Political leaders from Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have announced their joint position on the future of Great Britain, defending the right of the three countries to determine their own political destiny.
Modern.az reports that Scotland's First Minister John Swinney, Wales' First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth, and Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill met in a significant meeting in Cardiff.
They represent the Scottish National Party (SNP), the pro-independence Plaid Cymru party in Wales, and Sinn Féin, respectively. The leaders demanded recognition of their countries' right to determine their future constitutional status and the opportunity to hold independence referendums.
With the agreement signed at the meeting, the parties expressed their intention to prepare for constitutional changes regarding the future of Scotland, Wales, and the island of Ireland, and to strengthen cooperation on self-determination.
It should be recalled that the political structure of the modern United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland did not emerge at once, and its history was formed over several centuries.
In 1707, the Kingdom of Great Britain was created with the union of the English and Scottish parliaments. Later, on January 1, 1801, as a result of the political union of Great Britain and the Kingdom of Ireland, the "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland" was formed.
After most of Ireland separated from the United Kingdom in 1922, the state's name took its current form – "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland." Northern Ireland, however, decided to remain part of Great Britain at that time.
Thus, today the United Kingdom consists of four countries - England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
