Celtic leaders in Cardiff to affirm right to independence from UK

A landmark summit is taking place in Cardiff on Monday, where Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth, Scottish National Party leader John Swinney and Sinn Féin vice president Michelle O'Neill are expected to sign a memorandum calling on Westminster to prepare for and facilitate constitutional change in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The leaders are attending in their capacity as party heads rather than government officials, alongside Sinn Féin president and Irish opposition leader Mary Lou McDonald. Talks will also cover Europe, international cooperation, the economy and energy.

A new phase for independence movements

Plaid Cymru's win in May's Senedd elections marked a turning point: for the first time, pro-independence parties now lead governments in all three nations simultaneously.

While Prime Minister Andy Burnham has emphasized support for devolving power within England since taking office in July, his stance toward the devolved administrations in Belfast, Cardiff and Edinburgh remains less defined. Last week he wrote to Swinney reaffirming that a repeat of the 2014 Scottish independence referendum remains off the table, after appearing to misspeak on the issue during prime minister's questions.

Trump wades in on Irish unity

During a weekend visit to Ireland, US President Donald Trump said he would welcome a united Ireland and suggested it could happen soon — remarks that drew a swift response from the UK government and unionist figures in Northern Ireland's power-sharing executive. Trump said he stood by his comments, while declining for now to state a position on Scottish independence.

Recent polling shows 47% support for independence in Scotland, 36% in Northern Ireland and 32% in Wales if referendums were held immediately.