The leaders of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have signed a memorandum of understanding outlining their withdrawal from the United Kingdom.
Scottish First Minister John Swinney, Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth, Northern Irish First Minister Michelle O’Neill, and Mary Lou McDonald, leader of Sinn Féin—the largest group in the Irish Parliament—held a joint press conference in Cardiff, the capital of Wales. The leaders signed a memorandum of understanding pledging to work together to build a “stronger, fairer economy,” expand “our own energy resources,” and ensure that their countries’ future lies “within the European Union.”
Welsh Regional First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth stated that the UK government no longer works for the benefit of the entire United Kingdom, saying, “Wales needs to have certain powers and be treated equally. We deserve this, and that is why we are working together with our neighbors.”
In his statement, Scottish Regional First Minister John Swinney referred to the May elections—in which his party emerged as the largest in the Scottish Parliament—saying, “This election created a different situation in the United Kingdom. We represent a significant milestone in the United Kingdom’s constitutional journey. The right to self-determination is at the heart of the agreement we signed,” he said.
McDonald, an Irish nationalist and leader of Sinn Féin—the largest group in the Irish Parliament—said, “The memorandum of understanding we signed is a historic document. Our country is divided in two. We have the right to a referendum. We have the right to determine our own future. We will not tolerate any British prime minister claiming that this right is off the table.”
In her remarks, Northern Ireland Regional First Minister Michelle O’Neill emphasized that they are living through a time of great change, stating, “No British Prime Minister can stop what is happening. We need the right to determine our own destiny.”
