The leaders of pro-independence parties in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales will meet in Cardiff, the capital of Wales, to discuss issues shared by the three regions.
The meeting will be attended by Scottish National Party leader John Swinney, Sinn Féin leader Michelle O’Neill and Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth. Mary Lou McDonald, leader of Sinn Féin in the Republic of Ireland, will also take part in the talks.
The right to self-determination is on the agenda
The meeting, led by Rhun ap Iorwerth, is expected to address the right to self-determination and the shared interests of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The British newspaper The Telegraph reported that the three leaders would sign a memorandum of understanding reiterating their demand for an independence referendum. The document aims to increase pressure on British Prime Minister Andy Burnham to pursue this goal.
The political landscape in the regions
Pro-independence parties govern alone in Wales and Scotland without holding a majority. In Northern Ireland, a power-sharing model is in place, with different parties holding equal power.
Michelle O’Neill serves as first minister of Northern Ireland, while pro-British Emma Little-Pengelly serves as deputy first minister. Burnham has argued that the majority of people in Northern Ireland want to remain part of the United Kingdom.
The debate over Irish reunification
Burnham previously said he would not support independence referendums in Northern Ireland and Scotland and that such initiatives would not comply with the law.
US President Donald Trump also said that the reunification of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland would be wonderful after meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin.
In a statement about the meeting, John Swinney argued that Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are being governed by pro-independence administrations for the first time.
