“We share a belief that our people should decide their own future, and that the Union isn’t working fairly for either nation. ” – FM of Wales Rhun ap Iorwerth.
The Governments of two of the devolved nations of the UK – Wales, and Scotland – met together in Cardiff on Monday 14 September and signed an agreement on how they can work together.
First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney and Rhun ap Iorwerth, First Minster of Wales, both represent political parties which seek self government for their countries. They also share many social policies.
FM John Swinney said:
“The signing of the Cardiff Agreement is an important moment in the history of devolution. It will improve the way the Scottish and Welsh Governments work together on our shared priorities so we can deliver better outcomes for the people we serve.
“The Agreement reflects a relationship built on trust and mutual respect. Distinct approaches will still be necessary, but we share common goals and a commitment to learn from each other.
“The new era of co-operation represented by the signing of this Agreement will be underpinned by a shared belief that the people of Scotland and Wales are best placed to decide their own constitutional future and should not be held back by a UK system that does not work for our nations.”
Click on this link to access The Cardiff Agreement.
FM of Wales Rhun ap Iorwerth said:
“Today’s agreement sets out areas of shared interest on which we as First Ministers and our respective governments will collaborate in the coming years, to strengthen democracy and improve outcomes for the people of Wales and Scotland.
“While Wales and Scotland are on different constitutional journeys, we both share a commitment to strong, accountable devolved government, and to a relationship between the governments of these islands built on trust and mutual respect.
“We share a belief that our people should decide their own future, and that the Union isn’t working fairly for either nation. We will use every opportunity available to us to press the case for greater fairness for Wales and Scotland and for powers over our constitutional futures.”
Also in Cardiff was the leader of the Government in Northern Ireland, First Minister, Michelle O’Neill. This is the first time the three devolved nations of the UK have been led by nationalist political parties seeking self-government (and in the case of Northern Ireland – a United Ireland). The letter which set out their declared intention to work together for constitutional change, was also signed by Mary Lou MacDonald, the President of Sinn Fein.
The leaders called upon the ‘British Government to prepare for, plan and facilitate constitutional change in each jurisdiction.’
And it affirmed that ‘the political landscape across these islands is changing…Westminster’s time is coming to an end.’