Cornish party Mebyon Kernow not contesting General Election

The Cornish flag being waved on St Piran's day. Credit: PA

The Cornish party Mebyon Kernow has announced it will not put forward any candidates for the General Election, after Theresa May's call for a snap election meant "no preparations" were in place.

In a statement the party criticised the "shameful" misleading of the public which led to Mebron Kernow focusing all their efforts on the local elections.

"The timing of this snap election, so close to the local polls, makes it impractical for a party with our level of resources to put together and finance a meaningful campaign for the General Election."

Last week, leader Dick Cole, was among four Mebyon Kernow candidates to be re-elected to Cornwall Council. At the last General Election, the party lost deposits on all six seats.

  • What is Mebyon Kernow?

Mebyon Kernow is described as a left-of-centre political party in Cornwall

It's main policy focuses on creating a National Assembly for Cornwall, and argues for the same rights to devolution as England, Scotland and Wales.

The party also wants to maintain the county's own distinct identity, language and heritage.