Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland unite over the future of the United Kingdom | Will Burnham be the last Prime Minister of the Union? Explained | Today’s news
UK leaders in Wales, Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland plan to launch a campaign to break up the Union. message by The Telegraph.
The publication says a summit is being held in Cardiff on Monday where the first ministers of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will meet to sign a joint declaration demanding their right to hold referendums on independence from the UK. Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald will also be in attendance.
The move brings together governments and political leaders who want to sever their constitutional ties to Westminster.
The meeting comes after British Prime Minister Andy Burnham suggested to MPs that if there was a “clear consensus” in favor of a referendum in Scotland, he would allow the same.
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What’s happening in Cardiff?
John Swinney, First Minister of Scotland, Rhun ap Iorwerth, First Minister of Wales, and Michelle O’Neill, First Minister of Northern Ireland, are expected to meet on Monday to discuss constitutional changes. The rally is to be held at the five-star St David’s Hotel, The Telegraph reported.
They are expected to submit a joint memorandum that would assert the rights of their citizens to hold referendums on independence.
The meeting takes on significance because it is the first time all three governments will pursue constitutional ambitions in unison, making their challenge to London’s supremacy a more coordinated effort.
Commenting on the development, Swinney said: “The momentum behind serious constitutional change is undeniable. Andy Burnham must now face the prospect of going down in history as the UK’s final Prime Minister,” the publication said.
Why is this happening now?
Leaders from Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are meeting at the moment because of the sharply changed political climate in the UK.
After May’s Welsh election, Plaid Cymru emerged as the largest party in the country’s Senedd, making Rhun ap Iorwerth the first minister.
In Scotland, on the other hand, the centre-left Scottish National Party (SNP) remains the dominant pro-independence force, while the Northern Ireland government is led by Sinn Féin through Michelle O’Neill.
This means that all three devolved administrations are led by pro-independence politicians who have pushed for major changes to the constitution.
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Donald Trump adds fuel to the fire
The Irish issue was addressed by US President Donald Trump, who stated during his visit to Dublin that he would like to see a united Ireland.
Trump described the outlook as positive, telling reporters: “You have Northern Ireland and you have Ireland, and it would seem to me that one of the natural things ever is to bring them together,” according to a Reuters report.
But he said he wouldn’t talk about Scotland just yet: “You asked about Scotland. I won’t talk about that yet. I’ll save that for another day.”
