New Delhi, Sept. 14 -- Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland may no longer remain part of the United Kingdom. Three political parties have issued a joint statement demanding the right of their people to decide.

Their message is direct: people should have the power to decide the United Kingdom's future. The statement brings together Scotland's Scottish National Party, Wales' Plaid Cymru and Sinn Fein.

They promise closer cooperation while pursuing different paths towards changing their relationship with Britain. However, this agreement does not itself break up the United Kingdom or announce any referendum.

The United Kingdom consists of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Scotland and Wales have movements seeking independence ...