Leaders of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales to sign memorandum on independence on Monday
The memorandum will also set out cooperation on the economy, energy, Europe and international cooperation, with 4 policy areas on the agenda.
- On Monday, September 14, 2026, Scottish National Party leader John Swinney, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth, and Sinn Féin vice president Michelle O'Neill met in Cardiff to sign a memorandum asserting their nations' right to self-determination.
- May 2026 elections established pro-independence parties as the leading political forces in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland for the first time, creating unprecedented political alignment across the three nations.
- The leaders committed to "prepare, plan and facilitate constitutional change" by pooling efforts on economic, energy, and European policy to increase pressure on Westminster for referendums.
- Northern Ireland's deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly accused O'Neill of attempting to "weaponise the role of First Minister" without seeking agreement or permission from the power-sharing Executive.
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham reiterated that independence referendums remain "off limits" to prioritize economic growth, maintaining the government's position despite the leaders' coordinated push for constitutional change.
353 Articles
353 Articles
New political dynamics around the future of the United Kingdom are being created by the nationalist parties of Scotland, Wales and Ireland. The SNP, Sinn Féin and Plaid Cymru signed a joint memorandum of understanding in Cardiff, Wales, calling on the British government to prepare for constitutional changes aimed at holding referendums on self-determination, with London already taken by surprise by Donald Trump, who spoke out over the weekend i…
NI, Wales and Scotland leaders discuss 'leaving Westminster'
The leaders of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have met in Cardiff to discuss closer cooperation and the constitutional future of their nations – as they consider leaving the United Kingdom. It is the first time since devolution began that all three nations have First Ministers who support leaving the United Kingdom. Welsh First Minister […]
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