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Irish, Scottish, Welsh Leaders to Sign Self-Determination Pact in Cardiff
The leaders also pledged cooperation on the economy, energy and Europe as support for independence grows after recent elections, the agreement said.
- On Monday, September 14, 2026, Scottish First Minister John Swinney, Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth, and Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill met in Cardiff and signed a memorandum of understanding calling on Westminster to prepare, plan and facilitate constitutional change.
- Following May 2026 elections, nationalist-led administrations now govern Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland for the first time, marking an unprecedented political shift that prompted this summit among the three leaders.
- The memorandum covers economy, energy, international cooperation, and self-determination, with the leaders committing to "strengthening cooperation between our parties and identifying practical areas where working together can make a real difference."
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham reiterated that independence referendums remain "off limits," while Northern Ireland's deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly accused O'Neill of attempting to "weaponise the role of First Minister" without executive authorization.
- While the leaders share ambitions for EU membership, they face diverging legal paths; Northern Ireland holds a statutory border poll mechanism under the Good Friday Agreement, whereas Scotland and Wales lack equivalent unilateral referenda pathways.
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They also call for independence referendums.
The leaders of the ruling parties in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales defended the right of their peoples to self-determination in Cardiff. In a memorandum of understanding they signed, they stated that the government in London had no right to obstruct democracy.
·Ljubljana, Slovenia
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In a joint communiqué, Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland's independent leaders claim their "right to self-determination".
·Paris, France
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Meeting in Cardiff at an unprecedented summit, the leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland called with one voice for their right to self-determination and a return to the European Union....
Coverage Details
Total News Sources413
Leaning Left50Leaning Right65Center35Last UpdatedBias Distribution44% Right
Bias Distribution
- 44% of the sources lean Right
44% Right
L 33%
C 23%
R 44%
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