Last Sunday’s regional elections in Catalonia were a decisive victory for the the right to create a new country, independent of Spain, according to the pro-independence movement. However, in the eyes of their opponents the result was a humiliating defeat for the secessionists. While pro-independence parties won a majority of seats in the Barcelona-based regional parliament they were not backed by a majority of the electorate, taking just under 50 per cent of votes cast. Their opponents argue if last Sunday's vote had been a referendum the No vote would have carried the day. [...]