SCOTLAND’S Deputy First Minister will deliver a speech at Plaid Cymru’s annual conference as the SNP aims to build on the historic Celtic Alliance, The National can reveal.
Plaid Cymru will hold their annual conference in Llandudno on Friday and Saturday and will be joined by the SNP’s Jenny Gilruth as the two nations look to build their ties in securing referendums for their respective countries.
The 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 earlier this month to declare that “Westminster’s time is coming to an end”.
The leaders – who met in their capacity as party leaders, rather than as officials in their respective governments – signed a memorandum of understanding which reiterated their commitment to independence.
The trio, along with Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald, called on the UK Government to “prepare for, plan and facilitate constitutional change” and said that it is Scotland, Wales and Ireland's right to decide on their futures.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to work together in the pursuit of securing their respected nations' right to determine their own future.
An SNP source close to the Deputy First Minister told The National she will give a speech at the Plaid Cymru’s conference in a bid to build on the meeting of the Celtic Alliance.
They said: “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.”
Last week, pro-independence groups from Scotland, Wales and the island of Ireland met to discuss how they can work together.
Representatives of civic and political organisations met in Cardiff on Friday, where they discussed their respective campaigns for self-determination.
The historic meeting, which was convened by YesCymru, built on discussions with organisations from across Scotland, Wales and the island of Ireland which first began months ago.
The meeting brought together representatives from YesCymru, Ireland’s Future, SDLP, Plaid Cymru, Green Party Wales, Believe in Scotland, Business for Scotland, Common Weal, and Scottish Independence Forum.
Participants discussed their respective political contexts, the challenges facing their movements, and the opportunities represented by greater cooperation.
Rather than establishing a new organisation or imposing a formal structure, the summit focused on identifying practical ways in which the existing civic movements could support one another.
The groups agreed to take part in two further gatherings, one in Ireland in November and a second in Scotland.
Plaid Cymru’s annual conference also 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.
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.
Speaking at the rally, ap Iorwerth quoted Welsh actor Matthew Rhys, who described Wales as a “small but mighty nation” after winning two best lead actor awards at the Emmys earlier this month.
The First Minister said: “Wales is showing a new sense of confidence like never, ever before.
“I will use and quote the words of Matthew Rhys, too – our small and mighty nation, he called it.
“Well, this small and mighty nation is ready to shape its own future.”
