The leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are set to meet on Monday to discuss plans for the breakup of the United Kingdom, with The Telegraph reporting that they are expected to sign a joint declaration demanding the right to hold independence referendums.
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney, Wales’ Rhun ap Iowerth and Northern Ireland’s Michelle O’Neill are expected to attend the summit. For the first time, all three constituent nations are led by parties supporting separation from the UK.
The meeting is reportedly aimed at increasing pressure on Prime Minister Andy Burnham after he said in Parliament that he would support another Scottish independence referendum if public opinion backed it.
A source close to Swinney told The Telegraph that Burnham had “f¥cked up” with the comment, adding: “If I was a Unionist, I would be very worried.”
Swinney also said Burnham was “facing up to the idea that he will go down in history as the final prime minister of the United Kingdom,” arguing that the leadership of pro-independence parties in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland showed “the status quo is not sustainable.”
However, Burnham later clarified his position in a letter to Swinney, saying a referendum was off the table while he remained prime minister. He cited Labour’s 2024 manifesto, stating: “Labour does not support independence or another referendum.”
The Telegraph also reported that separatist movements have gained momentum amid US President Donald Trump’s increasingly critical stance towards Britain, including his reported support for Northern Ireland separating from the UK and joining Ireland.