits from their efforts but would hopefully lead to a more equal and inclusive society in the future.

Cornwall’s economy has become so heavily dependant on tourism that it’s extremely disheartening to see how the recent, disgraceful, images we have all witnessed of piles of rubbish on Britain’s beaches are evidence of how leisure and tourism is now perceived as an entitlement by those who can afford it with little regard or respect for those who are the guardians of such places. I hope that we will all want to continue to share the unrivalled beauty of Cornwall with our fellow human beings and always provide a warm welcome to everyone but this must come at a cost and my question is who should pay the price? and could we examine the possibilities of finding a better balance between tourism and local industry?

In Cornwall in particular, an extremely archaic model of capitalism is apparent in the tourist industry whereby those who don't live here full time to generate the wealth and contribute to local provisions and services are encouraged to use our landscape as a playground and our people as their servants. The Cornwall 'brand' has made it, in part, an extremely exclusive destination for more wealthy people, many having their second home here. This is an outdated Victorian model that surely belongs in the past. Cornwall has become far too reliant on these people and we have all bought into the idea that we are beholden to them for the income they bring. These people may well employ a local gardener to cut their grass but that gardener could be employed by a care home worker who's too busy to cut their own lawn but is properly paid in order to employ them.

I propose some sort of Tourism Tax, paid by visitors and second home owners, that would allow them to make a direct and greater contribution to local council services including a proper wage for those key workers that have proved how essential they are to our future.

The isolation, it's unique natural resources, a relatively small population and the initiative of it’s people should allow Cornwall to take a far more radical and independent stance to it's own economy. I hope also, that it might engender a new cultural attitude towards tourism and leisure, for all of humanity, not merely as some sort of hedonistic right to pleasure but as a luxury and a privilege that many other people have to work extremely hard to provide.