Leaders of nationalist parties in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have signed a joint agreement asserting their nations’ right to self-determination and calling for constitutional change in the United Kingdom.
The agreement was signed in Cardiff by Scottish National Party leader John Swinney, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth and Sinn Féin’s Michelle O’Neill. Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald also attended the meeting. The leaders participated as party leaders rather than representatives of their respective governments.
The three parties support greater autonomy and, ultimately, independence or Irish reunification, although their approaches and timelines differ. They also pledged cooperation on areas including economic development, renewable energy and relations with Europe.
The agreement says Westminster should not block democratic decisions about the constitutional future of the three nations. It also argues that their future should be connected to the European Union.
Under the current UK constitutional system, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have devolved governments but remain part of the United Kingdom. Defence and foreign affairs remain under Westminster, and Scotland and Wales cannot unilaterally hold independence referendums. Northern Ireland has a separate legal pathway under the 1998 Good Friday Agreement for a vote on Irish reunification.
The agreement comes amid renewed debate over the UK's constitutional future. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said another Scottish independence referendum is currently “off limits”, while the Scottish and Northern Irish nationalist movements continue to press for votes on their constitutional futures.
