Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland Leaders Unite to Push for Break-Up of the UK

The pro-independence leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are meeting in Cardiff today to demand that Westminster prepare for possible constitutional change across the United Kingdom.

John Swinney, Rhun ap Iorwerth and Michelle O’Neill are expected to sign a memorandum asserting their right to pursue self-determination.

They will also coordinate on economic policy, energy and relations with Europe.

The significance is the cooperation itself.

Independence campaigns in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have traditionally been treated as separate constitutional questions.

Now their political leaders are coordinating.

THREE MOVEMENTS, ONE WESTMINSTER

The Cardiff meeting cannot itself trigger independence.

Scotland cannot unilaterally hold a binding independence referendum.

Any change to Northern Ireland’s constitutional status remains governed by the Good Friday Agreement.

The political pressure is harder to dismiss.

Voters in all three devolved nations have elected governments led by parties committed to constitutional change.

That does not establish majority support for independence.

It does raise a question Westminster may increasingly have to answer.

If voters continue electing governments committed to offering independence votes, how long can Westminster simply refuse to permit them?

The nationalists face their own test.

Winning elections is not the same as winning a majority for independence.

Sources

The Guardian: First ministers meet over right to seek independence

The Straits Times: Three parties coordinate on constitutional change