The First Ministers of three UK devolved nations have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Monday in an effort to force Prime Minister Andy Burnham to hold referendums on independence.

SNP leader John Swinney, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth and Sinn Féin vice president Michelle O'Neill signed the accord in the Welsh capital Cardiff. They were joined by Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald.

Since the defeat of a plebiscite for Scottish independence in 2014, all seven recent UK Prime Ministers have refused to hold separatist referendums.

But amid longstanding dissatisfaction with the status quo within each of the devolved nations, separatist leaders have decided to join up to try to force fledgling premier Burnham to bow to their demands.

The MoU read: "For people watching across these islands – for people watching around the world – there could be no clearer sign that Westminster's time is coming to an end.

"No Westminster government has the right to block democracy or undermine the principle that our people will decide their own future.

"We recognise that our parties have different constitutional positions and that each nation will determine its own future in its own way and in its own time."

What is the current situation regarding devolved powers within the region?

Until the final years of the last century England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland were all run by the UK parliament, based in London's Westminster.

But amid growing demands within the non-English regions for greater economic, social and political freedom, Tony Blair's Labour government announced referendums for devolved power. 

Wins for the Scottish and Welsh separatist campaigns in 1997 saw the establishment of the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly (now called the Senedd) within two years. 

The Northern Ireland Assembly was formed the same year, although it has been formally suspended on six occasions due to sectarian and political disagreements.

Even within England, 28 mayoral posts have also been introduced, with varying powers and responsibilities.

What powers does each parliament have?

Scotland

The Scottish Parliament at Edinburgh's Holyrood contains 129 elected Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs).

Scotland already had a separate legal and education system that preceded devolution. Upon its inception, the Scottish Parliament acquired responsibility for local government and planning, taxes (including income tax, stamp duty and air passenger duty), health, environment, housing, agriculture, fire services, tourism and some welfare powers.

Wales

The Senedd Cymru meets in Cardiff Bay, with 60 elected Members of the Senedd (MS), although this is due to rise to 96. 

Its responsibilities include education, environment, health and social care, housing, local government, highways and transport, tourism, agriculture, and limited taxes.

Northern Ireland

Ninety elected Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) sit in the Northern Ireland at Stormont in Belfast. The Northern Ireland Executive consists of nine government departments responsible for specific areas of policy and public services.

Government powers are divided into three categories:

• Transferred powers controlled by the Northern Ireland Assembly

• Reserved powers which remain the responsibility of the UK government but could be transferred in future

• Excepted powers, which cannot be moved to Stormont without special laws being passed.

Its main transferred powers include health and social services, education, justice, employment, agriculture, environment, social security, local government and culture.

A power-sharing agreement between the nationalist and unionist communities in Northern Ireland is crucial, with the first minister and deputy first minister – one representing each of the two largest parties in power – jointly leading the government in a mandatory coalition.

The various Assembly collapses – one of which lasted from October 2002 to May 2007 – each necessitated a temporary return of powers to London. This has raised doubts over the stability of any future fully devolved administration.

What powers does the UK government retain?

The UK government in Westminster has responsibility for all policies which affect only England.

It is also in charge of overall UK policy in areas including defense and national security, foreign policy, immigration, citizenship and most forms of taxation. 

Who funds the devolved governments?

Using something called the Barnett formula introduced in 1979, the UK Treasury gives annual financial grants to the Scottish and Welsh governments and the Northern Ireland executive.

The formula calculates how much the devolved countries receive every year. It aims to give each nation the same pounds-per-person change in funding as those living in England.

Once the UK government has finalised the block grants for each nation, the devolved administrations decide how to allocate that spending.

What happens now?

Andy Burnham will meet the devolved leaders in a summit he called for October but is under no great political pressure to accede to secessionist demands.

Burnham has said he is open to giving more powers to the devolved nations as part of his flagship policy to delegate to all UK regions, including within England. 

However, Burnham appeared to row back on his suggestion in Parliament last week that a second referendum could be held in Scotland if there was clear public support for it.

Under the Good Friday Agreement, a border poll to decide whether Northern Ireland would unite with the South, will be "considered by the Northern Ireland secretary when there is a clear consensus in the country, when public opinion has changed to the point where the call has to be considered."

There is little sign that this point has been reached.

What is the public appetite for independence?

Recent polls have shown a majority in favour of staying under the UK umbrella in each of the devolved nations.

A Survation poll for YesCymru, carried out in August showed just 32% of likely referendum voters in Wales supporting independence. 

Most recent polls in Northern Ireland hasve seen support for unification at around 36%. 

Scotland consistently enjoys the highest level of support for independence. Two polls in August showed scores of 47-43% and 48-45% in favor of breaking away, although both margins were below the 50% threshold required.

In the 2014 referendum, 45% of voters supported independence.