The first ministers of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will meet in Cardiff on Monday to discuss ways of “working more closely”, including on constitutional issues. It will be the first face-to-face meeting between the three nationalist leaders since Plaid Cymru’s Rhun ap Iorwerth took office in May. Ap Iorwerth will host the SNP’s leader John Swinney and Sinn Féin’s Michelle O’Neill on Monday morning. Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald will also attend.
He will hold further talks with Swinney in the afternoon with both men expected to sign an agreement on “future collaboration in areas of shared interest”. For the first time since devolution began Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, all have first ministers who want to leave the United Kingdom. A Plaid spokesperson said ap Iorwerth’s meeting with Swinney, O’Neill and McDonald was “an opportunity for the leaders of Plaid Cymru, the SNP and Sinn Féin to come together and talk about how we can work more closely on the issues that matter to people across our nations”. “Following the historic Senedd election in Wales and the changing political landscape across these islands, there is a strong case for practical political cooperation on areas including energy, the economy and our relationship with Europe, as well as on the wider political and constitutional questions facing our nations and on the right to self-determination,” they added.
Swinney believed their was “undeniable” momentum behind constitutional change. “Every nation across these islands is standing at a moment of incredible constitutional opportunity,” he said. “There is a growing consensus that the Westminster system simply is not fit for purpose and does not work for ordinary people. “Prime Minister Andy Burnham has accepted that himself – and the people of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have made it clear at the ballot box.” The meetings come days after the matter of Scottish independence resurfaced in the Commons.
During Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Andy Burnham appeared to indicate a second referendum could be held in Scotland if there was clear public support for a vote. He compared the situation to the conditions for a border poll in Northern Ireland explaining the Good Friday Agreement made clear a border poll would be “considered by the Northern Ireland Secretary when there is a clear consensus in the country, when public opinion has changed to the point where the call has to be considered”. “I would say that it is exactly the same situation in Scotland,” he added. The apparent softening in tone was welcomed by Swinney before Burnham clarified that another Scottish referendum remained “off limits”.
A referendum on Scottish independence in September 2014 saw the country vote to remain part of the UK by a margin of 55% to 45%. Ap Iorwerth was appointed the first non-Labour first minister of Wales after May’s Senedd election. Whilst he has ruled out pushing for a referendum on Welsh independence during his party’s first term in government, he has said he wants to lead a “national conversation” about the issue. His government intends to set up a national commission to “lay the foundations” for future plans for Welsh independence.
In the meantime, Welsh ministers are also asking for extra powers to be transferred to Wales, including over policing and youth justice. Burnham has said he is “open” to the idea. In Northern Ireland, the first and deputy first minister have identical powers and responsibilities and the DUP’s Emma Little-Pengelly is the deputy first minister. Little-Pengelly of unionist party the DUP criticised O’Neill for attending.
Monday’s talks are likely to cover the way the devolved nations are funded by the UK government. Welsh ministers have long called for the Barnett funding formula to be reformed, claiming it disadvantages Wales. However, it is argued Scotland does well from the formula. Before he became prime minister Burnham made the case for change, but on his recent visit to Wales he played down the prospect of reform.
The devolved leaders will meet the prime minister next month. The UK government said: “The prime minister is committed to delivering change across all four nations of the United Kingdom and believes strongly in the union.” Welsh Conservatives leader Darren Millar said: “Instead of obsessing about independence, the first minister should be focused on dealing with the crisis engulfing the Welsh NHS and the declining standards in Welsh schools.” Reform UK Wales said: “Plaid Cymru is showing its true colours by meeting with Sinn Féin and the Scottish separatists.” Mum died from aggressive cancer after nine-month wait for test results ‘Bring it on’ – Cardiff businesses react to Fury vs Joshua rumours Shocked walker finds SUV blocking route on Wales Coast Path
