Talk before forcing more pain on Spain

MUCH of this week has been absorbed by the unilateral secession ( let’s call it by the right name) of Catalonia from Spain. Which made a bit of a relief from Brexit after all these weeks of daily coverage. But the euphoria of the crowds in the streets of Barcelona cannot and will not last long. The reason is that the democratic basis of the secession does not exist. There was indeed a referendum but unlike Scotland’s ( secession declined) and the Brexit vote ( decision to leave the EU a clear majority) only 43 per cent of the electorate participated. The other 57 per cent boycotted. So no majority at all.

It would be perfectly possible and desirable to have a re- run under international supervision with clear rules acceptable throughout Spain and indeed Europe. The vote would be valid on the basis of an 80 per cent turnout. Then at least the real wish of a majority of the Catalans would be clear to all. So far it certainly is not.

One can only hope they try the democratic road first before progressing to economic sanctions. These would involve blocking the Catalonia- French border and the Catalan- mainland Spain border. With the owners of ship freight refusing to risk the impounding of their vessels by breaking a sea blockade, Catalonia’s prosperity would vaporise extremely fast. The fat lady has not even sprayed her throat with linctus yet.