11th September 2045
Today, we remember the tragic destruction of the Twin Towers in New York forty-four years ago, while also celebrating the fifth anniversary of Cornish Independence.
Cornwall’s journey to independence was long and fraught with challenges. With a population of just over half a million, the county could never have hoped to stand alone. However, its future was secured when it joined the Celtic Alliance, a coalition of Wales, Scotland, Ireland, and the Isle of Man. (The Channel Islands are expected to join soon, further strengthening the Alliance.)
The roots of Cornish nationalism can be traced back to the early 2020s, in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, thousands of wealthy English citizens began buying up properties in Cornwall, driving prices far beyond the reach of locals. These homes were often used as second residences, left empty for most of the year, or rented out to holidaymakers at exorbitant rates. Families who had lived in Cornwall for generations were forced to leave, unable to afford housing in their own homeland.
This displacement sparked outrage, and inevitably, an extreme Cornish nationalist group emerged. Mirroring the tactics of Meibion Glyndŵr in 1980s Wales, they began targeting the properties of incomers, setting them ablaze. While these actions alienated many locals who relied on the tourism industry, they also drew attention to the growing discontent with Westminster’s neglect. Cornwall’s infrastructure—hospitals, ambulance services, police, and roads—was overwhelmed each summer by the influx of visitors, deepening resentment toward the central government.
Politically, Cornwall underwent a dramatic transformation. Once a Conservative stronghold, it shifted to the Lib Dems, then to Labour, and finally, in 2034, elected two Mebyon Kernow MPs to Parliament. This marked a turning point. By 2037, Scotland had declared independence and joined the Celtic Alliance, paving the way for Cornwall to follow. At midnight on September 11, 2040, Cornwall became an independent nation. Just 24 hours later, it was welcomed into the Celtic Alliance, securing a seat at the Alliance’s headquarters in Dublin.
Today, Cornwall thrives as part of the Alliance, though some old habits die hard. The historic Cornish industry of smuggling has resurfaced, but with a modern twist: goods are now smuggled out of Cornwall (as well as Wales and Scotland) and into England, where officially sold products are significantly more expensive. The Celtic Alliance enjoys free trade with Europe and the rest of the world, while England continues to struggle with establishing stable trading relationships. English authorities often turn a blind eye to the smuggling, as the cheaper goods help placate a population weary of economic hardship.
The much-publicized wall England began constructing along its borders was abandoned after the implementation of a nationwide DNA database and mandatory birth registrations. In exchange for a pledge of non-interference from England, the Celtic Alliance agreed to return any illegal English migrants—a policy enacted after English troops briefly stormed Cornwall in 2042. Those returned now face lengthy detentions in English holding centers before trial and sentencing.
The Celtic nations—often referred to as “Celts,” despite the majority not being of Celtic origin—watch England’s political machinations with a mix of curiosity and amusement. The frequent elections, each producing a new right-wing, fiercely patriotic government, are widely reported globally, much to the annoyance of English authorities.
Tourism in Cornwall remains vibrant, though the demographics have shifted. The majority of summer visitors now come from Wales, Ireland, and Scotland, as England imposes strict limits on how much money its citizens can take abroad. Cornwall, once a jewel in England’s crown, now shines as a proud member of the Celtic Alliance, its future secure and its identity firmly its own.
