Catalan anger

It IS intriguing to note that for the first time in Catalan history, the region’s parliament has approved a motion to hold an independence referendum soon after the elections in November, (your report, 26 September). Recent opinion polls suggest that there is an absolute majority in favour of Catalonia seceding from Spain.

In a scenario similar to that of Scotland, Catalan anger is fuelled by public awareness that Catalonia pays €16 billion (£13bn) more to the Spanish state than it receives, while Madrid announces budget cuts of €40bn. Similarly, Scotland generated 9.6 per cent of the UK revenues with only 8.4 per cent of the population.

Independence for Catalonia would act as a great encouragement to the campaign for Scottish independence, creating yet another successful European state of a similar size to Scotland.

Alex Orr

Leamington Terrace

Edinburgh