UK Breakup Plan? Scotland, Wales And Northern Ireland Leaders To Meet In Cardiff

The leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are set to meet in Cardiff on Monday to discuss demands for the right to hold independence referendums, in a move that could intensify pressure on British Prime Minister Andy Burnham over the future of the United Kingdom.

Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney, Welsh leader Rhun ap Iorwerth and Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill are expected to sign a joint declaration or memorandum of understanding calling for the right of their nations to decide their constitutional futures through referendums. It will be an unprecedented meeting, with all three devolved administrations now led by parties that support independence or separation from the UK.

The summit comes days after Burnham appeared to soften his position on a second Scottish independence referendum in Parliament. During Prime Minister’s Questions on September 9, he said the same principle used for a potential Northern Ireland border poll could apply to Scotland if there was a clear shift in public opinion.

Swinney quickly seized on the comments and asked Burnham to establish a legal mechanism for holding another referendum. The Scottish leader argued that Scotland should have the same democratic route to decide its future as Northern Ireland has under the Good Friday Agreement.

However, Burnham subsequently sought to clarify his position. In a letter to Swinney, he said Labour’s 2024 manifesto was clear that the party does not support independence or another referendum. He also said independence and a referendum remained “off limits” while he was prime minister, arguing that the government should focus on economic growth and the cost of living.

Swinney has nevertheless continued his campaign. Ahead of Monday’s summit, he said Burnham could go down in history as the final prime minister of the United Kingdom, arguing that the political momentum behind constitutional change is growing.

The Cardiff meeting is therefore expected to put renewed pressure on Westminster, while highlighting the increasingly coordinated demands from pro-independence forces in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The developments also come amid renewed debate over Irish unity, after US President Donald Trump voiced support for a united Ireland. Burnham’s office has stressed that the UK government’s position on Irish reunification has not changed.