42 mins ago
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland Parties Demand UK Exit
Three political parties from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have agreed to work more closely.
They want people in their nations to have a stronger say over their future.
The Scottish and Welsh parties support independence from the United Kingdom.
Sinn Féin supports Northern Ireland joining the Republic of Ireland.
The agreement does not immediately break up the United Kingdom.
It also does not announce a new vote.
The parties want fairer economies, more good jobs and cheaper energy from renewable sources.
They believe Brexit reduced opportunities for their communities.
They say Europe is their common home and want closer links with the European Union.
The Scottish National Party, Plaid Cymru and Sinn Féin issued a joint statement supporting greater self-determination for their nations.
The parties are pursuing different constitutional goals: Scottish and Welsh independence, and a united Ireland for Northern Ireland.
The statement does not itself dissolve the United Kingdom or announce a referendum.
The parties criticized Westminster’s economic model and called for fairer economies, renewable energy and reduced inequality.
They said Brexit harmed their economies and argued that Europe and the European Union should be central to their future.
- Who
- The Scottish National Party, Plaid Cymru and Sinn Féin.
- What
- They issued a joint statement supporting greater self-determination and closer cooperation while pursuing different constitutional goals.
- Where
- Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the wider United Kingdom.
- When
- The joint statement was reported in connection with a Cardiff gathering discussed on 13 September.
- Why
- The parties said their nations need greater political influence, economic opportunity, fairer wealth distribution and stronger European relationships.
Devolution and Independence Supporters
Unionist and Referendum Critics
Constitutional future
Devolution and Independence Supporters
The three parties say their nations deserve the right to determine their own futures, including independence or a united Ireland.
Unionist and Referendum Critics
The agreement does not itself change the United Kingdom, and Andy Burnham was reported as rejecting another Scottish referendum before the next general election.
Economic direction
Devolution and Independence Supporters
The parties reject what they call Whitehall’s broken economic model and advocate social justice, lower inequality and stronger local economies.
Unionist and Referendum Critics
The article reports criticism of the parties’ approach from opponents over the timing of constitutional change, but does not provide a detailed alternative economic program.
Relationship with Europe
Devolution and Independence Supporters
The parties say Brexit harmed their economies and want their nations’ futures to be connected to the European Union.
Unionist and Referendum Critics
The article does not state a distinct European policy from the opposing side.
Key facts
- Participating parties
- The Scottish National Party, Plaid Cymru and Sinn Féin
- Constitutional aims
- Scottish and Welsh independence, and a united Ireland
- Immediate effect
- The statement does not dissolve the United Kingdom or announce a referendum
- Economic proposals
- Fairer economies, good jobs, reduced inequality and wider distribution of wealth
- Energy policy
- Develop renewable resources so local energy wealth benefits local people
- European position
- The parties said Brexit damaged their economies and described Europe as their common home
- Reported political figures
- John Swinney, Rhun ap Iorwerth and Michelle O'Neill were named in connection with the Cardiff gathering
Quotes
Joint statement by the Scottish National Party, Plaid Cymru and Sinn Féin
A joint political statement issued by the three parties representing Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
“We share a belief that the nations and communities we represent deserve greater ambition, greater economic opportunity and a stronger voice in determining their own futures. The political landscape across these islands is changing”
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“We reject Whitehall's broken economic model and will instead build economies which deliver social justice and reduce inequality across our nations”
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Sources
Related news
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