Leaders unite to call for independence from the UK
Updated: Sep 17
Political
By Ava Barrett
leaders from Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales signed a joint Memorandum of Understanding in Cardiff on Monday morning, September 14th.
Those involved were Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth, Scottish First Minister John Swinney, Northern Ireland First Minister Michalle O'Neill, and Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald.
The leaders are calling on the UK to prepare for constitutional change regarding independence for the three nations and Irish reunification.
Andy Burnham, Prime Minister, previously announced to the UK that a referendum was 'off the table'. US President Donald Trump, on a visit to Ireland on September 9th, said that he would 'love' to see a unified Ireland.
This means Northern Ireland, currently a part of the United Kingdom, would re-join the Republic of Ireland.
Trump said: 'It may as well happen now... It seems to me that one of the naturals of all time is to put them together,' On Scottish independence, Trump stated: 'I won't talk about Scotland yet, I will save that.' Trump has broken a longstanding tradition in the White House of neutrality on Irish unification.
The United Kingdom began with the Acts of Union (1800). It was a legislative agreement which united Great Britain (England and Scotland) with Ireland, creating the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
The Troubles was a violent period in Northern Ireland which resulted in the deaths of over 3,500 people and left 47,500 injured. The IRA, also known as the Irish Republican Army, was an Irish paramilitary organisation which fought for Irish independence.
The original IRA began in the early 1900s. They fought against Britain during the Irish War of Independence from 1919 until 1921. On December 6th, 1921, the Anglo-Irish Treaty was signed. This meant that the twenty-six southern counties would join the Irish Free State, and the six northern counties would become Northern Ireland under British rule.
In the 1960s, Northern Ireland was separated by Catholics and Protestants. Being a Catholic or Protestant was not only a matter of religion; it meant where you lived, what jobs you could have, and how you were treated by others.
Catholics were at a disadvantage economically and politically. Catholics largely identified as Irish and wanted a united Ireland. A republican or nationalist wanted Northern Ireland to be united with the republic. Protestants largely identified as British.
They feared they would lose their privilege if Northern Ireland was to become part of the republic. A unionist or loyalist wanted Northern Ireland to stay in the United Kingdom. The 1970s and 80s were extremely violent, with acts of terrorism were carried out by Loyalist and Republican paramilitary groups. The Troubles ended with the signing of the Good Friday Agreement on April 10th, 1998.
Wales currently has no legal framework to hold a referendum on potentially leaving the United Kingdom. If one was to happen, it would require Westminster negotiations. The UK government holds ultimate authority over constitutional changes. Nationalist leaders have framed independence as a response to the challenges of post-Brexit Britain.
Wales received a large amount of funding from the EU. Brexit has led to economic uncertainty in Wales. Wales has been invaded by England as early as the 11th century. When King Edward I of England conquered Wales in the 13th century, Wales lost their independence, alongside their native political and legal system.
The Welsh Not was a wooden token used in Welsh schools to discourage children from speaking Welsh (or Cymraeg), and to speak English instead. If a schoolchild spoke Welsh, they would be given this token to mark them out, such as being hung around their neck, and then physically punished. The Welsh Not was used from the late 18th century to the start of the 20th century.
Nowadays, only 27% of the population can speak Welsh. In 1965, a Welsh village called Capel Celyn was flooded, despite protests and without the consent of local representatives. The valley where it lay was turned into a reservoir for Liverpool. It symbolised the dominance England had over Wales.
In comparison, Scotland was an independent kingdom during the Middle Ages. It fought wars to remain independent from England. Through military campaigns and political pressure, England kept trying to colonise Scotland. This was most notably in the late 13th and early 14th centuries. Edward I of England invaded Scotland in 1286, which initiated the First War of Scottish Independence.
The war lasted from 1296 until 1328. The Second War of Scottish Independence occurred in 1332 and lasted until 1357. However in 1603, the King of Scotland also became King of England after the death of Queen Elizabeth I of England. This resulted in a personal union. Scotland joined the United Kingdom due to the Acts of Union 1707 during the reign of Queen Anne.
For three hundred years, Scotland would not have its own parliament. In 1746, England banned tartans to destroy Scottish culture and heritage using the Act of Proscription. If someone was caught wearing traditional Scottish clothing, they would be imprisoned without bail for six months. In 1989, Scotland was used as a tax 'guinea pig'. Known as the Community Charge.
Regardless of income, it was a flat tax every Scottish citizen had to pay. The tax was only introduced in Scotland as a precursor to being introduced elsewhere. Mass protests ensued, and the tax was repealed the following year.
Two referendums on devolution have been held, one in 1979 and one in 1997. Devolution is when a colony is granted more self-government, such as law-making powers. A devolved Scottish parliament was created on July 1st, 1999. In 2014, a Scottish Independence Referendum was held: Should Scotland be an independent country?' 44.7% answered yes, while 55.3% answered no.
In June 2022, Nichola Sturgeon, the First Minister of Scotland, called for another independence referendum. In November 2022, it was ruled by the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom that Scotland did not have the power for a second referendum.
On September 14th, Scottish First Minister Mr. Swinney said that Andy Burnham will be 'the last Prime Minister' of the United Kingdom. He called for an independence referendum 'during this parliamentary term of the Scottish Parliament.'
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