Memorandum on independence signed by SF, SNP and Plaid Cymru leaders 

The leaders declared that “Westminster’s time is coming to an end” in a joint agreement aimed at putting pressure on Downing Street to hold referendums on independence.

First Minister Michelle O'Neill (left) and Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald attended a meeting in Wales today where a memorandum of understanding was signed by the first ministers of Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland aimed at putting pressure on Downing Street to hold referendums on independence. File photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

The leaders of the SNP, Plaid Cymru and Sinn Féin have declared that “Westminster’s time is coming to an end” in a joint agreement aimed at putting pressure on Downing Street to hold referendums on independence.

The first ministers of the UK’s three devolved nations – SNP leader John Swinney, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth and Sinn Féin vice president Michelle O’Neill – signed the memorandum of understanding during a meeting in Cardiff on Monday morning.

Along with Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald, the leaders called on the British Government to “prepare for, plan and facilitate constitutional change”.

The group, who met in their capacity as party leaders – rather than as officials in their respective governments, also stated their ambitions for partnership around the economy, energy and international co-operation.

Wording of agreement 

The agreement says: “The political landscape across these islands is changing.

“For the first time ever, people across these islands have first ministers in Scotland, in Wales and in the North of Ireland who are all committed to independence from the United Kingdom.

For people watching across these islands – for people watching around the world – there could be no clearer sign that Westminster’s time is coming to an end.

“We believe there is a better way: nations working together as equals, sharing ideas and expertise, and building relationships based on mutual respect and common interests.

“Momentum is behind our movements; we believe that constitutional change is coming.

“We therefore commit to strengthening cooperation between our parties and identifying practical areas where working together can make a real difference.”

The agreement sets out plans to “reject Whitehall’s broken economic model” and share ideas on economic growth, expand energy resources, and states that “the future of our nations belongs in the European Union”.

The leaders add: “Our nations have the right to self-determination. No Westminster government has the right to block democracy or undermine the principle that our people will decide their own future.

“We recognise that our parties have different constitutional positions and that each nation will determine its own future in its own way and in its own time.

“We call for the British Government to prepare for, plan and facilitate constitutional change in each jurisdiction.”

Mary Lou McDonald on Sinn Féin's collaboration 

Earlier, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald rejected the idea that her party's collaboration with Welsh and Scottish colleagues is contrary to the running of Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland's deputy first minister Emma Little Pengelly said that Ms O’Neill had “not sought any agreement or permission from me to travel, attend or sign anything as first minister” and accused the Sinn Féin vice president of attempting to “weaponise the role of first minister”.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio this morning, Ms McDonald rejected that accusation.

"This memorandum of understanding is a high-level political accord between our respective political parties. 

"At the heart of it is, of course, an absolute assertion of fact that it is for the people of Wales to decide the future of Wales, for the people of Scotland to decide the future of Scotland, and for the people of Ireland without interference or coercion to decide our future. That's at the core of it.

"The memorandum also recognises the many, many areas where we believe that we can collaborate and work together and share ideas in the best interest of our respective people. 

"We recognise that each of the stories — the story of Scotland, of Wales, of Ireland — have that core reality of self-determination in common, but of course each of us moves to our own pace and in our own rhythm and in accordance with, as they say, events on the ground."

Ms McDonald said the meeting is "a very significant day" and that for "anybody who hasn't noticed or hasn't taken notice, the British union is under challenge like never ever before".

"We live in very historic times, and for Ireland, all of this is consequential and goes to my point again, that leadership, political leadership, community leadership, business leadership in Ireland now needs to pay attention to what's actually happening, and anybody with their head buried in the sand needs to emerge from that state and look at the political horizon."

Ms McDonald said she wants UK prime minister Andy Burnham to see the meeting as evidence that a referendum on Irish unity is inevitable. Mr Burnham last month said a border poll was "off the table".

"This is an MOU between Sinn Féin, the SNP, and Plaid Cymru. It's between three political parties that have produced and provided the first ministers in Wales, in Scotland, and in the north, and of course that's a very historic moment.

"We're here to create common cause with our Celtic brothers and sisters in Wales and in Scotland, and we're here as Sinn Féin.

"We're here to talk about Ireland, to talk about the question of our referendums, Irish unity, and our right to self-determination. 

"And I hope that the prime minister Andy Burnham will hear that message loud and clear, and understand that far from referendums being off the table, there is now a need for Dublin and London to engage actively, and for that preparatory work to commence."

Ms McDonald said she hopes that comments from US president Donald Trump over the weekend in which he said that he would "love" to see a United Ireland, would prompt the beginning of a conversation from the Government.