Is it because we live on an island? We just don't seem to understand that governments do things differently elsewhere...or that some tactics can spread like a virus.
When British workers like binmen and firemen used to threaten to go on strike, there was always talk of putting the army on the streets. It gave the population a bit of a jolt to see the 'Green Goddesses' driving around and their presence was always described to us as a safety measure. An emergency. On mainland Britain, there was hardly a ripple of concern that just 'across the water', the army patrolled the streets of Northern Ireland for decades during 'The Troubles.' Horrifying things happened to all sides: young men had joined the army to serve their country and found themselves under attack from extremists in this country. Ironically, it was only the 'enemy' - both Loyalist and Republican - that was referred to as 'para-military forces.' I've sometimes wondered: were the troops withdrawn after the Good Friday Agreement was introduced? I don't in fact know. We don't talk about it. But there's officially no state-funded and state-trained para-military force in the UK.
In France and Spain, it's different. In all the years I've lived in, worked in and visited France, I've got used to seeing the CRS around. The last time was in a quiet side street in the North East of France, where I spotted a couple of minibuses full of men in black uniforms parked up. Back at my hotel I asked if it was actually the CRS. And why were they there? There was a lot of shrugging. Football was offered as a reason. A big match between rival teams. There might be trouble. No one knew for sure but no one was surprised that the CRS were there.
In Spain from way back from the late 60s onwards, it was normal to see the Guardia Civil at border checkpoints, not checking passports but just hanging about - with big guns - as the border police did the customs checks. Spain wasn't in the Common Market at that time. There was trouble in the Basque Country, which isn't just Spanish but includes a bit of France. There was also a vast level of smuggling which some residents of the area took for granted but the Guardia Civil wasn't there to deal with that. The local police did that.
In the case of both the CRS and the Guardia Civil, there was no pretence that their presence was a safety measure. This was about state control. It still is. In France in the 60s and 70s during street demos, the cry regularly went up 'CRS- SS.' They were hated - and feared. It came as no surprise to me at least to see the Guardia Civil on the streets of Catalunya on Sunday. No insignia. No ID numbers, which the police have to wear. Bussed in from all over Spain. And using the same heavy-handed approach they've always had.
During the Miners' Strike in the UK in 1984, we saw the extent of government control: police officers bussed in from every area to patrol the streets of mining towns and villages. And they used the same tactics as the CRS and the Guardia Civil. Kettling is a well-established tactic in France and Spain. Making sure your officers have no connection with the area is another, so no divided loyalties. (Unlike the local cops in places like Girona and Barcelona who could only watch and weep on Sunday). And make sure they can't be identified and are well paid for their efforts.
So will the events of Sunday be played out here if Scotland seeks its independence? If Northern Ireland votes to join Eire? If Wales should ever get off its knees and seek to be a country?
On the one hand, the UK is not Spain: we have almost no history of Fascism, while the Franco regime only came to an end in 1975 - and some will tell you it didn't end even then. The Madrid government has handled Catalunya incredibly badly. Some of the population is clearly traumatised by recent events. I imagine Catalunya, along with the Basque Country and Galicia, now needs a period of reflection. As do the traditionally rebellious areas of France such as the Languedoc (lots of Catalan language and culture there), the Basque Country and Brittany. But I wonder if this is like a match being struck in a tinder-dry forest.
There is unrest in other areas of France: Gascony, Alsace and the North East, for example. And in the UK, will the areas which feel excluded from prosperity and a say in government - Yorkshire, the North East and North West, Cornwall - will they find their political voice too?
Interesting times...
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