Roundup: British PM calls regional leaders to Downing Street for post-Brexit meeting

British Prime Minister Theresa May called Sunday the leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to Downing Street for talks aimed at strengthening ties.

The behind-closed-door meeting will takes place on Monday, and will be the first joint gathering May has chaired since becoming prime minister.

It will take place against a post-Brexit backdrop that could pose a threat to the survival of Britain.

This week Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon paved the way for a possible re-run of an independence referendum.

Wales First Minister Labor's Carwyn Jones will head to London aware of a keynote speech this weekend at the annual conference of Plaid Cymru, the Party of Wales.

Plaid's leader Leanne Wood raised the question of Wales fast-forwarding its ambitions for independence if Scotland goes it alone.

Although Welsh independence has been a long-term dream of Plaid Cymru, Wood told delegates at her conference that the Brexit vote had changed things.

Wood said a time may come when Wales has to decide whether to "hitch itself to Theresa May's right wing England, or contemplate independence."

She told her conference 200,000 jobs in Wales depend on Britain's membership of the European Union.

Although the leave vote in Wales matched almost the same 52-48 Brexit vote across Britain, voters in Cardiff, the Welsh capital, backed remain in the June 23 referendum by a 60-40 margin.

Wood told the conference: "We might not have wanted this outcome, but we have to try and secure the best possible deal for Wales. But what we will not ever accept is a negotiated deal which sees Wales worse off. Our red line at all times is the Welsh economy. Plaid Cymru will never sign off or endorse something that is bad for Wales."

At Monday's meeting, May aims to set out her vision for a new way of working between the British government and the regional administrations.

A statement issued by Number 10 on Sunday, said that May will call on the regional administrations to commit to fully working with the British government to enhance the prosperity and security of the people of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

"She will set out how the UK government is resolute in its commitment to strengthening the union further and making a success of the opportunities ahead. Additionally, the PM will seek agreement on strengthening ways of working, guaranteeing that relationships will be built on a basis of cooperation and consensus."

The Downing Street gathering will discuss how the regional administrations can work together to get the best deal for Britain and seize the opportunities that exiting the EU will bring.

Downing Street said May plans to invite the first and deputy first ministers to take up a key role in helping to build a new industrial strategy for the whole of Britain to spread wealth, jobs and opportunity more evenly, and ensure that the economy works for everyone.

Ahead of the meeting, May said: "When I stood upon the steps of Downing Street, I made clear the importance of our great Union." Endit