Irish, Scottish, Welsh Leaders to Sign Self-Determination Pact in Cardiff
The leaders also pledged cooperation on the economy, energy and Europe as they press the UK government for constitutional change.
- On Monday, September 14, 2026, Scottish First Minister John Swinney, Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth, and Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill met in Cardiff and signed a memorandum of understanding calling on Westminster to prepare, plan and facilitate constitutional change.
- Following May 2026 elections, nationalist-led administrations now govern Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland for the first time, marking an unprecedented political shift that prompted this summit among the three leaders.
- The memorandum covers economy, energy, international cooperation, and self-determination, with the leaders committing to "strengthening cooperation between our parties and identifying practical areas where working together can make a real difference."
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham reiterated that independence referendums remain "off limits," while Northern Ireland's deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly accused O'Neill of attempting to "weaponise the role of First Minister" without executive authorization.
- While the leaders share ambitions for EU membership, they face diverging legal paths; Northern Ireland holds a statutory border poll mechanism under the Good Friday Agreement, whereas Scotland and Wales lack equivalent unilateral referenda pathways.
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Leaders of Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland Renew Call for Independence from UK
(L-R) First Minister of Scotland John Swinney, First Minister of Wales Rhun ap Iorwerth, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald, and First Minister of Northern Ireland Michelle O'Neill during a meeting to discuss the the future of independence for their respective countries, in Cardiff, Wales, on Sept. 14, 2026. (Ben Birchall/PA via AP)
Can the UK break up? Pact between Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland raises fresh questions
Leaders of nationalist and pro-Irish-unification parties have signed a joint pact asserting their nations’ right to decide their constitutional futures, putting fresh pressure on Westminster as debates over Scottish independence and Irish reunification gather pace.
In power in the three countries, a first in the United Kingdom, the independent parties claimed their right to self-determination on Monday. The aim was to turn the Brexit page and strengthen economic, commercial and cultural relations with Europe "Andy Burnham will be the last Prime Minister of the United Kingdom." The tone was set in Cardiff, Wales, this Monday. Premiers of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland were organizing "a summit to put …
Leaders Sign Pact That Could Break Up the UK
The leaders of Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland signed a pact Monday that threatens to lead to the breakup of the United Kingdom. The first ministers of the three semiautonomous regions of the UK told Prime Minister Andy Burnham and his government to prepare for constitutional change and that their...
An unusual meeting today in Cardiff. The government leaders of Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland gathered there to reclaim their independence...
Leaders from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, meeting on Monday in Cardiff, signed a joint declaration to claim "the right to self-determination" and said that their nations' future is in the European Union," AFP reports.
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