The heads of government of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland met on September 14, 2026 in Cardiff to sign a historic memorandum of understanding demanding regional referendums on independence from the United Kingdom. This meeting, informally called the "Celtic Alliance," brought together John Swinney (First Minister of Scotland for the SNP), Rhun ap Iorwerth (First Minister of Wales for Plaid Cymru) and Michelle O'Neill (First Minister of Northern Ireland for Sinn Féin). It is the first time in modern history that the three nations attempt to do this together, representing an unprecedented attack on the political structure of the United Kingdom whose current configuration dates from 1922. The leaders met as party leaders and not as prime ministers of their nations to avoid an institutional confrontation with London.
The initiative is a direct consequence of Brexit: approximately 62% of Scots and almost 56% of Northern Irish voted to remain in the European Union, while in Wales the yes to leaving won with 52%. Scotland had already held a referendum on independence in 2014, where "no" won with 55.3%, and the then First Minister Nicola Sturgeon declared that a new referendum was "highly likely" after Brexit, but it did not happen due to legal limitations. According to the Scotland Act 1998, the Scottish Parliament does not have the power to call a referendum without authorization from the United Kingdom government, and the same applies to the parliaments of Wales and Northern Ireland. The "Celtic Alliance" immediately raised the possibility of jointly requesting accession to the European Union, which would be considered a return to the EU.
The leaders issued a joint statement stating that "nations have the right to self-determination" and that "the future of our nations lies in the European Union," considering that Brexit "harmed" their territories. Prime Minister Andy Burnham, through his spokesperson, rejected the demands, stating that he "firmly believes in the union of the United Kingdom" and will continue to "ease pressures on family finances" rather than engage in "constitutional debates." King Charles III did not issue any public statement on the matter, remaining neutral on partisan political affairs.
U.S. President Donald Trump also commented on the situation during a visit to Dublin on Saturday, stating that he would "love" to see a united Ireland and that "it will happen eventually." Michelle O'Neill considered that Trump's statements demonstrate that "the debate about reunification is very much alive" and that it now matters "on an international scale." The year 1707 marks the birth of the modern joint state with the union of England and Scotland, in 1801 Ireland joined, and in 1922, after the Irish War of Independence, most of the island separated from London, leaving the six northern counties that remain in the United Kingdom to this day.
