Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland leaders are working together to break up the UK
Leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as the President of Sinn Fein (Image: Getty)
Nationalist leaders in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have agreed to work together to break up the United Kingdom. Scottish First Minister John Swinney declared that Andy Burnham will be the last Prime Minister to govern the UK in its current form, as he signed a memorandum of understanding with his counterparts.
Northern Ireland’s First Minister, Michelle O’Neill, revealed she took encouragement from US President Donald Trump, after he declared over the weekend that a united Ireland would be a “fantastic thing”. And Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth said there was a “determination that it was for our people to decide” their futures. All three nations are currently led by politicians committed to leaving the UK, after Welsh nationalists Plaid Cymru ended 27 years of Labour rule in May’s elections.
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The SNP, which is committed to Scottish independence, has run the Scottish government since 2007 while Sinn Fein politician Mrs O’Neill became First Minister of Northern Ireland in February. Her party calls for the province to leave the UK and unite with the Republic of Ireland.
In a joint statement demanding referendums to determine the future of each nation, the leaders declared: “Westminster’s time is coming to an end”.
Launching their campaign in Cardiff, they called on the UK Government to “prepare for, plan and facilitate constitutional change in each jurisdiction”.
Mr Swinney insisted Scots would vote to leave the union if a poll was held today, despite rejecting independence by 55%-45% in a 2014 referendum.
And he claimed that Mr Burnham’s commitment to devolution in England, which involves giving more powers to regional mayors, “leads you to the logic of recognising the right of the people of Scotland, in my case, to decide their own future”.
The Scottish leader said: “I think he will be the last prime minister of the United Kingdom, because the people of Scotland, if given the choice of independence in a referendum will take that choice,”
Mrs O’Neill welcomed Donald Trump’s comments in support of Irish unity, after the US President said he “would love to see” Ireland unified.
Accompanied by Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald, the leader of the opposition in the Irish Dáil, Mrs O’Neill said: “The comments from the president of the United States very much reflect the fact that the unity debate is very much alive, and people are engaged in it, not just at home, but obviously now internationally as well.”
Downing Street insisted the Prime Minister believes strongly in the United Kingdom and is focused on easing the cost-of-living crisis for households across the country rather than on “constitutional debates”.
Mr Burnham’s spokesman said: “The Prime Minister is committed to delivering change across all four nations of the United Kingdom and believes strongly in the Union.
“The United Kingdom is at its best when people come together around our shared values and problem-solving, rather than division, and the Prime Minister will continue to ease pressures on household finances, and delivering greater economic security, rather than engaging in constitutional debates or further referendums.”
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said: “Building a country requires a lot of work. It requires a lot of effort, and it isn’t something that we should take for granted.
“But if all we’re talking about is how to get out, we’re not actually bringing people together.”
GB News turns tense in explosive migrant clash: ‘Be quiet!’
Presenter Ben Leo fired back at political commentator Matthew Stadlen.
Ben Leo fired back at Matthew Stadlen after he attempted to interrupt him (Image: GB News)
GB News took a tense turn on Sunday (13 September) as presenter Ben Leo clashed with political commentator Matthew Stadlen live on air. Appearing on the programme to discuss the impact of the French deal on the small boats crisis, the duo also reflected on ex-Chancellor George Osborne‘s calls for the UK to rejoin the customs union.
“I suspect that if we were to rejoin the customs union, it would help us economically,” Matthew began. “There’s no doubt that Brexit has harmed us economically – [but] that doesn’t mean I think we should have another referendum.”
“Anyway, despite the anti-Britishness being peddled by your guest Thomas there, we have over the first two quarters, over the first half of this year, the highest growth – it’s not massive growth – but the highest growth in the G7 and that, of course, includes the United States of America,” he continued.
“I’m also astonished to hear from you, Ben, that you think France should be treated as a hostile state,” Matthew noted, firing at the GB News host.
“What would that involve? Does that mean we would get banned from going to France on our summer holidays? How far do you take this?”
“Absolutely,” Ben replied. “There is nothing more serious than what is going on with the small boats crisis,” he declared, before Matthew attempted to cut in, talking over the journalist.
“Hang on, I’m talking now,” Ben snapped back, raising his voice. “You just had a monologue, so be quiet! The national security, there have been thousands of men – we don’t know who they are or where they’re from, what their intentions are – breaking into Britain.
“That should be the number-one national security issue for this nation. If that means severing ties with France politically and economically, I say do it.”
Former Chancellor George Osborne is calling for the UK to rejoin the customs union (Image: Getty)
Following the fiery debate, viewers were quick to respond on X. “@Benleo, that’s the problem with the left, they think they only have the right to speak, and everyone else has to shut up. Sorry @MatthewStadlen, it ain’t happening,” wrote one. “Well done, Ben. Why does GB News have that nasty person on?” added a second.
Among the comments, however, others questioned the journalist’s stance on cutting ties with France. “So there you have it, straight out of Ben Leo’s mouth. We should ban people from going on holiday to France and sever economic ties with France. Has Leo gone completely crazy?” tweeted a third. “Has Ben Leo taken leave of his senses?” quipped a fourth.