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As Reporter Lewis Denison explains, the leaders of the SNP, Plaid Cymru and Sinn Féin have predicted the breakup of the UK.
The first ministers of the UK’s three devolved nations – SNP leader John Swinney, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth and Sinn Féin vice president Michelle O’Neill – met in Cardiff on Monday morning to declare jointly that “Westminster’s time is coming to an end”.
Along with Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald, who is the leader of the opposition in the Irish Dáil, the group called on the Government to “prepare for, plan and facilitate constitutional change”.
Following the press conference on Monday morning, Downing Street said Andy Burnham believes strongly in the United Kingdom and is focused on easing the cost-of-living crisis for households across the country rather than on “constitutional debates”.
Mr Burnham’s official spokesman said: “The Prime Minister is committed to delivering change across all four nations of the United Kingdom and believes strongly in the Union.
“The United Kingdom is at its best when people come together around our shared values and problem-solving, rather than division, and the Prime Minister will continue to ease pressures on household finances, and delivering greater economic security, rather than engaging in constitutional debates or further referendums.”
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