First ministers of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to meet in Cardiff
The first ministers of Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland are meeting in Cardiff to discuss closer cooperation on constitutional and economic issues. This marks a significant moment as all three leaders represent parties that advocate for independence from the United Kingdom.
Why it matters
The meeting underscores growing political momentum for constitutional change and potential fragmentation within the United Kingdom's devolved nations.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Rhun ap Iorwerth (left), Michelle O'Neill and John Swinney will discuss how they can work "more closely"
Wales political correspondent Published 13 September 2026, 21:58 BST Updated 25 minutes ago 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".
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