A failure to acknowledge Cornish ethnicity in the next census may lead to a campaign of civil disobedience the Cornish branch of the Celtic League has warned (see below):
"The Manager Customer Contact Centre Room 1.015 Office for National Statistics Cardiff Road Newport NP10 8XG
1st November, 2007
Dear Sir
2011 NATIONAL CENSUS - DEMAND FOR A CORNISH TICKBOX
You may be aware that there have been growing demands for a specific Cornish tickbox to be included in the 2011 census to afford the Cornish people parity with the other national minorities and ethnicities and their Celtic brethren, the Welsh, Scottish, Irish and Manx.
Cornish people have attended every ONS workshop to this end and the Director of Census attended a special session held in Truro, Kernow which was extremely well attended.
At the International Annual General Meeting of the Celtic League, the following resolution was accepted:
'That the Annual General Meeting of the Celtic League in Cardiff on 29th September, 2007, calls upon the Westminster Government and the Office for National Statistics to include a specific Cornish tick box in the Census planned for 2011 so giving the Cornish people parity with the other Celtic Nations and National Minorities of Great Britain.'
Many Cornish organisations have passed similar resolutions and along with our membership will seriously consider refusing to complete the 2011 Census forms unless there is such a tickbox and despite the legal consequences. We so hope that you will recognise the strength of feeling and help us to comply with your requirements made upon us.
Yours faithfully
Michael J.T. Chappell An Kesunyans Keltek - Scoren Kernewek (The Cornish Branch of the Celtic League)"
See also Celtic News items at:
J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League
01/11/07
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