The leaders of the SNP, Plaid Cymru and Sinn Féin have declared that “Westminster’s time is coming to an end” as they stepped up pressure on the UK Government to prepare for a new round of constitutional referendums.
John Swinney, leader of the SNP, Rhun ap Iorwerth, leader of Plaid Cymru, and Sinn Féin vice president Michelle O’Neill signed a memorandum of understanding in Cardiff on Monday, setting out closer cooperation between the parties.
Mary Lou McDonald, Sinn Féin’s president and leader of the opposition in the Irish Dáil, also took part in the discussions.
The parties called on the British Government to “prepare for, plan and facilitate constitutional change” across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The agreement was signed by the politicians in their capacity as party leaders rather than as representatives of their respective governments. It also sets out ambitions for cooperation on economic policy, energy and international relations.
“The political landscape across these islands is changing,” the agreement says.
“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.”
The parties argue that greater cooperation between the nations would provide an alternative to the existing UK constitutional settlement.
“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,” they said.
“Momentum is behind our movements; we believe that constitutional change is coming.”
The agreement commits the parties to strengthening cooperation and identifies areas including economic growth and energy as potential areas for joint action.
It also calls for the parties to “reject Whitehall’s broken economic model” and says that “the future of our nations belongs in the European Union”.
The leaders argued that Westminster should not be able to prevent individual nations from determining their constitutional future.
“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,” they said.
“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.”
The declaration comes as the SNP continues to demand another Scottish independence referendum, despite repeated opposition from successive UK governments.
Swinney said Scots should be given the opportunity to decide whether Scotland should remain part of the UK, pointing to recent polling showing majority support for independence and the return of a pro-independence majority of MSPs at the latest Holyrood election.
But he accused Westminster of obstructing the process, “The people of Scotland are entitled to decide their own future,” Swinney said.
The agreement marks a significant attempt by the three nationalist movements to coordinate their constitutional demands, while recognising that Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland face different political and legal routes towards any future change.
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