The leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland’s main pro-independence parties have formed a new alliance and are jointly calling for constitutional change across the United Kingdom.
In a memorandum signed this week, SNP leader John Swinney, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth, and Sinn Féin vice president Michelle O’Neill pledged to work more closely together. For the first time, all three nations are led by First Ministers who support independence.
“For people watching across these islands – for people watching around the world – there could be no clearer sign that Westminster’s time is coming to an end,” the agreement states.
The document sets out three shared priorities: building stronger economies, expanding renewable energy, and restoring closer ties with Europe.
The parties argue that Westminster’s economic model has failed their nations and that local control of energy resources could lower bills for families and businesses. On Europe, they said Brexit had damaged trade and opportunities.
“Europe is our common home, and we believe the future of our nations belongs in the European Union,” the memorandum reads.
The leaders also directly called on the UK Government to “prepare, plan and facilitate constitutional change in each jurisdiction.”
While the three parties represent different constitutional positions, they said what unites them is the right of people in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to decide their own futures.
They stressed there will be no single path. “Each of our nations will determine its future in its own way and in its own time,” the agreement says.
The new alliance marks the first formal cooperation between the SNP, Plaid Cymru and Sinn Féin.
The memorandum concludes:l, stating that,“What unites us is a determination to ensure that the voices of our nations are heard, that our people have the opportunity to thrive, and that cooperation between Scotland, Wales and Ireland can be strengthened.”
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