Scottish politicians’ enthusastic support for Catalan separatists badly misplaced

Even in recent years Spain has had a troubled and tragic history. ETA, the terrorist gang operating in the name of Basque separatism, murdered nearly 1000 people in its bloody campaign between the 1960s and 2011. ETA terrorists put their goal of independence above normal morality and killed people associated with the Spanish state – judges, police, civil servants, etc. The victims were their fellow citizens.

There were two attempted military coups in the 1980s. In the first, Lt-colonel Tejero seized control of the Cortes (Parliament) and tanks were ordered into the streets. In the second, the conspiracy was discovered and the leaders arrested before they could put their plans into effect. Neither attempted coup succeeded, but they revealed the frailty of democracy in Spain.

Given that history, it is understandable that the Spanish government strongly upholds the country’s constitution and the rule of law. The constitution was democratically arrived at and it should be respected. The government has a duty to protect it both from separatist insurrection and from military usurpation.

It is deplorable, therefore, that Scottish politicians and journalists have been enthusiastic in their support of the Catalan separatists who have shown so little respect for the constitution. There are procedures laid down within the constitution which a regional administration should follow if it wishes to break with Spain and become an independent state. The procedures involve winning a vote in the Cortes to hold a referendum and then winning the subsequent referendum in which all of Spain would vote. Clearly, the procedures do not favour separatist ambitions, but that is the constitution and it was democratically approved by the whole country.

Puigdemont and his accomplices ignored the procedures laid down in the constitution. Instead, they staged an illegal vote which they then claimed as grounds for a declaration of independence. Their claim was ridiculous. The government had already declared the vote illegal and so the majority of people in Catalonia did not go to the polling stations. However,the separatists had stir red up such a fervour among their supporters that when the Guardia Civil went to seize the ballot boxes, violent scenes inevitably ensued. After their act of defiance Puigdemont and company fled the country, but foolishly stayed within the EU, so they are now being returned for trial in Spain.

People who defy the law of the land must expect to be held accountable for their actions. Any country with a democratically-conceived constitution has the right to expect all its citizens to uphold it. No one should consider themselves above the law, no matter how grandiose their political ambitions. No doubt the courts will punish the separatists for their abuse of their political positions. It is hard to see any reason why they should not.

LES REID Morton Street, Edinburgh