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Scottish and Welsh nationalists have today done a deal with Sinn Fein, pledging to work together to break up the United Kingdom.
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nationalists → see → Kingdom
The leaders of the Scottish National Party (SNP) and Plaid Cymru announced a 'memorandum of understanding' with Irish republican leaders ahead of a 'separatist summit' in Cardiff.
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leaders → announce → Cardiff
Scottish First Minister John Swinney, Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth, Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald pledged to work together on common goals, including 'supporting the right of each nation to determine its own future' - inside the EU.
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Swinney → pledge → EU
Mr Swinney said the meeting between the leaders represents a 'pivotal moment in the constitutional journey of the UK' and claimed that Mr Burnham would be its last prime minister.
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Burnham → say → UK
The Scottish First Minister demanded a new referendum within five years and said there should be 'no obstacle' to those in the three devolved nations being 'able to determine their own future'.
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those → demand → future
A spokesman for Mr Burnham, who last week spurred Scots' independence hopes with a gaffe over the level of public support, today said the PM 'believes strongly in the Union' and was 'committed to delivering change across all four nations'.
But the meeting sparked anger from other pro-union politicians, coming after US President Donald Trump triggered weekend uproar by backing a united Ireland.
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Trump → spur → Ireland
Harriet Cross, the Conservative shadow secretary of state for Scotland, said: 'This separatist summit is a blatant distraction from the real issues facing Scotland, like education and the economy.
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summit → say → education
John Swinney happily sitting shoulder to shoulder with the leader of Sinn Fein shows just how far he is prepared to go in pursuit of his lifelong dream of independence.
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he → sit → independence
It is a sight that will anger many Scots who remember the Troubles.'
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who → anger → Troubles
(Left to right) John Swinney, Rhun ap Iorwerth, Mary Lou McDonald and Michelle O'Neill pledged to work together on common goals
The leaders of the Scottish National Party (SNP) and Plaid Cymru announced a 'memorandum of understanding' with Irish republican leaders ahead of a 'separatist summit' in Cardiff
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leaders → pledge → Cardiff
Trump doubled down on his comments in support of Irish unity, saying it was 'one of the naturals of all time'
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it → double → time
Ms Little-Pengelly accused Ms O'Neill of attempting to 'weaponise the role of First Minister'.
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Pengelly → accuse → Minister
In a social media post she said: 'Let me be absolutely clear.
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me → say → post
Michelle O'Neill is not travelling to this "summit" as First Minister, she has no authority to present herself as representing the FM role at any such 'summit' and nor does she have any authority to sign anything as First Minister of Northern Ireland at any such "summit".
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she → travel → summit
'She has not sought any agreement or permission from me to travel, attend or sign anything as First Minister.
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She → seek → Minister
It came after Mr Trump doubled down on his comments in support of Irish unity, saying it was 'one of the naturals of all time'.
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it → come → time
Speaking on the second day of his trip to Ireland, Mr Trump also dismissed the diplomatic backlash to his remarks, which have dominated his trip.
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which → speak → trip
Ms O'Neill said the comments in support of Irish unity show the independence debate is 'very much alive'.
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debate → say → unity
'I think that tells us where we're at with where the thinking is around what is the big prize here for our people, and the big prize here is unification,' she said.
'It is the end of partition and it is that new beginning in a new Ireland.
'
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it → think → Ireland
I think the comments that we've seen over the weekend very much reflect that there is a chorus now of people that are engaged in this debate.'
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that → think → debate
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.
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who → meet → economy
The agreement says: 'The political landscape across these islands is changing.
'
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landscape → say → islands
For the first time ever, people across these islands have first ministers in Scotland, in Wales and in the North of Ireland who are all committed to independence from the United Kingdom.
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who → have → Kingdom
For people watching across these islands – for people watching around the world – there could be no clearer sign that Westminster's time is coming to an end.
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time → watch → end
We believe there is a better way: Nations working together as equals, sharing ideas and expertise, and building relationships based on mutual respect and common interests.
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We → believe → respect
'Momentum is behind our movements; we believe that constitutional change is coming.
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change → believe → movements
'We therefore commit to strengthening cooperation between our parties and identifying practical areas where working together can make a real difference.'
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working → commit → difference
The agreement sets out plans to 'reject Whitehall's broken economic model' and share ideas on economic growth, expand energy resources, and states that 'the future of our nations belongs in the European Union'.
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future → set → Union
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said the agreement was 'historic', adding: 'It is that moment where we assert collectively our inalienable right to decide our futures.'
Mr ap Iorwerth said the people of Wales will set the timescale for any future independence referendum 'when they are persuaded'.
'
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they → say → referendum
My job is to persuade and it seems from the polls, from the direction of travel, that people more and more are absolutely getting persuaded,' he said.
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he → persuade → travel
'It's not up to me to dictate, is it?
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it → dictate → me
It's for me to listen to the people of Wales and to show that leadership.'
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me → listen → leadership