{"id":23718,"date":"2026-09-13T13:24:43","date_gmt":"2026-09-13T13:24:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/?p=23718"},"modified":"2026-09-13T13:24:43","modified_gmt":"2026-09-13T13:24:43","slug":"is-uk-heading-for-a-breakup-scotland-wales-and-northern-ireland-push-for-independence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/?p=23718","title":{"rendered":"Is UK heading for a breakup? Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland push for independence"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"e9jwa\">\n<div class=\"vdo_embedd\">\n<div class=\"GfdvZ\">\n<section class=\"_bIDB  clearfix id-r-component leadmedia undefined undefined  E9tg9 \" style=\"top:0px\">\n<div class=\"_bIDB\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">\n<div class=\"ypVvZ\">\n<div class=\"WGttI\"><img src=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-134201698,imgsize-554579,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/uk-pm-andy-burnham.jpg\" alt=\"Is UK heading for a breakup? Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland push for independence\" title=\"Is UK heading for a breakup?\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Ta7d_ img_cptn\"><span title=\"Is UK heading for a breakup?\">Is UK heading for a breakup?<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Is the UK heading for a breakup? A fresh challenge is emerging as leaders from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland prepare to join forces in a push for greater self-determination and the right to hold independence referendums.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"2\"\/>According to The Telegraph, the leaders of the three devolved nations are set to meet in Wales&#8217; Cardiff for an unprecedented summit, where they are expected to sign a joint declaration asserting their right to hold independence referendums and determine their own constitutional futures.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"4\"\/>The gathering comes at a politically sensitive moment for Westminster.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"6\"\/>UK PM Andy Burnham recently told MPs that he would authorise another Scottish independence referendum if there were a \u201cclear consensus\u201d in favour of one.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"10\"\/>The issue has gained further momentum after US President Donald Trump weighed in on Irish reunification. During a visit to Dublin on Saturday, Trump said he would \u201clove\u201d to see a united Ireland, describing Northern Ireland joining the Republic as \u201ca great thing\u201d and asking: \u201cHow can it be bad?\u201d<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"12\"\/>The comments have added to pressure on the Burnham-led UK government as nationalist parties push for a greater say over their nations\u2019 futures. PM Burnham has made the devolution of power in England a central part of his political agenda.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"16\"\/>John Swinney, the SNP leader and Scottish first minister, has seized on the changing political landscape, claiming Burnham was \u201cfacing up to the idea that he will go down in history as the final prime minister of the United Kingdom\u201d.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"18\"\/><\/p>\n<p><h2>Pro-independence parties gain ground<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"20\"\/>The balance of power across the devolved nations has shifted significantly following Labour\u2019s poor performance in Wales at May\u2019s elections. <!-- -->For the first time, pro-independence parties are now in government across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"24\"\/>Plaid Cymru emerged as the largest party in the Cardiff Senedd, paving the way for its leader Rhun ap Iowerth to become Wales\u2019 First Minister.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"26\"\/>In Scotland, the SNP remained the dominant political force despite losing six Holyrood seats, with Reform and the Greens making gains.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"28\"\/>Northern Ireland has also been under Sinn Fein leadership since Michelle O\u2019Neill became First Minister in 2024. <!-- -->Sinn Fein had emerged as the largest party in the 2022 Stormont elections, although a DUP walkout delayed the formation of the executive. The party is widely expected to retain power when Northern Ireland votes again next year.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"32\"\/>The Cardiff summit will bring together the three first ministers along with Mary Lou McDonald, Sinn Fein\u2019s president and leader of the opposition in Ireland.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"34\"\/>The leaders are expected to explore closer cooperation and discuss a renewed campaign for greater constitutional autonomy at the five-star St David\u2019s Hotel overlooking Cardiff Bay.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"37\"\/><\/p>\n<p><h2>\u2018Status quo is not sustainable\u2019<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"39\"\/>Swinney said on Sunday: \u201cFor the first time ever, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are led by pro-independence first ministers. There could be no clearer sign that the status quo is not sustainable, and that Westminster must prepare for a post-UK future.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"41\"\/>\u201cThe momentum behind serious constitutional change is undeniable. Andy Burnham must now be facing up to the idea that he will go down in history as the final prime minister of the United Kingdom.