Implications of Catalan independence referendum on Scottish intentions to remain in EU

[Prof Honeydew]

Catalonia's government is upping the ante in its pursuit of independence from Spain.

Catalonia leader vows 2017 referendum on Spain independence - BBC News

Spain's Catalonia region seems set on a new collision course with Madrid after a vow by its leader to hold an independence referendum in 2017.
Catalan President Carles Puigdemont promised a "legal and binding" vote in his televised New Year's speech.
A consultative ballot in 2014, which recorded a large majority for independence, was ignored by Spain.

Should the Catalans force a constitutional crisis with the Spanish government, it will certainly have an effect on Scottish intentions to hold another referendum. Whether this helps or hinders SNP ambitions to create an independent state that remains in the EU while England and Wales brexit remains to be seen as it could lead to a number of contradictory stances being taken should there be votes held in both countries.

For example, would the EU recognise Scottish and Catalan referenda if they were held in defiance of the British and Spanish governments?

Would the EU treat votes for independence in both countries the same?

Would the Spanish government veto a Scottish application to join the EU or take over Britain's membership following Brexit so as to invalidate any Catalan application for separate membership of the Union?

 

[firefly123]

If the UK had voted to remain then I'd say the EU would give no chance to an independent Scotland. With a Brexit vote it becomes an entirely different thing. Why wouldn't the EU allow a people who were forced out of the union against their will back in?

 

[off with their heads]

hopefully its a big help

 

[Northsideman]

Jock is a wee Englander and ain't going anywhere.

 

[Northsideman]

hopefully its a big help

For what?

 

[off with their heads]

If the UK had voted to remain then I'd say the EU would give no chance to an independent Scotland. With a Brexit vote it becomes an entirely different thing. Why wouldn't the EU allow a people who were forced out of the union against their will back in?

charlie brooker nailed it the other nite "muslim imigrant mo farrah was cheered to victory by 48% of the population"

 

[wombat]

If the Spanish govt agree, it may be possible for an independent Catalonia to remain in the EU, just as the Czech republic and Slovakia are both members of the EU but anything I have read makes me think that it will be a bitter split.

 

[off with their heads]

For what?

Scottish Ind of course ...i believe if they do get another vote they will run screaming from the uk (who would vote for ind and then change to remain = nobody)

 

[gleeful]

Catalonia is a problem for Scotland. Spain wants no hint that Catalonia would become an EU state so they will fight any chance of Scotland setting a precident.

 

[Northsideman]

Scottish Ind of course ...i believe if they do get another vote they will run screaming from the uk (who would vote for ind and then change to remain = nobody)

Paddy Power will gladly take your money and you'll lose, you don't really know Jock do you?

 

[off with their heads]

Paddy Power will gladly take your money and you'll lose, you don't really know Jock do you?

I know the result of the last referendum lots of jock voted to leave and that number is only getting bigger

 

[politirak]

Once a critical Mass of a people in a given population demand something; its impossible to see how that demand can be defused. Catalunia is an ancient nation and as such there are incredibly strong historical ties that bind the people emotionally to independence. Madrid would do better to agree to a referendum on independence and then fight like blazes to win it. The problem is that Madrid is afraid they will lose, but for so long as they refuse a vote, the more determined Catalonians will become. Get it done and dusted and live with the result. After the fact, the new country can apply for EU membership. With a new border in Spain it unlikely they will come up against much opposition.

 

[Northsideman]

I know the result of the last referendum lots of jock voted to leave and that number is only getting bigger

Polls say not.

 

[razorblade]

The madrid government would never allow any catalonian independence motion pass in the parliament not in a million years.

 

[Cai]

Polls say not.

Depends how you look at them.

A year from the last referendum the Yes side wete miles behind a year out, but once proper campaigning started the gap rapidly closed.

From the point of view of independence supporters they'll be starting from a far higher base than last time.

 

[Cai]

The madrid government would never allow any catalonian independence motion pass in the parliament not in a million years.

In the long run if a nation wants to leave a union it will do so one way or another. Your history is evidence of that.

 

[Oscurito]

If the Spanish govt agree, it may be possible for an independent Catalonia to remain in the EU, just as the Czech republic and Slovakia are both members of the EU but anything I have read makes me think that it will be a bitter split.

The government in Madrid won't agree under any circumstances. They're total diehards against Catalan independence- far more than the government in London is against Scottish independence.

 

[firefly123]

Paddy Power will gladly take your money and you'll lose, you don't really know Jock do you?

You are going to have to troll harder. Nobody is biting today

 

[Oscurito]

In the long run if a nation wants to leave a union it will do so one way or another. Your history is evidence of that.

Gong by the Irish analogy, the Catalans will need to spend decades being a massive thorn in the side of the Madrid establishment. They've only just begun that process.

 

[razorblade]

The government in Madrid won't agree under any circumstances. They're total diehards against Catalan independence- far more than the government in London is against Scottish independence.

In the long run if a nation wants to leave a union it will do so one way or another. Your history is evidence of that.

If it is blocked by the parliament how do you think it can be achieved.