Leaders at Celtic summit to affirm right to seek independence from UK

Leaders from Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland are set to formally reaffirm their regions’ right to pursue constitutional change, marking a potential challenge to the UK government’s approach to devolution. At a key summit in Cardiff, representatives from Plaid Cymru, the Scottish National Party, and Sinn Féin are expected to adopt a joint declaration urging Westminster to actively support and prepare for potential independence processes in their respective nations. The move underscores growing political momentum toward constitutional reform, raising questions about the future of the UK’s territorial structure. The announcement comes as the UK government navigates its own devolution strategy under the leadership of Labour’s Andy Burnham.

Call for constitutional change in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales likely to challenge Burnham’s devolution agendaThe first ministers of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are to affirm their countries’ right to seek independence from the UK at a summit that is likely to challenge Andy Burnham’s devolution agenda.The Plaid Cymru leader, Rhun ap Iorwerth, the Scottish National party leader, John Swinney, and the Sinn Féin vice-president, Michelle O’Neill, are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding at a landmark conference in Cardiff on Monday that will call on Westminster “to prepare, plan and facilitate constitutional change in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland”. Continue reading...