CELTIC Alliance “more than a symbol,” Scotland’s Deputy First Minister has said ahead of her key speech at Plaid Cymru’s annual conference.
The SNP aims to build on the historic Celtic Alliance, with Jenny Gilruth giving a speech on Friday to the Plaid Cymru conference on the constitutional change taking shape acorss the three nations.
Last month, first ministers of the UK’s three devolved nations – SNP leader John Swinney, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth and Sinn Féin vice president Michelle O’Neill – met in Cardiff to sign a memorandum of understanding which reiterated their commitment to independence.
The trio said the historic meeting signalled a warning that “Westminster’s time is coming to an end” and that the UK Government should “prepare for, plan and facilitate constitutional change”.
The three leaders also agreed to work in partnership to tackle issues like child poverty, the cost of living crisis, climate change and building stronger relationships with the European Union.
With Labour projected to lose their majority if there were a snap election, according to recent polling, Gilruth is expected to outline that Scotland and Wales could “hold the balance of power” if there is a hung Parliament.
Reflecting on the potential for an early UK election, the Deputy First Minister is expected to say: “The next Westminster election, whenever they decide to call it, represents a moment of incredible opportunity for our nations.
“As well as pro-independence First Ministers leading our countries, for the first time in our history we could send two blocs of pro-independence MPs to the House of Commons.
“That would of course be a powerful symbol that Westminster’s time is up.
“But it can be more than a symbol.
“The fact is that the reason Labour are so far shying away from calling an early election is because they know they’re going to lose their majority.
“Westminster is heading for a hung Parliament.
“And in that very likely scenario, it can be Scotland and Wales that hold the balance of power.”
The National revealed that the Deputy First Minister was heading to Wales to build on the meeting of the Celtic Alliance.
An SNP source close to the Deputy First Minister told the paper: “The Cardiff Agreement was an historic moment between the First Ministers of three of the four nations of this union – it captured the media attention because it spoke to something true – constitutional change is coming to these islands.
“It was an important first step and not in isolation, with the Deputy First Minister heading down to Wales to speak at Plaid’s conference, building on that first meeting.”
The source added: “Of course we are all at different stages in our independence journey, we all have our own circumstances, but our movement is broader than ourselves and we can apply pressure on Westminster from all angles. There is genuine momentum behind us here.”
Plaid Cymru’s annual conference comes after the First Minister of Wales used the words of actor Matthew Rhys to make the case for Welsh independence at a rally which attracted thousands of campaigners.
Rhun Ap Iorwerth addressed the crowd in Aberystwyth on Saturday afternoon at an event jointly organised by pro-independence groups All Under One Banner Cymru (AUOB) and Yes Cymru.
As many as 8000 campaigners are estimated to have joined the march through the seaside town, carrying large flags and banners, and wearing Yes Cymru T-shirts.
