CATALAN CONSULTATION ON INDEPENDENCE - 9 NOVEMBER 2014

That this House congratulates the people of Catalonia for voting on a consultation on the political future of the country; celebrates that more than two million people exercised their right to vote on a consultation that passed without any significant incidents; notes that an overwhelming majority - 81 per cent of the turnout - voted for independence from Spain; condemns the fact that the consultation was suspended by the Spanish authorities; recognises the difficulties that had to be overcome by both the organisers and the 40,000 volunteers to deliver this consultation; considers that the UK, the EU and the wider international community should support an official referendum; invites the Spanish and Catalan governments to enter negotiations; and suggests both governments should emulate the successful Edinburgh Agreement between the UK and the Scottish Governments so that an official and legal referendum on independence of Catalonia is offered to the people of Catalonia without delay.