The future of the United Kingdom is facing fresh questions as leaders from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland prepare for a key meeting.
The three leaders are expected to push for greater rights to decide their countries’ constitutional futures.
John Swinney, Rhun ap Iorwerth and Michelle O’Neill are due to meet in Cardiff on Monday.
They are expected to sign an agreement calling for Westminster to support constitutional change.
The meeting comes after Prime Minister Andy Burnham sparked debate over another Scottish independence referendum.
Burnham later clarified that Scottish independence remains off the table while he is prime minister.
He referred to Labour’s 2024 manifesto, which states: “Labour does not support independence or another referendum.”
However, Swinney believes the political situation is changing across the UK.
“We are at a pivotal moment of constitutional change, and our parties share the common belief that our interests will never be served by Westminster, and that the people of our respective nations must have a meaningful say over their future.
“This discussion comes the week after the prime minister accepted that a referendum should take place when there is majority support for independence in Scotland. That acknowledgment that the people of Scotland can and should determine their own constitutional future is long overdue.”
A source close to Swinney also criticised Burnham’s earlier remarks, saying he had “f*cked up” with the comment.
The source added: “If I was a Unionist, I would be very worried.”
Plaid Cymru’s success in Wales has also changed the political picture.
The leaders are expected to discuss energy, the economy, Europe and wider constitutional issues.
