Referendums

• Scottish Independence referendum: 85% turnout
• Arguments for:

  • For coalition and minority governments, referendums provide a strong popular mandate on controversial topics: . For example, the Alternative Vote referendum in 2011 produced a clear ‘no’ majority (67.9%)
  • Increased use of referendums could act both as a way of helping to restore the public’s faith in the political system and combatting voter apathy: Electing mayors etc. Gives electorate more of a sense of control
  • Referendums are an important part of democratic renewal in the UK: Commons isn't very representative, referendums give electorate a direct voice
• Successful: Good Friday Agreement 1998 turnout: 82%, eased the Troubles
• Arguments against:

  • Referendums trivialise highly complex issues by oversimplifying them into a ‘yes’/’no’ vote: Brexit 2016, 48/52. Government struggled with Brexit, Lords defeated May government 14 times over EU withdrawal bill.
  • Referendums erode parliamentary sovereignty
• Arguments against:

  • Referendums do not provide a resolution to highly divisive issues: - Scottish Independence referendum 2014, SNP 2017 campaign for a one.
  • If public won't accept the results of referendums then what is the point?
  • National referendums are problematic because the UK is comprised of four separate nations: Scotland + Northern Ireland both voted to stay in EU.