Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland leaders unite in bold Celtic alliance that threatens the UK's future

From the Newshound archive · first published 19 September 2026.

The leaders of the SNP, Plaid Cymru and Sinn Féin signed a joint memorandum of understanding in Cardiff on Monday, declaring that the Westminster unionist government "is coming to an end" — the first time three of the UK's four home nations have jointly demanded the right to vote on dissolution. The move follows Welsh nationalists winning control of the Senedd in May, meaning all three devolved administrations are now led by parties seeking to leave the United Kingdom. Commentators across the political spectrum are divided on whether the Cardiff Agreement is a historic turning point or a rhetorical gesture in search of a cause.

Pro-independence sentiment in Wales still polls well below a majority, with one analyst noting nationalists are "very far from a settled will."

Celtic MPs have reportedly never before formed a voting coalition — Monday has been called "a historical first" with no precedent since Irish rebellion.