Picture credit: The Scottish Government on Flickr
The leaders of the devolved nations in the UK have signed a joint memorandum calling for a timetable to start proceedings which would allow the three countries to officially leave the union.
With Plaid Cymru (PC) winning the Welsh Senedd in May and the SNP becoming the largest party in the Scottish Parliament again, all of the countries are led by first ministers who want independence. Sinn Fein (SF) are currently in power in Northern Ireland.
Yesterday, leaders from all three parties met up in Cardiff/Caerdydd, the capital of Wales/Cymru to come up with an agreement that Westminster does not have the right to prevent an independence referendum being held. Due to this Labour and Reform have came out and said that they believe PC want to try and split up the United Kingdom.
Rhun ap lorwerth stated “Their countries should decide their own future” and later said that Andy Burnham would “Be the last prime minister in”
Despite SF and the SNP wanting the ability to hold referendums, the Welsh First Minister Rhun ap lorwerth has refused to deliver on a date for Wales/Cymru.
PC have stated that they have no plans for an independence referendum until the next Senedd election which will take place in 2030.
In Prime Minister’s Questions last week, Andy Burnham said he would “100% stick” with the Good Friday agreement to allow a referendum on the future of Northern Ireland’s relationship with the UK.
Responding to a question from SNP MP, Chris Law on whether Scotland should be afforded the same right, Mr. Burnham said: “I would also remind him on that question of a border poll: it is to be considered by the Northern Ireland Secretary when there is a clear consensus in the country, when public opinion has changed to the point where the call has to be considered.”
“I would say exactly the same situation in Scotland. I am not aware that there is a majority of public support for another referendum, and until that changes, Mr Speaker, there won’t be one.”
This was seen as a potential insight into what the new Labour leader’s thoughts are around the issue. However, later that day, a spokesperson for No. 10 Downing Street said these remain “off limits”.
At the weekend, Donald Trump expressed support for the reunification of Ireland. See what he had to say to reporters in the video below. He refrained from giving his views on the future of Scotland though.
