The leaders of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland will meet on September 14, in Cardiff, to sign a joint declaration on the right to self-determination and the organization of referendums on independence, reports The Telegraph.
The meeting will be attended by the Prime Minister of Scotland, John Swinney, the Prime Minister of Wales, Rhun ap Iorwerth, and the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, Michelle O’Neill. Alongside them will also be the president of Sinn Féin, Mary Lou McDonald.
The participants intend to discuss about the right of their own countries to independently decide their constitutional future. Among the topics of the meeting are also the economy, energy, relations with Europe, and international cooperation.
John Swinney stated that the current political situation shows an increase in support for independence.
“For the first time in history, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are led by prime ministers who support independence,” he said.
According to him, London should prepare for a possible future after the United Kingdom. Swinney also stated that Prime Minister Andy Burnham could go down in history as the last Prime Minister of Great Britain.
The meeting takes place against the backdrop of a dispute between Swinney and the British government, related to a new referendum on Scotland’s independence. Burnham stated that, currently, he is not considering organizing such a vote, believing that there is not enough social consensus on this matter.
At the same time, Rhun ap Iorwerth dismissed the idea that the meeting would aim to directly dissolve the United Kingdom. He clarified that his objective is to strengthen the position of Wales, and the issue of independence should be decided by the will of the Welsh inhabitants.
The signing of the joint declaration represents an attempt by the three regions to harmonize their stance on their constitutional future.