Referendums

• 2016 EU withdrawal referneudm - turnout was 72% - 33 million - high turnout does not indicate a participation crisis
• Can be argued the EU withdrawal agreement was very complex and should’ve been decided by MPs as many of the public may not possess the knowledge to make these decisions
• However, in other referendums such as the AV Scottish electoral referendum there was a turnout of 42% which is relatively low
• However, also Only a 34 per cent turnout in 1998 to create a london assembly and London mayor
• Between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all have differing opinions and so different outcomes
• most referendums have a very low turnout which affects the legitimacy of the decision therefore not a valid endorsement of national policy for example the Welsh Assembly referendum in 19997 only had a 50.1% turnout