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Leaders of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland Sign Agreement for Independence Referendums

The leaders of Plaid Cymru, SNP, and Sinn Féin meet in Cardiff to demand the right to hold referendums on independence from the United Kingdom.

15 September 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Archive photo: Leaders of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland Sign Agreement for Independence Referendums — Archive photoPhoto: Pitxiquin · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

The First Ministers of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland signed a memorandum of understanding in Cardiff on Monday, highlighting their right to self-determination and demanding the calling of referendums on independence from the United Kingdom. This pact involves Rhun ap Iorwerth, leader of Plaid Cymru, John Swinney of the Scottish National Party (SNP), and Michelle O’Neill of Sinn Féin.

At this meeting, the nationalist leaders expressed their desire to reclaim powers that ensure their democratic rights and allow their peoples to decide their future. In joint statements, they emphasized that no Westminster government has the right to hinder these democratic aspirations.

This political movement occurs in a context where, for the first time, the three nations are led by leaders of parties that advocate for independence. Despite British Prime Minister Andy Burnham dismissing the possibility of new referendums in Scotland, the regional leaders are seeking a process that allows their citizens to express their views on the political future they desire.

The leaders also received recent remarks from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who expressed his support for the unification of Ireland, adding a new dimension to the discussion on the independence of these nations from the United Kingdom.

The agreement signed today is presented as a direct challenge to the British government and marks a significant step in the pursuit of autonomy. The parties committed to strengthening their collaboration and seeking constitutional reforms to support their independence aspirations.

In their statements, they underscored that the era of Westminster is coming to an end and that it is crucial for the British government to recognize the growing popular support for self-determination in their respective nations.

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