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Both of these statements are true
For the first time ever separatists won a majority of votes cast in Catalan elections
Separatists lost 30% of their 2017 vote
For the first time ever separatists won a majority of votes cast in Catalan elections
Separatists lost 30% of their 2017 vote
Why? Because turnout fell from 79% in 2017 to 53.5% yesterday. Expect similar in Scotland in May - though the fall won't be as drastic as turnout in 2016 was just 56%
But do expect to see scenes like these covid-spreading queues to vote
And vote counting 2021-style
But it all goes to show how silly some claims of a 'mandate' are. One the one hand a separatist majority. On the other well over 600,000 fewer votes for separatist parties
In 2017 the SNP won with just over one million constituency votes - or around half the number who voted NO in that 'once in a generation/lifetime' vote in 2014
When turnout declines it favours the most devout so if as expected the SNP gain an absolute majority but fewer people vote for them in 2021 as in 2016 how can they claim a mandate for a second referendum?
Though one thing's for certain they will
Yet another way to read the Catalan results is that the socialists put on nearly 10% and topped the poll. For the second election running a non-separatist party gained the most votes
And despite that massive drop in votes the separatist parties gained four more seats. Yet the socialists were the only party to actually INCREASE their votes (I don't count VOX who didn't stand in 2017)
Moral of the tale is there are lies, damned lies and statistics. But if the SNP do similar in Scotland - more seats & fewer votes they'll have a damned hard time claiming a 'mandate' for a referendum
