Madrid has shot itself in the foot
Regrettably, the spectre of fascist dictator General Franco has returned to Catalonia, with the Spanish government ordering the national police to stop an essentially peaceful vote on autonomy.
The violence displayed by the police, who fired rubber bullets and tear gas at protesters, was worthy of a totalitarian regime.
Whatever the legalities of the referendum, the Spanish government must take heed that civilised countries in Europe will not tolerate these hardline techniques to crush civilians. The EU should investigate the violence.
Terry Thomas, South West London
# The violence committed by police in Catalonia reminds me of the miners’ strike and the Wapping printworkers’ dispute of the Thatcher years. There was no need for such gratuitous violence by the Spanish police – I even saw officers stamp on women’s heads while they were held on the ground. It is despicable and there could well be long-lasting repercussions. The Spanish government should face EU fury over this, and Theresa May should strongly condemn it.
Gary Martin East London
# The violence the Spanish state deployed against those trying to vote in the Catalonian referendum was shocking. Rubber bullets, tear gas, batons – no wonder more than 900 were injured. Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy has brought shame on Spain and shown the limits of European democracy.
Sasha Simic, North London
# This kind of brutal suppression of people taking part in a democratic process has no place in a civilised European country.
Spain’s right-wing PM Mariano Rajoy’s brutal crackdown has stirred up a hornet’s nest and further fuelled the indignation of the supporters of Catalan independence.
John Spencer, Bristol
# Referendums are a nice idea, but how often do they create more problems than they solve?
Has Britain’s problem with the EU been solved, or the question of Scottish independence?
The recent Kurdish referendum could be the touch paper to more conflict in the Middle East, and now Spain is in turmoil with the referendum on Catalan independence.
Forget about Brexit destabilising Europe, what about a new state of Catalonia?
ST Vaughan, Yardley Wood Birmingham
# There is an interesting parallel between the Act of Union in 1707, which united Scotland and England, and the fact that Catalonia was an independent kingdom until 1714.
I bet Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is watching this drama unfold with interest.
B Parrott, Woking, Surrey
# The over-reaction of the Spanish police to the Catalan independence referendum will do nothing other than push the Catalans to fight even harder for it. I, for one, now hope they achieve their independence. Nichola Taylor, Mansfield, Notts