Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales Sign Pact to Push for Independence Referendums | WPN World People News

Leaders of three UK devolved nations—Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales—issued a rare joint memorandum on the 14th declaring that the "Westminster era is coming to an end." They demanded the UK government prepare for constitutional reform, underscoring that their future lies within the European Union. Representing pro-independence or reunification parties (such as the SNP and Sinn Féin), the trio's initiative is viewed as a direct challenge to the central government in London. The First Ministers of Scotland and Northern Ireland further called for referendums on independence or Irish unity. The development was also influenced by former US President Donald Trump's remarks expressing support for Irish reunification.

In response, British Prime Minister Burnham's administration deliberately played down the threat, asserting that the priority remains tackling the cost-of-living crisis rather than engaging in constitutional disputes. Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister, Emma Little-Pengelly, criticized the move, arguing it weaponizes devolved ministerial offices.

According to foreign media reports, University of Glasgow academic Nicola McEwen analyzed that while the summit carries no legal effect and will not fracture the United Kingdom in the short term, it marks the onset of regularized trilateral cooperation, increasing leverage against London. Support for Scottish independence has persisted following Brexit; although Burnham maintains that referendums are off the table, the leaders of the three nations are attempting to seize London's push for further devolution to carve out greater political space for self-governance and independence.