Scottish, Northern Irish, Welsh leaders assert right to ‘self-determination’
Leaders of the SNP, Plaid Cymru, and Sinn Féin have signed a joint agreement asserting their nations' right to self-determination and independence from the United Kingdom. The parties also expressed a collective desire for their nations to be part of the European Union.
Why it matters
This unprecedented coalition of nationalist leaders signals a coordinated effort to challenge the constitutional status quo of the United Kingdom.
The leaders of the main Scottish, Northern Irish and Welsh parties on Monday (September 14, 2026) declared their right to "self determination" in a joint agreement signed at a rare meeting in the Welsh capital Cardiff.
"Our nations have the right to self-determination. No Westminster government has the right to block democracy or undermine the principle that our people will decide their own future," they said, referring to the U.K.-wide parliament in London.
All three parties - the Scottish National Party (SNP), Plaid Cymru in Wales and the pro-Irish unity Sinn Fein in Northern Ireland - want to break away from the U.K. but have different positions on how and when this might take place.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in