Leaders of Scotland and Northern Ireland call for independence referendums

The First Ministers of the devolved governments of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland met today in Cardiff, the Welsh capital, and signed a memorandum of understanding calling on the UK government to prepare for constitutional change and stating that the UK government has no right to "block democracy." At a joint press conference after the meeting, John Swinney, First Minister of Scotland and leader of the Scottish National Party, demanded that a Scottish independence referendum be held within the next five years. Michelle O'Neill, First Minister of Northern Ireland and a member of Sinn Fin, called on the British and Irish governments to set a date before 2030 for a "border poll" equivalent to a referendum on Irish unification. Rhun ap Iorwerth, First Minister of Wales and leader of Plaid Cymru, said that no timetable would currently be set for a Welsh independence referendum. Scottish First Minister Swinney also pointed out that UK Prime Minister Burnham's political position on "devolution" means that he should support the right to self-determination of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This was the first face-to-face meeting among the three First Ministers since ap Iorwerth took office as First Minister of Wales in May this year. Sinn Fin leader Mary Lou McDonald also attended the meeting. Currently, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are for the first time simultaneously led by First Ministers who "want to leave the UK." Burnham is expected to meet the leaders of the Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish devolved governments next month. The UK government said: "Burnham is committed to delivering change for all four parts of the UK and firmly supports the Union."