UK Prime Minister asserts unity following self-determination declaration

London (ANTARA) - UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is “highly confident in the continued unity of the nation,” his spokesperson said on Monday, in an initial response to a self-determination declaration signed by the First Ministers of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

“The Prime Minister is committed to delivering change across all four nations of the United Kingdom and is highly confident in the continued unity of the country,” according to a statement from Burnham’s spokesperson, as reported by Sky News.

The spokesperson told reporters that the United Kingdom is at its “best” when society is united behind shared values and problem-solving, “rather than division.”

“The Prime Minister will continue to work towards easing the financial burden on households and achieving better economic security, rather than engaging in further constitutional debates or referendums,” they added.

The statement follows Monday’s signing of a significant memorandum of understanding by the leaders of Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales, urging the UK government to prepare for constitutional shifts.

A joint declaration signed by the First Minister of Wales and leader of Plaid Cymru, Rhun ap Iorwerth; the First Minister of Scotland and leader of the Scottish National Party, John Swinney; and the First Minister of Northern Ireland and vice-president of the Sinn Féin party, Michelle O’Neill, stated that the political landscape “is changing.”

“Each of our nations has the right to determine its own future, through democratic means and in accordance with the will of its people,” the document stated.

The declaration follows the first face-to-face meeting between the three nationalist leaders in Cardiff, the capital of Wales, on Monday.

For the first time since the devolution process began in 1997, all three nations have First Ministers who desire separation from the United Kingdom.

This comes after US President Donald Trump stated on Sunday that the unification of Ireland and Northern Ireland is a “very natural” step, implying that the historical division of the territory should be resolved.

These remarks followed comments made on Saturday (12/9) while the US leader was in Ireland, where he expressed that he would be “very pleased” to see a united Ireland.