UK Nationalist Leaders Unite on Self-Determination

Nationalist party leaders from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland gathered in Cardiff to commit to a shared goal of advancing their nations’ right to self-determination.

The agreement was signed by Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth, Scottish First Minister and Scottish National Party (SNP) leader John Swinney and Northern Ireland First Minister and Sinn Féin deputy leader Michelle O’Neill.

They argued that Westminster should not be able to block votes on the constitutional future of the UK’s constituent nations.

All three parties support fundamental constitutional change. The SNP and Plaid Cymru advocate independence for Scotland and Wales respectively, while Sinn Féin supports Irish reunification. In a joint memorandum, the parties also said they saw their nations’ future within the European Union.

The leaders stressed that each nation has a different constitutional status and should be free to determine its own path, in its own way and at its own pace. Reform UK criticized the meeting, accusing the three parties of separatism.

(tasr, mja)