The leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are meeting in Cardiff for an unprecedented summit, where they are expected to sign a joint declaration on the right to self-determination and the holding of independence referendums. The meeting comes after British Prime Minister Andy Burnham suggested he could authorize a new referendum in Scotland if there were clear consensus in favor of it.
Leaders John Swinney and Rhun ap Iorwerth, along with a representative of the Northern Irish administration, will also sign a memorandum on cooperation in the economy, energy, relations with Europe and self-determination. Mary Lou McDonald, leader of Sinn Féin, will also attend the meeting.
For the first time, pro-independence parties lead all three nations with devolved administrations: the SNP in Scotland, Plaid Cymru in Wales and Sinn Féin in Northern Ireland. Swinney argues that the situation points to the need for major constitutional changes and warns of a possible “post-United Kingdom future.”
The summit comes after Donald Trump’s statements in favor of a united Ireland. Burnham has ruled out holding a Scottish referendum before the next parliamentary elections, however, and said there is currently no clear consensus for such a vote.
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