Leaders of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland Sign Pact for Self Determination
7 sources across 6 countries
Who reported this
- CNN
- Associated Press
- La Tercera
- South China Morning Post
- Tempo English
- Novaya Gazeta Europe
- El Pais
What the colours mean
- Left
- Centre-left
- Centre
- Centre-right
- Right
- A hatched block means the outlet is affiliated with, or controlled by, a state.
Political lean describes where an outlet sits within the politics of its own country. It is never a position on a single global scale.
Political lean is comparable inside one country and not across them, which is why the bar groups by country first. Publicly funded broadcasters are not marked as state-linked.
The owner of each outlet is listed as a matter of record, not as a judgement about the outlet.
The first ministers of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday, September 14, 2026, in Cardiff, declaring their right to self determination and calling for the British government to prepare for constitutional change. The agreement was signed by Scottish First Minister John Swinney, Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth, and Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill, along with Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald. The leaders stated that Westminster's time is coming to an end and that their nations deserve a stronger voice in determining their own futures. While the pact emphasizes a shared goal of autonomy and a future within the European Union, the signatories acknowledged that each nation will determine its own path and timing. For instance, Plaid Cymru has ruled out a referendum until 2030, while John Swinney has called for an independence referendum during the current Scottish Parliament term.
The memorandum was signed by the leaders in their capacity as representatives of their political parties, rather than as government officials. Legal experts noted that the document is politically significant but lacks legal power to force the UK government to grant referendums or new authorities. This development follows a visit to Ireland by US President Donald Trump, who stated that a unified Ireland would be fantastic. This remark drew criticism from the UK government and unionist leaders, including Gavin Robinson of the DUP and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham had previously stated that a referendum on Northern Ireland's independence was off the table.
How each side framed it
- Centre-left
- These outlets focused on the historical nature of the pact and the specific calls for self determination and EU membership.
- Centre
- This outlet framed the event as a direct threat to the unity of the United Kingdom.
- Centre-right
- These outlets emphasized the threat to the unity of the United Kingdom and questioned the feasibility of the independence movements.
Sources
- Centre Associated Press: United Kingdom’s unity threatened by pact between Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland - AP News
- Centre-left CNN: Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland back self-determination
- Centre-left El Pais: Independence in the United Kingdom: a shared rejection of London, but different rhythms in their eagerness to separate
- Centre-right La Tercera: Is the end of the United Kingdom approaching?: Why Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland want independence and how feasible it is
- Centre-left Novaya Gazeta Europe: Leaders of Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales signed memorandum on right to self determination
- Centre-right South China Morning Post: UK’s unity threatened by pact between Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
- Centre-left Tempo English: Trump's Ireland Remark Draws Flak as UK Unity under Threat
100% of the statements in this article were traced back to the source articles listed above.