Irish, Scots and Welsh leaders meet to plan break-up of United Kingdom

The leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will gather in Cardiff on Monday to sign a joint declaration demanding the right to hold independence referendums, in a move designed to accelerate the break-up of the United Kingdom, according to a report by The Telegraph.

Scottish First Minister John Swinney of the SNP, Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth of Plaid Cymru and Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill of Sinn Féin are due to put pen to paper on a memorandum of understanding at the five-star St David’s Hotel overlooking Cardiff Bay.

They will be joined by Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald, the leader of the opposition in the Irish parliament. For the first time since devolution, all three nations are led by pro-independence parties.

The agreement is expected to cover cooperation on the economy, energy, Europe, international affairs and self-determination.

The parties will argue that Scotland and Wales should join the European Union as independent members, while Northern Ireland would do so as part of a united Ireland.

Sources say the summit aims to increase pressure on UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham.

Speaking ahead of the talks, Swinney said: “For the first time ever, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are led by pro-independence first ministers. There could be no clearer sign that the status quo is not sustainable – and that Westminster must prepare for a post-UK future.”

He added that the “momentum behind serious constitutional change is undeniable” and that Burnham “must now be facing up to the idea that he will go down in history as the final prime minister of the United Kingdom.”

The meeting follows Burnham’s comments at Prime Minister’s Questions, in which he indicated that another Scottish independence referendum could be authorised if there were a “clear consensus” in favour.

He later wrote to Swinney insisting a referendum remained “off limits” before the next general election, stating there was “no consensus” for one in Scotland and “no clear basis” to suggest a majority in Northern Ireland currently wished to leave the UK.

A source close to Swinney criticised the Prime Minister’s handling of the issue, saying: “Burnham has not read his brief and doesn’t seem to know the basics of the UK Government’s position on the Union. If I was a Unionist I would be very worried.”

A Sinn Féin source described Irish unity as “not a distant aspiration,” adding: “The work of building the new Ireland must begin now.” A Plaid Cymru source highlighted the value of practical cooperation on energy, the economy and Europe “as partners and as equals.”

The summit comes days after US President Donald Trump, during a visit to Dublin, said he would “love” to see a united Ireland and described Northern Ireland joining the Republic as “a great thing.”

The leaders plan a press conference after signing the memorandum, marking the most coordinated challenge yet to the UK’s constitutional settlement from the Celtic nations.