Leaders of the main Scottish, Northern Irish and Welsh parties on September 14 declared their right to “self determination” in a joint agreement signed at a rare meeting in the Welsh capital Cardiff | AFP
Leaders of three major nationalist parties in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have declared that their nations have the right to determine whether they remain part of the United Kingdom.
The leaders of the Scottish National Party (SNP), Plaid Cymru and Sinn Fein made the declaration on Monday at a rare meeting in Cardiff, the Welsh capital, where they signed a memorandum of understanding affirming their commitment to self-determination.
All three parties support ending their respective nations’ constitutional ties with the UK, although they differ on the timing and process for achieving independence or Irish reunification.
“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,” the memorandum stated.
SNP leader John Swinney, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth, and Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald and deputy leader Michelle O’Neill attended the meeting in their capacity as party leaders rather than representatives of their respective governments.
Swinney, Iorwerth and O’Neill also serve as first ministers of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland respectively.
Announcing the agreement, Swinney said the three parties were “absolutely united” around the principle of self-determination.
“For the first time ever, people across these islands have first ministers in Scotland, in Wales and in the North of Ireland who are all committed to independence from the United Kingdom,” the memorandum said.
It added: “The future of our nations belongs in the European Union.”
The development came days after US President Donald Trump expressed support for a united Ireland. O’Neill said Trump’s comments demonstrated that the debate over Irish unity remained “very much alive”.
The three nationalist parties have gained significant political influence in recent years. The SNP and Plaid Cymru are currently the largest parties in the Scottish and Welsh parliaments respectively, while Sinn Fein has been the largest party in Northern Ireland’s assembly since 2022.
The devolved administrations have significant powers over areas including health, education, housing, transport and the environment, as well as some taxation.
Parties Differ on Timing
Despite their shared commitment to self-determination, the parties have different approaches to achieving their constitutional goals.
The SNP is seeking a second referendum on Scottish independence after voters rejected independence in 2014. Successive UK governments have refused to authorise an immediate repeat vote.
Sinn Fein, meanwhile, is campaigning for a referendum on Irish reunification, which would determine whether Northern Ireland should remain part of the UK or join the Republic of Ireland.
Plaid Cymru supports Welsh independence but has ruled out pursuing an immediate referendum, with Iorwerth advocating a longer-term approach.
The memorandum said the agreement demonstrated growing momentum behind the independence movements.
“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,” it said.
Good Friday Agreement
The question of Irish reunification remains governed by provisions of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, which largely ended three decades of sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland.
Under the agreement, a referendum on Irish unity can be called if the UK government’s Northern Ireland secretary believes it is likely that a majority would vote in favour of joining the Republic of Ireland.
Sinn Fein leader McDonald criticised Prime Minister Andy Burnham after he said in August, shortly after taking office, that a referendum on Irish unity was “off the table”.
McDonald argued that the prime minister had no authority to remove provisions contained in the Good Friday Agreement. Burnham subsequently clarified his position in parliament.
On Scotland, Burnham has said another independence referendum could take place if there were a “clear consensus” in favour of one north of the border.
However, he was later reported to have written to Swinney clarifying that a referendum remained “off limits”.
