Tuesday briefing: How to understand Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland’s joint call for change
Leaders from Plaid Cymru (Wales), the Scottish National Party (Scotland), and Sinn Féin (Northern Ireland), along with Ireland's opposition leader, signed a memorandum of understanding in Cardiff. This agreement calls on Westminster to "prepare, plan and facilitate constitutional change" in their respective nations, affirming their right to seek independence. The move follows the simultaneous rise of center-left nationalist parties to government in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland since May. The leaders stated that no Westminster government has the right to "block democracy" by refusing a referendum if the public demands it. While Scotland and Northern Ireland leaders called for immediate referendums, Plaid Cymru declined to provide a timeline. The agreement also outlines shared priorities like child poverty and economic growth.