Leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland join forces to demand referendums on their future

The first ministers of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will meet in Cardiff on Monday, 14 September, to pursue a joint strategy supporting the right of their territories to decide their political future.

According to a report in The Telegraph, the meeting is expected to include the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between the pro-independence parties.

John Swinney, Rhun ap Iorwerth and Michelle O’Neill will attend, alongside Mary Lou McDonald, president of Sinn Féin and leader of the opposition in the Republic of Ireland. The aim is to strengthen calls for referendums on Scottish and Welsh independence and, in Northern Ireland’s case, reunification with Ireland.

The initiative follows Plaid Cymru’s victory in the Welsh elections in May. For the first time, all three territories simultaneously have first ministers from parties that support leaving the United Kingdom.

Burnham’s remarks reignite the debate

The summit follows remarks by British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who opened a debate on the conditions for authorising another Scottish referendum. Speaking in the House of Commons, he drew a parallel with the route available to Northern Ireland under the Good Friday Agreement.

However, Burnham subsequently qualified his remarks, saying there is no consensus for another Scottish referendum. He also reiterated the Government’s opposition to a new vote before the next general election. The Cardiff meeting therefore does not mean that London has authorised any referendum.

Economic cooperation and closer ties with Europe

The proposed memorandum would cover the economy, energy, European relations and self-determination, with the aim of coordinating positions and increasing political pressure on Westminster. The parties also share an ambition to link their territories’ futures to the European Union.