The leaders of the nationalist parties of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland signed a memorandum of understanding in Cardiff, confirming the right of their peoples to self-determination. The document was signed by Scottish First Minister John Swinney, the leader of the Welsh Plaid Cymru Rhun ap Iorwerth and Sinn Féin vice-president and Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill; Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald was also present at the meeting.
The text of the memorandum states that the residents of Scotland, Wales and Ireland have the right to determine their future democratically. The participants of the meeting called on the British government to “prepare, plan and facilitate constitutional changes” in each of the three jurisdictions. At the same time, the document does not contain a direct demand to schedule specific referendums on leaving the United Kingdom and does not indicate possible timelines for such votes.
It was expected that the negotiations in Cardiff would become a step toward joint pressure on Downing Street to secure independence referendums. On the eve of the meeting, it was reported that the parties intended to put forward precisely such a demand, but the final version of the memorandum limited itself to a declaration on self-determination and plans for cooperation in the economy, energy, relations with Europe and international ties.
After the document was signed, a spokesman for British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said that London does not intend to enter into new constitutional discussions or hold additional referendums. According to him, the head of government believes the United Kingdom is strong precisely in the unity of the four nations and intends to focus on reducing pressure on household budgets, growing the economy and improving economic security.
“The Prime Minister is committed to delivering change in all four nations of the United Kingdom and firmly believes in the Union,” his office’s comment said. It added that the government counts on partnership with the First Ministers and Deputy First Ministers of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, rather than a politics of division.
Earlier, Burnham had allowed for the possibility of a new Scottish independence referendum in the presence of a “clear consensus” among the region’s residents. However, later, in a letter to Swinney, he clarified that the issue of independence and a new plebiscite remains “off the agenda” until the next general election. The letter also noted that the government does not see a consensus in Scotland in favor of a vote and does not consider it likely that there is a majority for Northern Ireland leaving the United Kingdom.
