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| Nicola Sturgeon's referendum call prompts demands for Welsh and Northern Irish independence votes | Nicola Sturgeon's referendum call prompts demands for Welsh and Northern Irish independence votes |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Independence movements in Wales and Northern Ireland are seeking to capitalise on Nicola Sturgeon’s call for a second referendum in Scotland by urging the British Government to consider their own demands for separating from the UK. | Independence movements in Wales and Northern Ireland are seeking to capitalise on Nicola Sturgeon’s call for a second referendum in Scotland by urging the British Government to consider their own demands for separating from the UK. |
| Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood claimed a vote on Scottish independence would “lead to the end of the UK as a state” and said "in that situation Wales would need to decide its own future". | Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood claimed a vote on Scottish independence would “lead to the end of the UK as a state” and said "in that situation Wales would need to decide its own future". |
| Her remarks come as Sinn Fein demanded an Irish border poll that could lead to the reunification of Ireland. | Her remarks come as Sinn Fein demanded an Irish border poll that could lead to the reunification of Ireland. |
| Earlier, Ms Sturgeon announced plans to hold a second independence referendum within two years. | Earlier, Ms Sturgeon announced plans to hold a second independence referendum within two years. |
| The First Minister said she hoped a vote would take place as early as autumn 2018 - just four years after Scots voted by 55 per cent to 45 per cent to remain in the United Kingdom. | The First Minister said she hoped a vote would take place as early as autumn 2018 - just four years after Scots voted by 55 per cent to 45 per cent to remain in the United Kingdom. |
| Commenting on that speech, Ms Wood called for a “national debate to explore all of the options, including that of independent Wales”. | Commenting on that speech, Ms Wood called for a “national debate to explore all of the options, including that of independent Wales”. |
| She cited Brexit as a reason that “decisions about Wales are best made in Wales”. | She cited Brexit as a reason that “decisions about Wales are best made in Wales”. |
| The Plaid Cymru leader continued: “If the UK Government’s Brexit negotiation also leads to the Welsh national interest being overlooked, support will grow for greater control of our own affairs in Wales. | The Plaid Cymru leader continued: “If the UK Government’s Brexit negotiation also leads to the Welsh national interest being overlooked, support will grow for greater control of our own affairs in Wales. |
| "We expect this situation to continue to evolve over the coming years, and Plaid Cymru will continue to articulate the Welsh national interest at all times. | "We expect this situation to continue to evolve over the coming years, and Plaid Cymru will continue to articulate the Welsh national interest at all times. |
| “Now is a good time for people in Wales to think about what is in our own national interests and how we can best unlock our country’s potential in this new constitutional scenario.” | “Now is a good time for people in Wales to think about what is in our own national interests and how we can best unlock our country’s potential in this new constitutional scenario.” |
| In Belfast, Sinn Fein’s leader Michelle O’Neill said a vote should be offered on whether Northern Ireland should remain a part of the UK. | In Belfast, Sinn Fein’s leader Michelle O’Neill said a vote should be offered on whether Northern Ireland should remain a part of the UK. |
| She argued that a border poll should be held as soon as possible, adding that Brexit had "increased the urgency" for a united Ireland. | She argued that a border poll should be held as soon as possible, adding that Brexit had "increased the urgency" for a united Ireland. |
| Ms O’Neill said: "They are continuing to refuse to listen to the majority views. Brexit would be a disaster for the economy and the people of Ireland. | Ms O’Neill said: "They are continuing to refuse to listen to the majority views. Brexit would be a disaster for the economy and the people of Ireland. |
| "To us in Sinn Fein that increases the urgency for the need of a referendum on Irish unity and that needs to happen as soon as possible." | "To us in Sinn Fein that increases the urgency for the need of a referendum on Irish unity and that needs to happen as soon as possible." |
| But Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan said calls for an Irish border poll were "premature" and an issue for the longer term. | But Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan said calls for an Irish border poll were "premature" and an issue for the longer term. |
| Renewed calls for Northern Ireland and Wales to separate from the UK come after Ms Sturgeon's plea for another go at securing independence from London. | Renewed calls for Northern Ireland and Wales to separate from the UK come after Ms Sturgeon's plea for another go at securing independence from London. |
| Until recently, polls showed that support for breaking up the union had barely moved from the 45 per cent who backed it in the 2014 referendum. | Until recently, polls showed that support for breaking up the union had barely moved from the 45 per cent who backed it in the 2014 referendum. |
| But polls in the last month have shown support for independence rising. | But polls in the last month have shown support for independence rising. |