Two men from Cornwall, John and Jeremy, recently sat down for a meal as part of the Guardian's 'Dining Across the Divide' series, uncovering both common ground and sharp disagreements on issues facing their home county.
Introducing the Diners
John, aged 41 and from St Austell, works as an automotive engineer. His voting history includes support for Mebyon Kernow, the Cornish nationalist party, when available, with recent votes for the Greens and Liberal Democrats. A self-described hardcore raver, he once attended a 24-hour rave in Birmingham.
Jeremy, aged 54 and from Wadebridge, is employed by a charity. He typically votes Liberal Democrat, with a single Labour vote in 1997. He briefly served as deputy leader of Cornwall council during a Lib Dem/independent coalition, navigating austerity-era challenges.
Initial Impressions and Shared Concerns
Jeremy found John to be quiet, pleasant, and warm, while John noted Jeremy's smiley and approachable demeanor, feeling less nervous about the encounter. Over starters—Jeremy had chicken and pistachio terrine, John opted for pitta and hummus—they quickly identified overlapping worries about Cornwall.
Both men highlighted critical issues: the high cost of housing, low wages, and a lack of opportunity driving young people away. Jeremy observed that Cornwall has become a retirement destination, further inflating house prices and limiting economic prospects for families.
Devolution and National Identity
They agreed on the need for more localised power, but diverged on the rationale. For Jeremy, devolution is a functional matter—delegating authority to the highest necessary and lowest possible level. John, however, framed it through Cornish national identity, arguing that Cornwall's sparse population and unique challenges, like inadequate public transport, require tailored policies.
Jeremy clarified that John's nationalism resembled that seen in Scotland and Wales, not a more extreme version, though he remained sceptical of national identity as a guiding principle. John acknowledged their alignment on devolution, despite differing on the role of nationhood.
Navigating Terminology and 'Woke' Culture
Both men touched on modern terminology, with Jeremy noting his daughter often corrects him. He described 'woke' as sometimes used lazily to dismiss arguments, though he sees it as respecting others' views. John felt some aspects have gone too far, citing examples like debates over 'chairman' versus 'chairperson', which he believes can fuel right-wing criticism.
Surprising Agreement on Tariffs
A key disagreement emerged on tariffs, with Jeremy expressing surprise. He criticised Donald Trump's approach, but John countered, stating tariffs are the one thing he agrees with Trump on. John argued that while tariffs raise short-term costs, they protect jobs long-term and insulate economies from global shocks, though he opposed extreme or sudden implementations.
Reflections and Takeaways
Both men valued admitting when they lacked information on certain topics, wishing more people would do the same. They exchanged phone numbers, planning to meet for a pint after Dry January. The dinner took place at Hicks Bar in St Austell, with additional reporting by Kitty Drake.
This encounter underscores the complexities of local politics in Cornwall, where shared problems like housing and devolution intersect with deeper debates on identity, economic policy, and cultural shifts.
