No confusion, or contradiction at all in my position on an EU Army - it is a thoroughly daft idea (As I said it would be a clone of the EU itself inefficient and ineffectual) - the important bit is that after 29th March, 2019 the EU Commission can do its worst the UK will be paying for none of their foolishness.

The referendums suggested for the northern parts of Italy are for more fiscal autonomy. At present neither Lombardy and Veneto think much of the way what they see as "their" money is being squandered in the south by the Italian Government. It is a source of division that will have to be addressed. A referendum is as good a way of testing the water as any, if the Italian Government pay no attention to what the people of those provinces want having asked them, then the stakes get higher, as generally if the collective wishes of an electorate are ignored it will result in trouble and a hardening of positions further down the line.

By the way Shaw which one is it? It cannot be both:

1: "The problem for Catalonia going solo is that it would be immediately pitched out of the EU"

2: "an independent Catalonia, which would be seen as having brought the problem on itself. The EU has been of major benefit to the regions of Spain and you don't get to leave without paying a high price."

Oh and as for "you don't get to leave without paying a high price." - If there is "No deal" on the 29th March, 2019 the UK will leave the EU without paying them a penny. The countries of the EU can then decide whether or not they wish to remain in the WTO.