Sam Pellow thinks a devolved Cornish parliament would have a host of positive effects - and stabilise the housing market enough for him to stop living with his parents.

       The 26-year-old has lived in the coastal village of Carbis Bay, near St Ives, all his life and has seen firsthand the effects of overtourism on the county’s property market, job prospects and sense of community.

       But he also has a sense of local identity that goes beyond the practicalities of finding somewhere close by to put down roots.

       The sentiment of, as he puts it, being “Cornish, not English” is not one he’s not alone in. In the 2021 census, 99,754 people said they identified as “Cornish”, up from 53,000 in 2011.

       The calls for a devolved parliament in the fashion of the Welsh Senedd or Scottish Holyrood have grown alongside frustration with Westminster - but, more than a reactionary trend, the dissatisfaction is rooted in years of neglect and misunderstanding, Sam says.

       “We were given national minority status in 2014, which rightfully recognised Cornwall’s very distinct culture and history - and we have our own problems, requiring specific solutions as a result,” he told Express.co.uk.

       “More devolved power would mean more investment and a proper tackling of the second homes crisis, which I don’t think people up in London really understand.”

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       Sam has worked as a lifeguard for the RNLI, watching over swimming holidaymakers, and done-up rental cottages that sit empty for half of the year. It’s a frustrating position for someone who has pride in where he’s from and wants to get his foot on the housing ladder.

       “I work full-time and I’m saving, but I still can’t find anywhere to live. It’s London rental prices on Cornish wages.”

       The Labour Government’s devolution white paper, published in December, proposed creating new combined authorities - potentially merging Cornwall with Devon to form a devolved southwest parliament.

       The idea was roundly rejected by Cornwall Council in January, with members from across the political divide united in the resolve to only accept a fully Cornish deal.

       As well as focusing on the county’s unique challenges - it is the UK’s second home capital after all - proponents of a Cornish assembly also point to its population's descent from Celts rather than Anglo Saxons.

       “We have our own language, which is protected, and so much history and culture,” Ben Maguire, Liberal Democrat MP for North Cornwall says.

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       “The government is offering financial incentives to have this combined authority but we’ve said - myself and other MPs - that we’d rather stick it out for a long-term model of governance that’s based in Cornwall.

       “We’re talking about something that could last for decades and have a real effect - it would impact things like per pupil funding, give us greater control over our economy and let us invest in local businesses.”

       Successive UK governments have failed to address the transport problems experienced by Cornwall’s largely rural population, Mr Maguire adds, as well as the homelessness that underlies seemingly affluent tourist hotspots.

       “It’s a real struggle to accept Westminster’s housing targets when we don’t know if they’ll just end up being more second homes. We have 20,000 families who are homeless in Cornwall, which isn’t something a lot of politicians understand.

       “There’s the perception that because there are places like Rock, Padstow and Polzeath, where houses are worth millions, that Cornwall is incredibly wealthy as a whole, but we’re actually one of the poorest regions in the UK.”

       A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said: “The non-mayoral devolution agreement for Cornwall is designed to provide local leaders with more control and influence to deliver for local people, including on skills and transport. The agreement also provides funding to support Cornish distinctiveness, including the protection and promotion of the Cornish language.

       “This agreement is an important first step for Cornwall to see early benefits from devolution. We are delivering on our manifesto commitment to rebalance power and ensuring people across England see the benefits.”