Photo: BBC
According to the BBC, the memorandum asserts that, for the first time in history, the leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have jointly agreed on their commitment to independence from the United Kingdom. In the authors’ view, for observers of these regions and for the world at large, ‘there could be no clearer sign that the era of Westminster is drawing to a close’.
“We share the conviction that the nations and communities we represent deserve greater ambitions, greater economic opportunities and a stronger voice in shaping their own future,” the publication quotes the document as saying.
Joint action
Having analysed the content of the Memorandum, the BBC highlights the following areas of joint work between Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales:
– a focus on cooperation with Europe. According to the authors, Brexit has damaged the economies of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales and limited their opportunities. Therefore, these three nations see their future within the EU;
– the right to self-determination. The statement asserts that London has no right to block democracy or undermine the principle whereby the people themselves determine their future;
– a stronger and fairer economy. This involves sharing expertise to build productive economies with more jobs, tackling inequality, and ensuring a fairer distribution of wealth and opportunities;
– expansion of domestic energy resources. According to the statement, renewable energy resources should ease the burden on households and businesses and serve the needs of the people.
‘We call on the UK government to prepare for, plan and facilitate constitutional changes in every jurisdiction. The future must be one in which our nations can cooperate with confidence, speak for themselves and build relationships with one another and with the wider world on the basis of equality, respect and mutual benefit. Today marks another step towards building such cooperation,” the Memorandum emphasises.
In Britain, it is believed that there is no consensus amongst the public
As the BBC notes, the reaction in London to the signing of the Memorandum was subdued.
Earlier, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated that the decision to hold a referendum on the border issue should be taken only when there is a “clear consensus” in the country, when “public opinion has shifted to such an extent that this issue needs to be addressed”.
In response to these statements, the Scottish leader John Swinney remarked that Burnam would have to come to terms with the idea that he would go down in history as the last Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
However, shortly after the document was signed, the UK government stated: “The Prime Minister is committed to delivering change across all four nations of the United Kingdom and firmly believes in unity.”
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland form part of the United Kingdom, have the status of autonomous regions (constituent countries) and are separated from England by internal administrative boundaries.
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