Three of the most prominent nationalist parties in the UK and Ireland have joined forces in a new push for independence votes, declaring in a shared statement that “Westminster’s time is coming to an end”.
SNP leader John Swinney, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth and Sinn Féin leader in Northern Ireland Michelle O’Neill signed a memorandum of understanding at a meeting in Cardiff this morning, bringing together the leaders of the UK’s three devolved nations.
Joined by Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, the four leaders urged the British government to “prepare for, plan and facilitate constitutional change”, and said their parties would deepen cooperation in areas beyond constitutional politics, including the economy, energy and international co-operation.
The parties stressed the talks were held in their roles as party leaders rather than as representatives of their respective governments.
First Minister of Northern Ireland Michelle O’Neill, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald, First Minister of Wales Rhun ap Iorwerth and First Minister of Scotland John Swinney pictured in Cardiff this morning
In the text of the agreement, the leaders argue that political attitudes are shifting across Britain and Ireland.
“The political landscape across these islands is changing.
“For the first time ever, people across these islands have first ministers in Scotland, in Wales and in the North of Ireland who are all committed to independence from the United Kingdom.
“For people watching across these islands – for people watching around the world – there could be no clearer sign that Westminster’s time is coming to an end.
“We believe there is a better way: nations working together as equals, sharing ideas and expertise, and building relationships based on mutual respect and common interests.
“Momentum is behind our movements; we believe that constitutional change is coming.
“We therefore commit to strengthening cooperation between our parties and identifying practical areas where working together can make a real difference.”
Alongside the call for referendums, the memorandum outlines a shared intention to “reject Whitehall’s broken economic model”, exchange proposals on economic growth, and expand energy resources. It also states that “the future of our nations belongs in the European Union”.
The leaders add: “Our nations have the right to self-determination. No Westminster government has the right to block democracy or undermine the principle that our people will decide their own future.
“We recognise that our parties have different constitutional positions and that each nation will determine its own future in its own way and in its own time.
“We call for the British Government to prepare for, plan and facilitate constitutional change in each jurisdiction.”
At the signing event, Ms O’Neill said remarks from US President Donald Trump backing Irish unity underline that discussion of constitutional change is not confined to domestic politics.
“I think the comments from the president of the United States very much reflect the fact that the unity debate is very much alive, and people are engaged in it, not just at home, but obviously now internationally as well.
“I think that tells us where we’re at with where the thinking is around what is the big prize here for our people, and the big prize here is unification.
“It is the end of partition and it is that new beginning in a new Ireland.
“I think the comments that we’ve seen over the weekend very much reflect that there is a chorus now of people that are engaged in this debate.”
In Scotland, the question of another referendum remains central to the SNP’s agenda. Scotland’s Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth said the trigger point for a further independence vote has already been met.
Ms Gilruth also said she did not believe UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham was an “ardent unionist”, citing his earlier comments about the union.
O’Neill ‘had not sought permission to travel or sign deal’ – DUP
Michelle O’Neill’s attendance in Cardiff drew criticism from Northern Ireland’s deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly of the DUP, who said Ms O’Neill had “not sought any agreement or permission from me to travel, attend or sign anything as First Minister”.
The British government’s position on further independence referendums has remained firm since the 2014 Scottish vote, and Downing Street this week moved to dampen any suggestion of a change of stance.
Andy Burnham told the House of Commons that a further vote in Scotland could be held if there was a “clear consensus” north of the border, but a subsequent letter sent to Mr Swinney clarified that a referendum was still “off limits”.
Emma Little-Pengelly has accused MsO’Neill of attempting to ‘weaponise the role of First Minister’
Debate over a border poll in Ireland has intensified following weekend comments from Donald Trump endorsing Irish unity.
Ms Little-Pengelly, who jointly leads the Stormont powersharing Executive, accused Ms O’Neill of attempting to “weaponise the role of First Minister”.
In a social media post she said: “Let me be absolutely clear. Michelle O’Neill is not travelling to this ‘summit’ as First Minister, she has no authority to present herself as representing the FM role at any such ‘summit’ and nor does she have any authority to sign anything as First Minister of Northern Ireland at any such ‘summit’.
“She has not sought any agreement or permission from me to travel, attend or sign anything as First Minister.
“She would have needed to do so to do anything as FM. The formal roles we hold are entirely joint roles.”
Watch: What did Donald Trump say about a united Ireland?
Hard work not simplistic rhetoric needed – Taoiseach
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the question of Irish unity requires hard work rather than simplistic rhetoric or timelines.
He also confirmed he plans to raise the issue of legacy when he meets Mr Burnham.
His comments come after Donald Trump’s remarks in support of a united Ireland and the signing in Cardiff by the leaders of Sinn Féin, the SNP and Plaid Cymru of a memorandum advocating independence referendums.
Mr Martin said the future of the island must rest on three relationships: the British-Irish relationship, the North-South link and the relationship between the two traditions in Northern Ireland.
He said further reconciliation is needed and accused Sinn Féin of harking back to the 1970s.
Ms McDonald said she hoped the Taoiseach had taken on board the message from the US President and urged him to intensify preparations for a border poll.
Changed dynamic in British politics, says Murphy
Sinn Féin’s leader in the Seanad said he believes British politics has entered a new phase, arguing there is now a recognition that the current moment “brings us to a new footing”.
On RTÉ’s Morning Ireland programme, Senator Conor Murphy said the Cardiff meeting is intended to set out a formal programme of collaboration between the nationalist parties.
Pointing to the SNP’s continued electoral strength and the election of Plaid, he said there is “clearly a changed dynamic in British politics” and added: “I think there is a recognition that this brings us to a new footing”.
Referring to Donald Trump’s comments on a united Ireland, Mr Murphy said they underscore the need for the Taoiseach to begin “serious preparation” for constitutional change on the island.
He said nobody wants to “stumble into a Brexit-like scenario” and argued that any constitutional shift must be managed through an orderly, smooth transition.
Senator Murphy also said there has long been bi-partisan support in the US for Northern Ireland.
“So I hope it has some positive effect in that regard. But it is interesting nonetheless. I think he (Trump) reflects the general view of politics in the United States in relation to Ireland,” he said.