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"44\"\/>\u201cTomorrow in Cardiff, I am looking forward to discussing a better future with partners from across these islands, and that only comes with the fresh start of independence.\u201d<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"46\"\/>The joint declaration is expected to underline the three nations\u2019 claim to self-determination while putting further political pressure on Westminster.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"49\"\/>Burnham\u2019s recent remarks have already opened the door to renewed debate over Scottish independence. <!-- -->During Prime Minister\u2019s Questions on Wednesday, he said another referendum could be held if public opinion backed one.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"53\"\/>He told the House of Commons that the trigger for a separation vote was \u201cexactly the same situation in Scotland\u201d as Northern Ireland.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"55\"\/>The Good Friday Agreement provides a potential constitutional route for Northern Ireland to hold a referendum on reunification with Ireland. Under its terms, such a vote should be held if it \u201cappears likely\u201d that a majority of people in Northern Ireland would choose to leave the UK.<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/world\/uk\/is-uk-heading-for-a-breakup-scotland-wales-and-northern-ireland-push-for-independence\/articleshow\/134201489.cms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Is UK heading for a breakup? Is the UK heading for a breakup? A fresh challenge is emerging as leaders from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland prepare to join forces in a push for greater self-determination and the right to hold independence referendums.According to The Telegraph, the leaders of the three devolved nations are set [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":23719,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23718","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-31"],"magazineBlocksPostFeaturedMedia":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/uk-pm-andy-burnham.jpg","medium":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/uk-pm-andy-burnham.jpg","medium_large":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/uk-pm-andy-burnham.jpg","large":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/uk-pm-andy-burnham.jpg","1536x1536":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/uk-pm-andy-burnham.jpg","2048x2048":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/uk-pm-andy-burnham.jpg","blogsy-small":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/uk-pm-andy-burnham.jpg","blogsy-small-tall":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/uk-pm-andy-burnham.jpg","blogsy-small-square":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/uk-pm-andy-burnham.jpg","blogsy-small-masonry":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/uk-pm-andy-burnham.jpg","blogsy-medium":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/uk-pm-andy-burnham.jpg","blogsy-medium-masonry":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/uk-pm-andy-burnham.jpg","blogsy-large":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/uk-pm-andy-burnham.jpg","blogsy-wide":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/uk-pm-andy-burnham.jpg"},"magazineBlocksPostAuthor":{"name":"admin","avatar":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8709732a479614e7a8aa24d3eb1b239f30dc6d90c61464ed495001e7a469d856?s=96&d=mm&r=g"},"magazineBlocksPostCommentsNumber":"0","magazineBlocksPostExcerpt":"Is UK heading for a breakup? Is the UK heading for a breakup? A fresh challenge is emerging as leaders from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland prepare to join forces in a push for greater self-determination and the right to hold independence referendums.According to The Telegraph, the leaders of the three devolved nations are set [&hellip;]","magazineBlocksPostCategories":["\u0b26\u0b47\u0b36 \u0b2c\u0b3f\u0b26\u0b47\u0b36"],"magazineBlocksPostViewCount":3,"magazineBlocksPostReadTime":4,"magazine_blocks_featured_image_url":{"full":["https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/uk-pm-andy-burnham.jpg",400,225,false],"medium":["https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/uk-pm-andy-burnham.jpg",300,169,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/uk-pm-andy-burnham.jpg",150,84,false]},"magazine_blocks_author":{"display_name":"admin","author_link":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/author\/admin"},"magazine_blocks_comment":0,"magazine_blocks_author_image":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8709732a479614e7a8aa24d3eb1b239f30dc6d90c61464ed495001e7a469d856?s=96&d=mm&r=g","magazine_blocks_category":"<a href=\"#\" class=\"category-link category-link-31\">\u0b26\u0b47\u0b36 \u0b2c\u0b3f\u0b26\u0b47\u0b36<\/a>","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23718","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=23718"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23718\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/23719"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=23718"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=23718"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=23718"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}