Catalonia Holds Its Own Secession Vote

Following Scotland’s ‘No’ vote in September, the focus is now on Catalonia as they hold their own independence poll.

As with Scotland's referendum, there will be a surge of passion in what is billed in some eyes as a Spanish region moving a tiny step closer towards eventual self-determination. Unlike Scotland, the vote will not amount to anything beyond a statement of sentiment. 

It’s a ‘citizen participation process’ rather than a full referendum because the Catalan and Spanish governments failed to reach an agreement. Madrid’s

gone as far as the country’s Constitutional Court in order to block any legally binding vote. 

Scottish Conservative MEP, Ian Duncan, says some parallels can be drawn between us and the Catalonians.