Referendums

• referendum:

  a general vote by the electorate on a single political question that has been referred to them for a direct decision
• Eg of a referendum is Brexit in 2016
• reasons for referendums to be called- To get public support for a government initiative (legitimise it) - the government’s way of securing public support before making constitutional changes e.g. devolution and the Good Friday Agreement
• reasons why referendums are called- In response to pressure - e.g. Cameron was pressured into the 2016 Brexit referendum. Because of a deal between parties - e.g. Cameron held the 2011 AV referendum because of a deal with Clegg as part of the coalition
• •3 national referendums the UK has had – 1975 (EEC), 2011 (AV), 2016 (Brexit)
• referendums are positive for the people in the UK- they involve the people directly in decision making on important issues. referendum's raise the voters political awareness for example Scottish referendum in 2014 a wider age of people voted in it
• referendums are negative for the people in the UK- if the referendum isn't explained to the public than the participation may decrease and cause a low turnout out e.g. 2011 election, outcome of the referendum can be affected by things that have no relevance to the referendum
• disadvantages of referendums- Government could be strengthened- they decide the timing of referendums and can dominate the publicity campaign, meaning they could influence the result unfairly