THE momentum for constitutional change is “undeniable” and Westminster “must prepare for a post-UK future”, John Swinney has said ahead of meetings with the first ministers of Wales and Northern Ireland.
Scotland’s First Minister will speak to Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth and Sinn Féin vice president Michelle O’Neill in Cardiff on Monday, as well as a series of engagements with the Welsh Government.
The trio will meet as part of their roles as party leaders rather than first ministers to discuss the future of independence for their respective countries.
The Welsh First Minister’s election in May was the first time all three of the UK’s first minsters supported their countries leaving the union.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, Swinney said there could be “no clearer sign that the status quo is not sustainable” and that Westminster “must prepare for a post-UK future”.
He said: “Every nation across these islands is standing at a moment of incredible constitutional opportunity.
“There is a growing consensus that the Westminster system simply is not fit for purpose and does not work for ordinary people. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has accepted that himself – and the people of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have made it clear at the ballot box.
“For the first time ever, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are led by a 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.
“And crucially, for the first time since 2014, there is a British Prime Minister who has publicly accepted the democratic principle of self-determination.
“The 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.”
Swinney added: “Tomorrow 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.”
On Wednesday, the Prime Minister said the rules governing when a repeat of the 2014 vote could be held should be “exactly the same” as those for an Irish reunification referendum.
Andy Burnham made the comment when questioned on the Good Friday Agreement by SNP MP Chris Law. The agreement states that the UK Northern Ireland Secretary “shall” call a referendum on Irish reunification if it looks likely that the people would vote in support.
Burnham found himself under fire in August after he visited Belfast and said that a vote on Irish unity was “off the table”, apparently overriding the provision in the Good Friday Agreement.
Following his remarks in the Commons, Swinney wrote to him to meet to agree a legal mechanism which would trigger a second Scottish independence referendum.
However, in his response, Burnham said Northern Ireland and Scotland have “distinct constitutional arrangements” and claimed he was only highlighting “there is no consensus for an independence referendum in Scotland”.
The Prime Minister added there is also “no clear basis” to suggest a majority in Northern Ireland would vote for Irish reunification.
