LONDON, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Leaders of nationalist parties in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland signed an agreement in Cardiff on Monday, calling for greater cooperation and urging the British government to prepare for possible constitutional change.
Scottish National Party leader (SNP) and Scottish First Minister John Swinney, Plaid Cymru leader and Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth, and Northern Ireland First Minister and Sinn Fein Vice President Michelle O'Neill attended the meeting alongside Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald. They met in their capacities as party leaders rather than representatives of their respective governments.
The memorandum said Scotland, Wales and Ireland have distinct political and constitutional circumstances, while maintaining that people in each should be able to decide their own future through democratic means.
It called on the British government to "prepare for, plan and facilitate constitutional change" in each jurisdiction, while acknowledging that the three parties have different constitutional aims and timetables.
The SNP supports an independent Scotland, Plaid Cymru advocates Welsh independence, while Sinn Fein seeks the reunification of Northern Ireland with the Republic of Ireland.
The three parties also agreed to strengthen cooperation on economy, renewable energy and the relations with Europe. The memorandum said Brexit has harmed economic opportunities and argued that the future of the nations represented by the parties lies within the European Union.
The agreement came about four months after elections to the Scottish Parliament and the Senedd in Wales reshaped the political landscape in the two devolved nations. This meant that, for the first time, all three of devolved administrations in the country were headed by first ministers from nationalist or pro-independence parties.
Responding to the Cardiff meeting, a spokesperson for British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the prime minister strongly believes in the union and remains focused on easing pressure on household finances and improving economic security, rather than holding further constitutional debates or referendums. ■