Political tensions over the future of the United Kingdom have intensified after nationalist leaders from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland signed a joint agreement declaring that no Westminster government should have the power to block their people's right to decide their constitutional future.
The agreement was signed on Monday by Scotland's First Minister John Swinney, Wales' First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth and Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill, with Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald also attending the meeting.Read original
The development is significant because, for the first time since devolution began, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all have first ministers whose parties support ending the United Kingdom in its current form.
Leaders Demand Right to Hold Referendums
At a joint press conference, Swinney and O'Neill openly called for referendums to allow their nations to determine their futures.
However, ap Iorwerth stopped short of announcing a timetable for a Welsh independence referendum.
The memorandum of understanding signed by the nationalist parties stated that the people of each nation should be allowed to determine their own future.
It said: "No Westminster government has the right to block democracy or undermine the principle that our people will decide their own future."
The agreement also acknowledged that the three parties have different constitutional positions and that each nation would determine its future "in its own way and in its own time."
Ap Iorwerth said there was growing recognition that Westminster was not working effectively for Wales.
He argued that more power should be transferred closer to Welsh communities.
"Wales should have the power, the resources, the fair treatment we need as a nation to build the future our people deserve," he said.
Swinney Predicts Scotland Could Leave UK
SNP leader Swinney described the meeting as a "pivotal moment" in the constitutional history of the United Kingdom.
According to him, the recent elections in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland had created an unusual political situation in which the first ministers believed their respective nations should have the right to determine their own futures.
He described self-determination as an "inalienable right".
Swinney went further by referring to Andy Burnham as the "last prime minister of the United Kingdom", predicting that Scottish voters would choose independence if they were given another opportunity to vote.
The 2014 Scottish independence referendum ended with voters choosing to remain part of the UK, with 55% voting against independence and 45% supporting it.
Sinn Féin Demands Irish Unity Referendum
For Northern Ireland, Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald said the right to hold a referendum on the region's constitutional future could not simply be removed from consideration.
Describing Monday's meeting as "historic", McDonald said: "We have the right to referendum. We have the right to decide our future."
Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill said the three nations were different and had their own priorities, but argued that they shared a common concern about Westminster's ability to properly serve their people.
"The common cause here is that Westminster does not and will never serve our people well," she said.
However, the position has created tension within Northern Ireland's power-sharing government.
Democratic Unionist Party deputy first minister Emma Little-Pengelly accused O'Neill of attempting to "weaponise the role of first minister".
In Northern Ireland, the first minister and deputy first minister have equal powers within the power-sharing executive.
Wales Yet to Set Independence Referendum Date
While Scotland and Northern Ireland are pushing more directly for referendums, Wales' position remains less immediate.
When asked whether the agreement meant Plaid Cymru would pressure Westminster to allow a Welsh independence referendum, ap Iorwerth said the future of Wales should ultimately be determined by the Welsh people.
He said the timing of any referendum would depend on when enough people were convinced of the case for independence.
"The timescale will be set by the people of Wales when they are persuaded. My job is to persuade," he said.
The Welsh Government currently does not have the legal authority to hold an independence referendum. Ap Iorwerth said he wanted that power to be devolved to Wales.
His position also reflects an earlier commitment by Plaid Cymru. After becoming Wales' first non-Labour first minister following the May Senedd election, ap Iorwerth had ruled out pushing for an independence referendum during his party's first term in government.
Instead, his administration plans to establish a national commission aimed at laying the groundwork for possible future Welsh independence.
Scotland and Wales Agree to Work Together
Later on Monday, the Scottish and Welsh governments signed a separate agreement focused on strengthening cooperation between the two nations.
The agreement is not legally binding but commits both governments to push for greater fairness in funding arrangements and greater powers over constitutional matters.
They also agreed to cooperate on issues including child poverty and making greater use of their relationships with the European Union.
One major issue is the Barnett Formula, which plays a key role in determining how public funding is allocated to Wales and Scotland.
Welsh ministers have repeatedly argued that the current funding system disadvantages Wales and have called for reforms.
However, Swinney stopped short of backing a specific reform of the Barnett Formula.
He said funding arrangements differed across the UK's constituent nations and that each government had to continue making its own case.
Ap Iorwerth, meanwhile, argued that Wales should receive at least some of the additional flexibilities already available to Scotland.
"There are flexibilities that Scotland already have right now as a minimum to be handed to Wales," he said.
Burnham's Position on Scottish Referendum Causes Confusion
The issue of Scottish independence has also featured in recent comments from Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
During Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, Burnham appeared to suggest that another Scottish independence referendum could take place if there was clear public support for one.
He compared the situation with the arrangements for a potential border poll in Northern Ireland under the Good Friday Agreement.
However, his comments were later followed by a clarification that another Scottish independence referendum remained "off limits".
Swinney welcomed what initially appeared to be a change in tone before Burnham clarified the government's position.
Wales Seeks More Powers
While independence remains a long-term objective for Plaid Cymru, the Welsh Government is also seeking additional powers from Westminster.
Among the areas being discussed are policing and youth justice.
Burnham has indicated that he is open to transferring some additional powers to Wales.
Ap Iorwerth said the UK prime minister still had much to learn about the difference between devolving powers to a nation such as Wales and transferring authority to a region or city in England.
Despite the disagreements, he said he wanted to maintain a positive working relationship with Burnham.
"I want to have a positive relationship with him, I believe he wants to have a positive relationship with me," he said.
UK Government Defends the Union
The UK government rejected the suggestion that Westminster was approaching the end of its role in the four-nation union.
A government spokesperson said the prime minister remained committed to delivering change across Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England.
"The prime minister is committed to delivering change across all four nations of the United Kingdom and believes strongly in the union," the government said.
The devolved leaders are expected to meet with the prime minister next month.
Labour and Reform Attack Plaid Cymru
The agreement has also triggered criticism from opponents of Welsh independence.
Welsh Labour leader Ken Skates accused Plaid Cymru of focusing on breaking up the UK instead of addressing issues affecting people in Wales.
"Plaid have given people nothing since the election," he said, adding that the party wanted to use political power to "break up Britain".
Welsh Conservative Senedd leader Darren Millar also criticised ap Iorwerth, arguing that the first minister should focus on challenges facing the Welsh NHS and education system rather than independence.
Reform UK's Welsh leader Dan Thomas similarly accused the first minister of failing to deal with NHS waiting lists and education problems while pursuing the issue of breaking up the UK.
The latest agreement therefore marks another major development in the long-running debate over the future of the United Kingdom, with nationalist parties in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland increasingly pushing for greater powers and, ultimately, the right of their people to determine whether they remain part of the UK.