ANDY Burnham has said he is focused on easing the cost-of-living crisis for households across the country rather than on “constitutional debates” after the Celtic Alliance of the SNP, Sinn Fein and Plaid Cymru signed a historic agreement to put pressure on Westminster over independence.
Scottish First Minister John Swinney, Welsh first minister Rhun ap Iorwerth and Northern Ireland first minister Michelle O'Neill held a landmark press conference in Cardiff on Monday morning to sign a memorandum of understanding as they declared “Westminster’s time is coming to an end”.
Along with Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald, who is the leader of the opposition in the Irish Dáil, the leaders called on the UK Government to “prepare for, plan and facilitate constitutional change”.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesperson said in response to the meeting: “The Prime Minister is committed to delivering change across all four nations of the United Kingdom and believes strongly in the Union.
“The United Kingdom is at its best when people come together around our shared values and problem-solving, rather than division, and the Prime Minister will continue to ease pressures on household finances, and delivering greater economic security, rather than engaging in constitutional debates or further referendums.”
Asked if the UK Government had sent a representative to the meeting, the spokesman said: “In terms of the nature of that meeting, and indeed his approach more broadly, he works closely with the first and deputy first ministers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
“That work is based on partnership and collaboration. The Prime Minister remains focused on that partnership and on the issues that matter most to families across the UK, which includes easing pressures on household finances and delivering greater economic security, rather than engaging in constitutional debates or further referendums.”
The agreement sets out plans to “reject Whitehall’s broken economic model” and share ideas on economic growth, expand energy resources, and states that “the future of our nations belongs in the European Union”.
The first ministers, who met in their party capacities, said "no Westminster government has the right to block democracy or undermine the principle that our people will decide their own future".
The agreement set out the parties commitment to strengthening cooperation and identifying areas they can work together.
The agreement says: “The political landscape across these islands is changing.
“For the first time ever, people across these islands have 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 across these islands – for people watching around the world – there could be no clearer sign that Westminster’s time is coming to an end.
“We believe there is a better way: nations working together as equals, sharing ideas and expertise, and building relationships based on mutual respect and common interests.
“Momentum is behind our movements; we believe that constitutional change is coming.
“We therefore commit to strengthening cooperation between our parties and identifying practical areas where working together can make a real difference.”
