Nationalist Parties in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland Declare Right to Decide Independence Leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland nationalist parties met in Cardiff to assert their nations' right to self‑determination and sign a memorandum that stresses a future independent status outside the United Kingdom. The agreement comes after U.S. President Trump hinted at supporting a united Ireland and following a prompt debate over the Good Friday Agreement. On Monday September 14, 2026, the Scottish National Party, Plaid Cymru and Sinn Fein leaders gathered in Cardiff to sign a memorandum of understanding that affirms the right of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to decide their own future. The document declares that no Westminster government can block democracy or the principle that peoples will choose whether to remain in the United Kingdom. The meeting took place just days after U.S. President Donald Trump announced he would back a united Ireland. Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill said the statement underlined that the debate over unity is still very much alive.The signatories were the first ministers of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as Sinn Fein's leaders who also hold cabinet positions. John Swinney, the SNP leader, added that the parties were united by the principle of self‑determination. He highlighted that the agreement marks the first time leaders from these islands share a commitment to independence from the United Kingdom. The memorandum stresses that a future EU membership is seen as the desired direction for these nations.The three parties are currently the largest parties in the devolved legislatures. The SNP holds the most seats in Scotland, Plaid Cymru the most in Wales and Sinn Fein the most in the Northern Ireland Assembly, where they have led the government since 2022. This brings unprecedented solidarity among the nationalist movements on the islands. While the parties are aligned on the goal of breaking away from the United Kingdom, they differ on timing and methods.The SNP wants a second independence referendum after the 2014 vote that saw Scotland narrowly stay in Britain. Plaid Cymru aims for Welsh independence over the long term but has said it will not push for a referendum right away. Sinn Fein insists on a vote to reunify Ireland within the next decade, building on the Good Friday Agreement's provision for a referendum if a majority is likely to favour joining the Republic.The meeting also addressed the reaction to Prime Minister Andy Burnham's earlier comments that a referendum on Irish unity was "off the table." Sinn Fein's Mary Lou McDonald rejected the claim, stating the prime minister has no authority to remove provisions of the Good Friday Agreement. Burnham later reversed his position, clarifying that a referendum was not off limits. The discussion reflected a broader shift toward greater nationalist cooperation across the British Isles, signalling that the influence of Westminster may be waning.The memorandum emphasises that the future of the islands belongs in the European Union, positioning the agreement as a catalyst for future political negotiations. It also underscores that the parties are prepared to work together to overcome obstacles to independence, whether through petitions for a referendum or through diplomatic engagement with the United Kingdom and the European Union. The meeting's outcome could prompt a reassessment of devolution arrangements and the constitutional status of the United Kingdom.Political analysts predict that increased nationalist coordination may pressure the UK government to rethink its approach to the four constituent nations and could lead to renewed campaigns for independence in the coming electoral cycles.