BURNHAM DOES NOT SUPPORT INDEPENDENCE REFERENDUMS IN WALES, SCOTLAND AND NORTHERN IRELAND

LONDON, SEPTEMBER 14 /SRNA/ - British Prime Minister Andy Burnham does not support the idea of holding referendums in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on leaving the United Kingdom, an unnamed representative of the British Prime Minister said.

"The Prime Minister is committed to delivering change across all four parts of the United Kingdom and firmly believes in the Union," the Prime Minister’s representative said. He added that the United Kingdom is at its best when people unite around shared values and solving problems, rather than around divisions. "The Prime Minister will continue working to ease pressure on household budgets and provide greater economic security, rather than engaging in constitutional debates or further referendums," the representative said. The leaders of the governing parties in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland today signed a joint declaration calling on the British Government to organise independence referendums, saying that Westminster’s time is coming to an end. Scottish National Party leader John Swinney, Welsh Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth and Northern Ireland Sinn Féin leader Michelle O’Neill, who are also heads of the regional governments within the United Kingdom, signed the document, which could pave the way towards independence. The leaders issued the declaration during a meeting in Cardiff.