The first ministers of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland declared on Monday that “Westminster’s time is coming to an end”, and that the UK government should prepare for constitutional change. The nationalist leaders from Plaid Cymru, Sinn Féin and the SNP who want their countries to leave the United Kingdom met at a landmark summit aimed at putting the UK’s Celtic nations on the path to independence referendums. The summit in Cardiff on Monday was the first face-to-face meeting since Plaid Cymru won Senedd elections, which put separatist parties in government in all three countries for the first time.
The Plaid Cymru leader, Rhun ap Iorwerth; the Scottish National party leader, John Swinney; Sinn Féin’s vice-president, Michelle O’Neill, and the president and leader of the opposition in Ireland, Mary Lou McDonald, signed a Memorandum of Understanding recognising that “the political landscape across these islands is changing”.
‘No Westminster govt has the right to block democracy’
“Momentum is behind our movements; we believe that constitutional change is coming,” the MoU read. “No Westminster government has the right to block democracy or undermine the principle that our people will decide their own future.”
“We call for the British government to prepare for, plan and facilitate constitutional change in each jurisdiction,” it added.
Trending Stories
)
Did India risk its US trade deal despite softer stance at BRICS?
)
Pakistan puts Pak Rs 70 lakh bounty on UN terrorist Masood Azhar; move draws skepticism in Delhi
)
First naval drone battle? Ukraine says Sargan 3000 sank Russian unmanned boat
)
Practical Magic 2 breaks Spidey spell over North American box office
)
'Huge destructive power': North Korea calls its latest missile launches 'live-fire drill' even as US dismisses 'immediate threat'
)
‘Let’s go’: Newly declassified videos show dramatic rescue of US Air Force officers downed in Iran
)
Delhi’s balancing act: BRICS serves as a stage for West Asia diplomacy
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why European Meteor missiles use ramjet engines compared to standard US solid rockets
)
‘India did extremely well’: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa praises BRICS leadership
)
Iran, India agree to deepen humanitarian and political ties, President Pezeshkian says
)
‘Want to reset ties with India, have engagement based on mutual interests,’ says Bangladesh minister
)
Trump says Canada eager to reach a deal, it could come ‘fairly soon’ if Ottawa treats US farmers better
)
Turkish Airlines plane flies through a storm three times, triggering severe turbulence
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Chinese PL-15 air-to-air missiles use dual-pulse motors compared to European interceptors
)
China thinned Himalayan troop presence in 2025, India defence report says; terms border situation 'stable'
)
800 million years old - Scientists discover 'fingerprints' of supercontinent Gondwana in ancient rocks
)
Russia proposes to build 360 kmph Ivolga FG trains in India: What happened on sidelines of BRICS
)
Israeli minister calls to strip Gaza film directors of citizenship
)
China discovers vast gold and silver 'mine' in the Pacific with unheard-of deposits
)
Russian drone hits Warsaw-bound train near Polish border, Zelensky accuses Moscow of ‘deliberate’ targeting
)
War is making Russia stronger? How Ukraine is shaping Moscow’s next generation of weapons
)
Plane carrying prominent figure crashes at Libya’s Misrata airport: Report
)
NEET-UG to move to computer-based test soon, NTA DG says ‘CBT is the future’
)
Woman removes all her clothes on American Airlines flight, performs 'indecent acts'; arrested
)
Liam Neeson sparks romance rumours after holding hands with Stella Stocker at TIFF 2026
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New OTT releases this week (September 14-20, 2026): Lust Stories 3, Waiting Hai, Irumudi- 5 new titles coming on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Indian importers urge Bangladesh to lift export ban on 'Hilsa' fish ahead of Durga Puja
)
Video of Pakistani lawmaker struggling to read English tribute to Jinnah goes viral - WATCH
)
Did China give Iran intel before US base strike that killed 3 troops? Trump says, 'You’re right...'
)
Meghan Markle shares first glimpse of family life with Prince Harry and children in UK
)
Crude oil prices jump more than $107 per barrel following Houthi attacks on Saudi
)
PM Modi and China's Xi offered to help resolve Russia-Ukraine war: Kremlin
)
Women's Asia Cup 2026: India denied trophy once again despite winning the title
)
Humans may lose control of AI: Anthropic CEO calls for slowdown, Altman, Musk back him
UK PM Andy Burnham has put regional devolution of power and resources in England at the heart of his agenda, but policy towards the devolved administrations has been muddled.
Also Read: ‘Want to reset ties with India, have engagement based on mutual interests,’ says Bangladesh minister
The issue of Scottish independence and Irish reunification resurfaced last week when Burnham wrote to Swinney to reiterate that a repeat of 2014’s Scottish independence referendum remains “off limits” after apparently misspeaking during the prime minister’s questions.
Trump’s intervention prompted rebuttal from UK govt
US President Donald Trump also weighed in on a potential breakup of the UK during a visit to Ireland, saying he would love to see a united Ireland, and it “may as well happen now”. The unexpected intervention prompted a swift rebuttal from the UK government and the unionist power-sharing members of the Northern Ireland executive.
Plaid Cymru has ruled out an independence referendum in its first term, but Welsh ministers are seeking devolution of powers on a par with Scotland and Northern Ireland, which Burnham has said he is “open” to.
Latest polling suggests 47% of Scottish voters would opt for independence in a referendum if one were held tomorrow, along with 36% in Northern Ireland and 32% in Wales. Support for independence in Scotland has hovered between 45% and 50% since the 2014 referendum, while data suggest it is rising in Wales and Northern Ireland.
Also Read: Trump tells Ukraine to stop targeting Russian refineries, says attacks causing shortage of diesel
Sinn Féin’s McDonald said on Monday that she expects an Irish reunification poll to take place by 2030. The prime minister is expected to meet with the three first ministers next month.
A UK government spokesperson said, “The prime minister’s approach to working with the first and deputy first ministers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is based on partnership and collaboration.”
“The UK government is focused on addressing the issues that matter most to families, including easing pressures on household finances and delivering greater economic security, rather than engaging in constitutional debates or further referendums.”
What is Westminster?
Westminster refers to the UK Parliament and government based in London, which holds supreme legislative authority over the entire United Kingdom while sharing specific powers with devolved administrations.
For Ireland (specifically Northern Ireland), Scotland, and Wales, Westminster represents the central governing power that oversees UK-wide matters like defenxe and foreign policy, but which nationalist leaders from these nations have increasingly challenged regarding democratic self-determination.
