The leaders of Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland are preparing to challenge the British government's devolution framework by jointly affirming their right to pursue independence at a summit in Cardiff this week.
Rhun ap Iorwerth of Plaid Cymru, John Swinney of the Scottish National Party, and Michelle O'Neill, vice-president of Sinn Féin, plan to sign a memorandum of understanding on Monday. The document calls on Westminster to "prepare, plan and facilitate constitutional change in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland."
This coordinated action represents a significant departure from previous independence movements. Rather than operating as isolated campaigns, the three nations are signaling unified political will around constitutional reform. The timing carries weight given recent shifts in UK governance. Andy Burnham, who oversees devolution policy as part of the Labour government's agenda, has championed a different vision focused on expanding devolved powers within the existing Union framework.
The summit directly contradicts that approach. By demanding Westminster acknowledge and facilitate independence pathways, these leaders assert that devolution alone does not satisfy their constituents' ambitions for self-determination.
Swinney leads Scotland, where independence sentiment remains at historic levels following the 2014 referendum that narrowly rejected separation. The SNP has made independence central to its political identity, though recent electoral performance has weakened its dominance. His participation underscores Scotland's continued commitment to the independence question despite political headwinds.
Ap Iorwerth brings Plaid Cymru's long-standing separatist platform to the table. While Welsh independence commands less mainstream political support than Scotland's movement, Plaid has steadily built the case for Welsh self-governance. The Cardiff location itself carries symbolic weight, positioning Wales as an equal actor rather than a secondary player in constitutional discussions.
O'Neill's presence adds complexity. Sinn Féin operates across the Irish border, with the party holding seats in both the Irish parliament and the Northern Ireland Assembly. Her participation signals that Irish reunification connects to broader conversations about UK constitutional futures. For Sinn Féin, independence from the UK takes on specific meaning tied to Irish unification rather than standalone Northern Irish statehood.
The memorandum's language matters. By asking Westminster to "prepare, plan and facilitate" constitutional change, these leaders avoid demanding immediate referendums but establish a formal political position that London cannot ignore. This softer rhetoric may reflect political reality. None of these nations currently possesses the votes or demographic support to guarantee successful independence. Building momentum through joint declarations creates pressure while remaining tactically flexible.
Burnham's devolution agenda faces direct opposition here. The Labour government moved quickly after the 2024 election to devolve power to regional mayors and councils in England. Burnham has framed devolution as the means to satisfy demand for self-governance without breaking the Union. The Celtic summit rejects that premise, arguing that devolution represents incomplete self-determination.
This creates governing headaches for Labour. The government depends on cooperation from devolved administrations to implement UK-wide policies. Public conflict over constitutional futures complicates that working relationship. The Labour party holds power in Wales through first minister Vaughan Gething but faces an SNP government in Scotland and shared power in Northern Ireland with unionist parties.
The summit demonstrates that constitutional questions remain live across the UK. While these movements face genuine obstacles to successful independence, their leaders signal that the conversation is far from resolved.