President Donald Trump voiced his support for Irish unification during a visit to Dublin, shortly after UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham dismissed potential referendums in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Following Trump’s remarks, leaders from Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland urged the British government to prepare for constitutional changes that could lead to the dissolution of the United Kingdom.
“Westminster’s time is coming to an end,” stated Scottish First Minister John Swinney, Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth, and Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill in a joint declaration during their historic meeting in Cardiff.
The nationalist leaders aimed to strengthen cooperation among the three regions to push for constitutional change.
“It just seems to me that you have Northern Ireland and you have Ireland, and it would seem to me that one of the naturals of all time is to put them together,” Trump said in Doonbeg.
The memorandum of understanding (MOU) released by the leaders outlines their intent to drive constitutional change. They assert that no Westminster government has the right to obstruct democratic decisions made by Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland.
“Each of our nations has the right to determine its own future, through democratic means and in accordance with the wishes of its people,” the leaders declared.
This MOU marks an extraordinary challenge to Prime Minister Andy Burnham and the U.K.’s constitutional arrangements.
Notably, Sinn Féin, along with the SNP and Plaid Cymru, emphasized their “common cause” arguing that “Westminster does not and will never serve our people well.”
Michelle O’Neill expressed during a press conference that Burnham wouldn’t be able to “hold back the tide” of nationalism.
“We’re certainly living in times of enormous change, change that is unstoppable,” she added. “Our common cause here is the understanding that Westminster does not and will never serve our people well.”
The memorandum commits the parties to cooperate on various fronts, including economic policy, renewable energy, and rebuilding ties with the European Union.
Prime Minister Burnham, however, remains committed to maintaining the Union, asserting that the United Kingdom thrives when united around shared values and common problem-solving.
A spokesperson stated that Burnham believes in delivering change across all four UK nations, focusing on economic security rather than constitutional debates.