The leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are expected to meet in Cardiff on Monday to sign a joint declaration calling for greater self-determination, according to The Telegraph.
The planned meeting is expected to bring together leaders from the three nations amid renewed debate over the future of the United Kingdom and demands for greater constitutional autonomy.
The leaders are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding covering issues including the economy, energy, relations with Europe and self-determination.
The declaration is expected to support the principle that the nations should have the right to determine their constitutional futures through democratic means, including independence referendums.
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney said the political situation represented a significant change in the relationship between the devolved nations and Westminster.
“For the first time ever, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are led by pro-independence first ministers,” Swinney said, according to The Telegraph.
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“There could be no clearer sign that the status quo is not sustainable – and that Westminster must prepare for a post-UK future,” he added.
The planned meeting comes amid renewed disagreement over the possibility of another Scottish independence referendum.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has previously indicated that another referendum could be considered if there was sufficient public support. However, he later wrote to Swinney saying that an independence referendum was currently “off limits”.
Burnham also argued that there was no clear consensus in Scotland for another vote and no evidence that a majority in Northern Ireland currently wanted to leave the United Kingdom.
The proposed declaration would nevertheless signal closer political cooperation among the three nations as debates over their constitutional futures intensify.
The Northern Irish question is particularly complex because its constitutional future could involve either remaining within the United Kingdom or joining a united Ireland. Under the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, a referendum on Irish unity can be held if it appears likely that a majority would support such a change.
The Cardiff meeting is also expected to address the nations’ relationships with Europe and possible cooperation in areas such as energy and economic policy.
However, the declaration would not itself make Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland independent. Any constitutional change would require further political and legal processes, including referendums where applicable.
The meeting therefore represents a political push for greater self-determination rather than an immediate break-up of the United Kingdom.
The developments could increase pressure on Westminster as Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland continue to debate their future relationship with the British state.
