Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to Demand Right to Hold Referendums on Their Future
World
The leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are due to meet in Cardiff on September 14 to sign a joint declaration demanding the right to hold referendums on the constitutional future of their territories, The Sunday Telegraph reports.
The meeting of the three first ministers has been described as unprecedented. It will bring together Scottish First Minister John Swinney, Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth and Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald is also expected to attend.
According to the newspaper, the participants plan to sign a memorandum of understanding covering four areas: the economy, energy, relations with Europe and the international community, and the right to self-determination. The central political demand is expected to be the creation of a mechanism allowing referendums on independence or the future constitutional status of the territories.
Swinney said that, for the first time, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are simultaneously led by first ministers who support independence. He argued that this demonstrates that the existing status quo is “not sustainable” and that Westminster should prepare for a future beyond the United Kingdom. Swinney also suggested that UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham could go down in history as the “last prime minister of the United Kingdom.”
The document is also expected to address relations with Europe. According to the reported plans, the parties will state that the territories currently forming the UK should ultimately be linked to the European Union: Scotland and Wales as new member states, and Northern Ireland as part of the Republic of Ireland.
The initiative would increase pressure on London over the right of the UK’s constituent territories to determine their own constitutional future. However, the proposal is focused on securing the right to hold referendums rather than declaring an immediate withdrawal from the United Kingdom.
The Cardiff meeting therefore marks a coordinated political push for self-determination, bringing together the pro-independence leadership of Scotland and Wales with Northern Ireland’s nationalist leadership and Sinn Féin.
According to the newspaper, the participants plan to sign a memorandum of understanding covering four areas: the economy, energy, relations with Europe and the international community, and the right to self-determination. The central political demand is expected to be the creation of a mechanism allowing referendums on independence or the future constitutional status of the territories.
Swinney said that, for the first time, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are simultaneously led by first ministers who support independence. He argued that this demonstrates that the existing status quo is “not sustainable” and that Westminster should prepare for a future beyond the United Kingdom. Swinney also suggested that UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham could go down in history as the “last prime minister of the United Kingdom.”
The document is also expected to address relations with Europe. According to the reported plans, the parties will state that the territories currently forming the UK should ultimately be linked to the European Union: Scotland and Wales as new member states, and Northern Ireland as part of the Republic of Ireland.
The initiative would increase pressure on London over the right of the UK’s constituent territories to determine their own constitutional future. However, the proposal is focused on securing the right to hold referendums rather than declaring an immediate withdrawal from the United Kingdom.
The Cardiff meeting therefore marks a coordinated political push for self-determination, bringing together the pro-independence leadership of Scotland and Wales with Northern Ireland’s nationalist leadership and Sinn Féin.
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