Martyn Richard Jones

Gif sur Yvette 7^th October 2017

Let’s face it, the recent fake referendum in Catalonia has been end to end bullshit.

It’s bullshit because that’s what you call a referendum that has no constitutional guarantees, that does not allow for an informed and plural debate and dialogue, and which is not the culmination of a process that leads to a consensual ending in the form of a collective and democratic plebiscite. It’s bullshit, because in calling the referendum and then insisting on the referendum the Catalan government have placed the public in harm’s way.

But, people tell me, there was no alternative. Madrid wouldn’t allow Catalonia a proper referendum, unlike Scotland and Wales in the case of the UK. But this is a nonsense as well. If Scotland in the UK and the EU had as much autonomy as Catalonia, I doubt that many would be seeking full independence either. Remember, a lot of resentment in Scotland is based on the fact that London, backed up by the referendum votes of Little Englanders, is taking Scotland out of the UK.

So what could have been done different?

If the bourgeois leaders of Catalonia, and the ‘left-wing’ radical support they enjoy, had wanted to send a clear message to Madrid, to the EU and the world, they should have simply called early autonomous elections.

They should have called early elections, and as a group of pro-independence supporters they should have stood as one party, with a single issue. A vote for us is a vote for independence. Nothing more, nothing less. With a promise to call fresh elections within the permitted time allowed by the constitution.

Why didn’t they do that?

Probably because the last thing that the captains of industry wanted was an independent Catalonia, independent of Spain, and independent of the European Union. In this respect, Carles Puigdemont is no better than Farage and Oriol Junqueras is no better than many of the self-harming turkeys who voted for a harsh neo-liberal Christmas.

This is what abusive political-charlatanry, blackmail and shallow and crude populism looks like.

Why have successive Catalan governments never demanded that Madrid give them the right to hold an independence referendum?

Why have successive Catalan governments never demanded that Madrid sit down with them and discuss how to remake the Spanish state that would be acceptable to all?

As Julio Anguita put it, this is the collision of two trains. The train of corruption of the  Spanish government in Madrid, and the train of corruption of the Catalan government in Barcelona.

It does not matter a jot that big business is queuing up to leave Catalonia. Indeed some have left this past week, and many more will do very soon.

It’s not a question of independence, it is a question of trust, stability and the rule of law. The Catalan government has deliberately and palpably failed to deliver on these needs. That’s not a good place for a nation to be in.

It’s bullshit.

Have a lovely week y’all.

That’s all from me for today. Many thanks for giving me your time and please don’t hesitate to leave your comments below. So, until our paths cross next time.

Bye for now.

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