Welsh and Scottish FMs announce ‘new era of co-operation’

The first ministers of Scotland and Wales have announced a “new era” of co-operation between their respective governments.

John Swinney and Rhun ap Iorwerth will sign an agreement in Cardiff on Monday afternoon pledging to make the case for “greater fairness” and power over the “constitutional futures” of their countries together.

The leaders were joined by Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald at a press conference earlier on Monday, where they jointly declared that “Westminster’s time is coming to an end”.

The group, who met in their capacity as party leaders – rather than as officials in their respective governments – also stated their ambitions for partnership around the economy, energy and international co-operation.

Mr Swinney and Mr ap Iorwerth are expected to sign the Cardiff Agreement at the Welsh Government offices in Cathays Park following the press conference – in what the Scottish First Minister described as “an important moment in the history of devolution”.

The agreement sets out areas of planned co-operation, including tackling child poverty, addressing cost of living pressures and international engagement.

Mr ap Iorwerth said: “While Wales and Scotland are on different constitutional journeys, we both share a commitment to strong, accountable devolved government, and to a relationship between the governments of these islands built on trust and mutual respect.

“We share a belief that our people should decide their own future, and that the union isn’t working fairly for either nation.

“We will use every opportunity available to us to press the case for greater fairness for Wales and Scotland and for powers over our constitutional futures.”

(left to right) First Minister of Scotland John Swinney, First Minister of Wales Rhun ap Iorwerth, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald and First Minister of Northern Ireland Michelle O’Neill, during a meeting in Cardiff (Ben Birchall/PA)

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Mr Swinney said: “The signing of the agreement is an important moment in the history of devolution.

“It will improve the way the Scottish and Welsh governments work together on our shared priorities so we can deliver better outcomes for the people we serve.

“The agreement reflects a relationship built on trust and mutual respect. Distinct approaches will still be necessary, but we share common goals and a commitment to learning from each other.

“The new era of co-operation represented by the signing of this agreement is underpinned by a shared belief that the people of Scotland and Wales are best placed to decide their own constitutional future and should not be held back by a UK system that does not work for our nations.”