LONDON — The leaders of the main Scottish, Northern Irish and Welsh parties declared their right to “self-determination” in a joint agreement signed at a rare meeting in the Welsh capital Cardiff on Monday, urging the UK government to prepare for constitutional change.”Our nations have the right to self-determination. No Westminster government has the right to block democracy or undermine the principle that our people will decide their own future,” they said, referring to the UK-wide parliament in London.A joint declaration signed by Rhun ap Iorwerth, first minister of Wales and leader of Plaid Cymru, John Swinney, first minister of Scotland and leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), and Michelle O’Neill, first minister of Northern Ireland and vice president of Sinn Féin, said the political landscape “is changing.”All three parties want to break away from the UK but have different positions on how and when this might take place.”Each of our nations has the right to determine its own future, through democratic means and in accordance with the wishes of its people,” the document noted.But while Scotland’s Swinney and Northern Ireland’s O’Neill called for referendums at the joint press conference, Wales’ Ap Iorwerth declined to give a timetable for one in his country.Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald also attended the meeting.McDonald described Monday’s meeting was “historic”, saying: “We have the right to referendum. We have the right to decide our future.”We will not accept or tolerate any prime minister telling us that right is off the table.”During Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Andy Burnham appeared to indicate a second referendum could be held in Scotland if there was clear public support for a vote.He compared the situation to the conditions for a border poll in Northern Ireland, explaining the Good Friday Agreement made clear a poll would be “considered by the Northern Ireland secretary when there is a clear consensus in the country, when public opinion has changed to the point where the call has to be considered”.”I would say that it is exactly the same situation in Scotland,” he added.The apparent softening in tone was welcomed by Swinney before Burnham clarified that another Scottish referendum remained “off limits”.A referendum on Scottish independence in September 2014 saw the country vote to remain part of the UK by a margin of 55% to 45%.The leaders said they believe the “future of our nations belongs in the European Union,” adding that, for the first time ever, there are first ministers in Scotland, in Wales and in the North of Ireland “who are all committed to independence from the UK.”Saying that Brexit has damaged their economies and limited opportunities for their people, the declaration underlined that the leaders want to work together to rebuild and strengthen those European relationships, creating greater opportunities for trade, investment, culture and cooperation.”The joint declaration noted: “Our nations have the right to self-determination.”“We call for the British Government to prepare for, plan and facilitate constitutional change in each jurisdiction,” read the declaration.It said no Westminster government “has the right to block democracy or undermine” the principle that the three nations will decide their own future.”For people watching across these islands, for people watching around the world, there could be no clearer sign that Westminster’s time is coming to an end,” the leaders noted.It added: “What unites us is a determination to ensure that the voices of our nations are heard, that our people have the opportunity to thrive, and that cooperation between Scotland, Wales and Ireland can be strengthened.”For the first time since devolution began in 1997, all three nations have first ministers who want to leave the UK.Speaking to Sky News ahead of the meeting, O’Neill said that the whole political landscape is changing, adding that Irish unification is “very much on the table.”It came after US President Donald Trump said Monday that integrating Ireland and Northern Ireland represents “one of the naturals of all time,” suggesting historical partitions should be resolved.The remarks followed comments he made Saturday while in Ireland, when he said he would “love” to see a united Ireland.The “changing political landscape across these islands” meant there was a strong case for “practical political co-operation” on areas like energy, the economy and working with Europe,” a Plaid spokesperson was quoted by the BBC as saying.Meanwhile, SNP leader Swinney said that the three parties share the belief that “the people of our respective nations must be able to shape their own future.””At this pivotal moment of constitutional change, we will deepen our partnership,” he wrote on US social media platform X.
Keep Up to Date with our Weekly Newsletter
