The distinctive nature of Cornish politics has led to a significant number of officeholders from both the Liberal Democrats and the Conservative Party being supportive of greater Cornish autonomy. However, with both parties this has never been official national policy. 1986 saw the death of the charismatic MP David Penhaligon of the (then) Liberal Party. Penhaligon's career looked promising, with some tipping him as a future leader. In a speech he made in support of the Cornish miners at Camborne, he said: