It would seem that this is about to be stopped in it's tracks if possible, but it would also appear that there is likely to be trouble if that does happen.

Another system in Spain that takes their money and puts it in a different money bag for use elsewhere.

I'm not sure why they are being driven to this independence referendum, but neither am I thinking that Spain has such force as to legally stop it.

Scotland were allowed to have their referendum, we didn't object.
It seem to me that there is trouble afoot in every political corner these days, and the EU ( or more Brussels) seem to be very much on the 'clamp down' of anything they don't like.

Very concerning for the future..IMO. There again I don't think any one group of people can control approx 750million without such over riding authority and extremes .

The lid is likely to blow off Europe very soon, and I hope we are out before it happens.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-41457238

link press here now the police are fighting the fire crews it's nuts

Basically it all goes back historically to the twelfth century but in more recent times the Spanish Civil War and Franco's iron fist - not removed until 1975, the repercussions linger.

I don't see how having a vote can be illegal and warrant the actions against the Catalonians by the Spanish police.

Whether the referendum is legal or not is another issue and nothing to do with the people voting. It comes under the right to free speech, it is expressing an opinion. Lets see what the mighty EU has to say on a blatant breach of one of their supposed prime principles.

Imagine putting a poll on WikiWirral and the heavy brigade arriving and bashing down your door!

Anyone for the International Brigade?

I havent really been closely following the lead up to the Catalonian situation so Im not really sure of all the background, but ignoring the terrible inexcusable violence for a minute and whether the vote is legal (which hasnt yet been decided by the constitutional court), would I be right in getting the impression that Catalonia is a hugely wealthy privileged area of Spain, a real hub for finance etc and they dont want their rich regions ways and economy , averaged down to a less desirable level, by being subjected to being ruled by the democracy of a 'whole' Spain , so want to vote for independence for their area to maintain their present standard of living and culture , meaning that with the high earning and productive bits gone, the rest of Spain would end up basically poorer as the Govt would have less income (from the taxed rich) to play with ?

Is this similar in principle to the talk you hear from London of wanting to be independant from the rest of the UK because the majority of them didnt want Brexit? Not about proper democracy at all, just about limited democracy ie within an area wanting to keep something that is particularly beneficial to itself?

A separation agreement can have adjustments to level the relative wealth. However I think the majority of Catalonians want independence for political and social reasons not economic, if that is true then they would accept the financial balancing.

Nigel nails it on the head once more.

Here Here Nigel, I'd vote for him to be PM if only we could Snowy.

Thank you DD

Well, I don't know if it's right or wrong. Prince Filip has had his say, the only worry is that once discontent gets a hold in a region, there are usually those with influence from outside, and we see what happened in the middle east. Considering Spain has a big migrant population, we don't know if the bad guys could get installed and wage war through Europe by getting a stronghold in Catalonia.
Just my thoughts, but we saw the same mass demonstrations in Tunisia, Egypt, Syria .
Maybe I'm getting a bit ahead of myself, but it is a situation that could explode if some so wished to make it that way. Either far right or far left.

We only can wish Cools.

He's my vote too!!

....Hope you are feeling better lollipop x

Thankyou! Snowhite!!!!

Yes back in work next Monday, parents went back to Wirral on Sunday and iam healing well still a bit tender though!! All good! X