Fears over the future of the United Kingdom are growing as the leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland prepare to join forces in a fresh push for greater self-determination and the right to hold independence referendums.
Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald is also expected to attend the summit, reported the Telegraph. The meeting brings together Scottish First Minister John Swinney, Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth and Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill, all of whom are associated with parties seeking major constitutional change. The summit comes at a politically sensitive time for Westminster. Pro-independence parties strengthened their position in elections in Wales and Scotland, while Sinn Fein remains a major political force in Northern Ireland. Plaid Cymru emerged as the largest party in the Welsh Senedd after May’s election, allowing Rhun ap Iorwerth to become first minister. In Scotland, the SNP remains the dominant political force, while Sinn Fein continues to hold a strong position in Northern Ireland. However, Prime Minister Andy Burnham has sought to cool expectations. The UK government’s position, however, remains that there is currently no clear public consensus in Northern Ireland for such a referendum.
The leaders are due to meet in Cardiff on Monday and are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding focused on constitutional change and closer cooperation.
he later said in a letter to Swinney that such a vote remained “off limits” While he told MPs that another Scottish referendum could be considered if there were a “clear consensus” for one. The issue gained further international attention after US President Donald Trump, during his visit to Dublin, said he would “love” to see a united Ireland and described reunification as something that could eventually happen.
