Sir Tim Smit’s intemperate denunciation of Cornish people as “tossers” for looking back to the good old days helps to highlight a number of things about contemporary Cornwall (Eden Project co-founder under fire for rant about Cornish people, 16 February).
First, we should understand why many look back to a time before tourism and mass immigration made affording a decent home, or a home at all, beyond the reach of many Cornish people. The Cornish are now a minority in Cornwall, and are more likely to experience unemployment, low wages and poor health than non-Cornish residents.
Second, Smit’s remarks are not just offensive, they are possibly racist insofar as the Cornish are a recognised ethnic minority, a protected characteristic. Perhaps Mr Smit should look a little further into what Cornish people are doing to develop their economy, culture and language, and be supportive rather than abusive.
Prof Malcolm Williams
Cardiff University
• Surely Cornish folk need to lighten up a little about Tim Smit’s words. When I was a lad up north, I don’t recall being unduly troubled by that old favourite: “Derbyshire born and Derbyshire bred: strong in the arm and weak in the head.”
Alan Hallsworth
Waterlooville, Hampshire
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