Scotland, Wales, N. Ireland Leaders Unite in Independence Push

(MENAFN) The devolved leaders of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland put their names to a historic joint declaration on Monday, calling on London to begin laying the groundwork for sweeping constitutional change.

John Swinney, Scotland's first minister and head of the Scottish National Party (SNP), joined Rhun ap Iorwerth, Wales' first minister and Plaid Cymru leader, and Michelle O'Neill, Northern Ireland's first minister and vice-president of Sinn Fein, in signing the pact. Together, the three declared that the political climate "is changing."

The trio argued that the "future of our nations belongs in European Union," pointing to an unprecedented moment: for the first time, all three nations are now led by first ministers "who are all committed to independence from the UK."

Central to the declaration is a direct assertion of sovereignty. "Our nations have the right to self-determination," the document states.

The signatories went further, issuing a pointed demand to Westminster: "We call for the British Government to prepare for, plan and facilitate constitutional change in each jurisdiction."

The declaration marks a rare moment of coordinated political alignment across the three nations, signaling mounting pressure on the UK government to confront questions of devolution and independence head-on.

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