A crew from Plaid Ifanc has just returned from an unforgettable trip to witness the historical independence referendum taking place in Catalonia this month. Of course we’d been warned that there would be conflict and tensions in Barcelona between voters and the authorities, but the reality of the situation hadn’t quite hit home. Witnessing the scenes, we could scarcely believe that we were in a Western democracy within the European Union. We might have been naïve.
The referendum day itself was one filled with excitement. Crowds were lining the streets just to exercise their human right to decide the future of their own country. On one hand it was an inspiration to see political engagement alive and well, but on the other hand some of the conversations we had with local residents were heart-breaking. Upon seeing that we were visitors, people came up to us on the streets to justify themselves, to explain that they weren’t ‘criminals’ but merely partaking in a democratic vote. One woman pleaded desperately, ‘I only want to vote!’
One particular conversation encapsulated the whole mood of the referendum. This woman openly admitted that she opposed Catalan independence, but acknowledged that the Spanish Government had shot itself in the foot and that the Catalans were finally finding out what they truly meant to the Spanish.
Alarm bells should be ringing in the heads of every democrat following the events in Catalonia. The day after the referendum, we saw dozens of placards begging the EU for its support to the Catalans. Our party’s members campaigned fervently for a Remain vote in 2016, and despite its faults, we championed the EU as a democratic and progressive union. It was with great sadness that we watched that very union turn a blind eye when its own citizens were deprived of their basic human rights. Two of our core values are under threat here, namely national freedom and democracy.
Despite the bitterness surrounding this independence referendum, there is no doubt that this was one of the most valuable poltical experiences we will ever have. It was a pleasure to witness the Catalans taking their future into their own hands. We’ll return to Wales and continue with our own battle for independence! Visca Catalunya!
Osian Owen, Chair of Plaid Ifanc Bangor
