The leaders of Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales will meet on Monday to discuss plans for the breakup of the United Kingdom, The Telegraph has reported.
The summit which could set the stage for Britain’s disintegration is expected to bring together Scottish First Minister John Swinney, Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iowerth and Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill.
At the summit, the leaders are expected to sign a joint declaration asserting the right of their respective nations to determine their constitutional futures, including the possibility of independence referendums.
They will also be joined by Mary Lou McDonald, president of Sinn Fein and leader of the opposition in the Republic of Ireland.
The meeting will take place at the St David’s Hotel overlooking Cardiff Bay, where the leaders are expected to discuss cooperation on the economy, energy, Europe, international relations and self-determination.
According to The Telegraph, the meeting comes as pro-independence parties now lead governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
In Scotland, the Scottish National Party (SNP) remains the dominant political force, while Plaid Cymru emerged as the largest party in the Welsh Senedd following May’s elections.
In Northern Ireland, Sinn Fein won the 2022 Stormont elections, with Michelle O’Neill eventually becoming First Minister in 2024 after a political deadlock and a walkout by the Democratic Unionist Party.
The developments have strengthened calls by nationalist and pro-independence leaders for a major constitutional overhaul of the United Kingdom.
Swinney said the political situation represents a clear indication that the existing arrangement between Westminster and the devolved nations is becoming unsustainable.
“For the first time ever, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are led by pro-independence first ministers. There could be no clearer sign that the status quo is not sustainable – and that Westminster must prepare for a post-UK future,” Swinney said.
He added: “The momentum behind serious constitutional change is undeniable. Andy Burnham must now be facing up to the idea that he will go down in history as the final prime minister of the United Kingdom.”
The planned agreement is expected to commit the three parties to cooperation in four broad areas, the economy, energy, Europe and international cooperation and self-determination.
The parties are also expected to support closer relations with the European Union, with Scotland and Wales potentially seeking membership as independent states and Northern Ireland joining the EU as part of a united Ireland.
The meeting comes days after US President Donald Trump said he would “love” to see a united Ireland.
During a visit to Dublin on Saturday, Trump reportedly described Northern Ireland joining the Republic of Ireland as “a great thing” and questioned how such a development could be negative.
The issue of Scottish independence has also returned to the political debate after Andy Burnham indicated that another independence referendum could be considered if there was a “clear consensus” in favour of one.
Swinney has criticised Burnham’s position, arguing that the comments could pave the way for a renewed independence campaign.
However, Burnham has since insisted that another Scottish independence referendum remains off the table before the next UK general election.
In a letter to Swinney on Thursday, Burnham said there was no consensus for an independence referendum in Scotland and no clear evidence that a majority of people in Northern Ireland currently wanted to leave the United Kingdom.
“The 2024 manifesto on which Labour secured its parliamentary majority was unambiguous: ‘Labour does not support independence or another referendum,’” Burnham wrote.
He added that independence and another referendum were “off limits” because they would distract from the government’s focus on economic growth and the cost of living.
The constitutional debate is also being driven by demands from Wales for greater control over its finances and other areas of governance.
Plaid Cymru is expected to use Monday’s meeting to push for increased powers over taxation and public spending, as well as greater control over areas including policing and rail funding.
The party is also demanding that revenues from the Crown Estate, including the seabed used for offshore wind farms, be devolved to Wales instead of being paid to the UK Treasury.
A Plaid Cymru source said the three parties had “a strong case for practical political cooperation” on energy, the economy, Europe and wider constitutional issues.
“Our parties have much to gain from working together, as partners and as equals, where we share common interests and where cooperation can improve the lives of the people we represent,” the source said.
Sinn Fein is expected to use the summit to advance its campaign for Irish reunification.
A party source said the leaders would discuss how each nation could determine its future through democratic means.
“The Good Friday Agreement gives us the democratic means to decide it, and now is the time to prepare seriously for that choice,” the source said.
“Irish unity is not a distant aspiration. The work of building the new Ireland must begin now.”
The proposed cooperation among the three devolved nations comes as tensions over the future of the United Kingdom continue to grow, with nationalist parties demanding greater autonomy and, ultimately, the right to determine whether their countries remain part of the Union.
The leaders are expected to hold a joint press conference after Monday’s meeting.
