Referendums

• • A referendum may be held in response to pressure over a particular issue.
  • The EU referendum in 2016 was promised by David Cameron if the Conservatives were re-elected in 2015. Cameron made this promise because of political pressure, and the fear of losing votes to UKIP in the general election.
• • A referendum can be called to ensure significant government initiatives have public approval.
  • The 1997 devolution referendums in Scotland and Wales legitimised devolving some powers to both countries.
• • A referendum can result from a deal made between political parties.
  • The 2011 AV electoral system referendum was agreed as part of the Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government agreement in 2010.
• • Devolution/Independence: In 2014 Scotland voted against becoming an independent country, and in 2016 the UK voted in favour of leaving the EU by 51.9% to 48.1%.
• • Election system: In 2011 the UK voted against changing from FPTP to AV for general elections by 67.9% to 32.1%.
• A number of referendums have taken place in the UK on devolution:

  • In 1997 referendum votes supported devolving power to Scotland and Wales.
  • In 1998 there were referendum votes in favour of devolving power to Northern Ireland and establishing a London Mayor and Assembly.
  • In 2004 regions in England voted on regional assemblies. The North East of England rejected an assembly, voting 78% against the proposal.
• • Referendums increase the political awareness and education of voters over key issues.
  • Some UK referendums have high turnouts, such as 81% in the 1998 Northern Ireland Good Friday Agreement referendum and 84.6% in the 2014 Scottish independence referendum.
• • Referendums which have a clear outcome resolve political arguments.
  • In 1997 Scottish Parliament referendum over 74% of people voted in favour of a Scottish Parliament which addressed the issue of whether Scotland should have its own parliament.
• • Referendums give citizens the chance to make decisions directly, which is important in a democracy. A referendum gives the electorate a chance to voice their view on a single issue.
  • Referendums hold the government to account in between elections which only gives voters the power to influence decisions every five years.
• Referendums challenge parliamentary sovereignty as decisions are made directly by the public rather than MPs.

  • Elected politicians should be making decisions on complex political issues rather than the general public who do not have the expertise.
  • The EU referendum was on a complex issue that some people believe the public was not informed enough to make a rational decision on when voting.
• The way in which questions are phrased and the timing of them can manipulate results.

  • The wording of the 2016 EU Referendum was changed from "yes/no" to "remain/leave". This is because "yes/no" questions may benefit the "yes" side.
  • The electorate can be influenced, particularly by political figures, campaigns or the media.
  • People may vote with their emotions rather than considering all of the options available.
• • There is often low participation and voter turnout in UK referendums which limits how legitimate the referendum decision is.
• • Governments make the decision to call a referendum and hold them for their own political purposes.