Welsh, Scottish, and Northern Irish leaders sign independence memorandum

The first ministers of Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland—Rhun ap Iorwerth, John Swinney, and Michelle O'Neill—signed a memorandum of understanding in Cardiff on September 14, 2026, committing their nationalist parties to closer cooperation on constitutional matters. The agreement asserts that "Westminster's time is coming to an end" and calls on the British government to "prepare for, plan and facilitate constitutional change," arguing that no Westminster government has the right to block democracy or undermine self-determination.

The signing represents a historic moment: for the first time, all three devolved nations have first ministers who favour their regions' independence or greater autonomy. The leaders, representing the Scottish National Party, Plaid Cymru, and Sinn Féin respectively, met as party representatives rather than in their official government capacities. Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald also attended. While Swinney and O'Neill called for referendums on independence at the press conference, ap Iorwerth declined to specify a timeline for Wales, stating that the timescale would be "set by the people of Wales."

The memorandum identifies three main areas for cooperation: economic development and job creation; renewable energy expansion, with the parties arguing their nations' energy wealth should benefit their own people; and rebuilding European relationships. All three parties blamed Brexit for damaging their economies and restricted opportunities, describing Europe as their "common home" and asserting that the future of their nations belongs in the European Union.

The agreement acknowledges that Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have distinct histories, identities, and constitutional arrangements. Each nation will determine its own future "in its own way and in its own time." The parties recognised their different constitutional positions: Scotland held an independence referendum in 2014 (voting 55–45 to remain in the UK); Wales has never held such a vote; and Northern Ireland's constitutional future is governed by the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, which allows a referendum on reunification only if the UK Secretary of State judges there is sufficient support.

The meeting came days after US President Donald Trump expressed support for Irish reunification during a visit with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin in Dublin. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham had previously ruled out a referendum on Northern Irish reunification during an August 27 visit to Belfast. Recent polling cited by analysts shows public opinion across the three nations remains divided, with support for independence close to but not exceeding 50 percent in most cases, and significant portions of the population still favouring union with the UK.