[0762]

Well this is the start of the formal process of electioneering and it is being opined that the race between pro fascist Spain backers and indy voters is 'neck and neck'! I don't believe that but maybe I am wrong. I wanna see the Spanish govt and PM Rajoy 'given a bloody nose' after their extreme response of persecution where some Catalan gov officials are still incarcerated - absolutely disgraceful, an affront to democratic principles and I hope the majority of the Catalan voting population 'tell them where to go' in no uncertain terms. Also I hope that UN and EU assigned observers are on hand to monitor the election/voting process because I fear that this Spanish govt is going to apply underhand tactics again to gain a voting advantage - IMO they are desperate and the Catalan indy movement is still strong and well backed!! I must also comment on the political 'silence', particularly from the EU, re the situation in Catalonia. This is one of the biggest regions in Europe and the muzzling of certain 'normally interested EU institutions' is absolutely outrageous! That is why all other nations really have a duty to speak up on their behalf. In Scotland, in the UK and in Europe we are supposed to live in democracies which champion feeedom of speech. The second we deny someone the right to freedom of speech is the moment we have to question whether we do live in a democracy. I recently viewed our British PM welcoming that fascist Rajoy on his visit to No 10 Downing Street. That would not happen retrospectively in Scotland - no way and rightly so!!