Could Andy Burnham Be Britain's Last Prime Minister? Trump Backs United Ireland Ahead of Cardiff Pact

US President Donald Trump broke with a longstanding White House tradition of neutrality on Irish unification. While visiting the Republic of Ireland over the weekend, Trump said he would 'love' to see Northern Ireland and the Republic unified and that 'it may as well happen now'.

The issue was raised ahead of a scheduled meeting among pro-independence leaders from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales on Monday, 14 September 2026, in Cardiff. The agenda will include the possible constitutional futures of their respective nations.

Is Andy Burnham Destined To Be the Last PM?

Prime Minister Andy Burnham could ultimately be the last head of a United Kingdom if the pro-independence movements represented at the Cardiff meeting achieve their aims. But the process is long and would involve separate constitutional processes and potentially referendums.

On Wednesday, 9 September 2026, Burnham said another Scottish independence referendum could take place if there were clear public support, despite previously saying it was 'off limits'. The statement reignited the independence debate ahead of a meeting among leaders of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

It will be the first time the leaders have met since Plaid Cymru's historic victory in the Welsh Senedd election. Plaid Cymru First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth will host Scottish National Party leader John Swinney and Sinn Féin vice-president and Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill. Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald is also expected to attend.

'Following the historic Senedd election in Wales and the changing political landscape across these islands, there is a strong case for practical political cooperation on areas including energy, the economy and our relationship with Europe, as well as on the wider political and constitutional questions facing our nations and on the right to self-determination,' a Plaid spokesperson said.

Burnham Clarifies Stance

It was during Prime Minister's Questions that Burnham told MPs that another Scottish independence referendum would not take place unless there was clear public support. Swinney subsequently wrote to Burnham, asking for a meeting to discuss the issue.

Burnham said in his reply: 'In my remarks, I was simply highlighting that there is no consensus for an independence referendum in Scotland, nor is there a clear basis to suggest that a majority of people in Northern Ireland presently wish to separate from the United Kingdom.'

'Every nation across these islands is standing at a moment of incredible constitutional opportunity,' said Swinney. 'There is a growing consensus that the Westminster system simply is not fit for purpose and does not work for ordinary people.'

Does Trump's Statement Matter?

'It just seems to me that you have Northern Ireland and you have Ireland, and it would seem to me that one of the naturals of all time is to put them together,' Trump said on Sunday while visiting the Irish Open in Doonbeg.

Trump's statements were quite divisive, especially among party leaders. 'Donald Trump is Donald Trump, and the president will say and speak his mind as he sees it,' said Angela Rayner, the UK's communities secretary.

Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin agreed, saying there is no need to overreact to the US president's statement. 'He takes a different sort of perspective on things,' said Martin.

Sinn Féin figures welcomed Trump's statements. 'They reflect the broad North American sentiment towards Irish unity and particularly the Irish diaspora towards Irish reunification,' said former party leader Gerry Adams.