LONDON: Elected representatives of three devolved UK legislatures – Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales – signed a historic pact on Monday, declaring their intent to break free of Westminster’s control.Also Read | Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales sign MoU to break away from UK“The political landscape across these islands is changing. For the first time ever, there are 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 around the world, there could be no clearer sign that Westminster’s time is coming to an end,” states the MoU.Scottish first minister John Swinney, his Welsh counterpart Rhun ap Iorwerth and Northern Ireland’s Michelle O’Neill signed the MoU at a summit in Cardiff. Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald, leader of the opposition in Ireland, was the fourth signatory.“Our nations have the right to self-determination: No Westminster govt has the right to block democracy or undermine the principle that our people will decide their own future,” says the MoU.Plaid Cymru’s victory at the Senedd (Welsh parliament) elections in May ended Labour’s unbroken control of the Welsh govt since devolution began in 1999. It meant that the largest parties in all three devolved parliaments of the UK were pro-independence for the first time.“Each of our nations has the right to determine its own future, through democratic means and in accordance with the wishes of its people. We call for the British govt to prepare for, plan and facilitate constitutional change in each jurisdiction,” the agreement states.The MoU commits the parties to strengthening cooperation in areas such as the economy and energy resources, backed by a consensus that the future of these nations belongs in the European Union.UK PM Andy Burnham believes strongly in the UK and is focused on easing the cost-of-living crisis rather than on “constitutional debates”, Downing Street said.Conservative shadow Scottish secretary Harriet Cross described the meeting as “a separatist summit” and “performative photo call”.
