Referendums

• 2011 AV referendum


  Used as a way to protect the Lib Dems rather than a vote on the specific issue as they were very unpopular at the time for going into coalition with the conservatives and not sticking to their values (a bad look for direct democracy) the result was 68% against with a 42% turnout.
• 2014 Scottish independence referendum result

  the result was 55% no on an 84% turnout
• 206 Brexit referendum result

  52% leave with a 72% turnout
• How are referendums regulated

  • since the 2000 political parties, elections and referendums ac, the conduct of referendums has been regulated by the electoral commission e.g. changed the wording of the Brexit question. registers groups or individuals who spend more than 10,000
• why are referendums held

  To give legitimacy to big constitutional changes or settle a widely held debate within the governing party or due to the pressure from the public or parliament e.g. Brexit because the issue refused to go away even though Cameron was majorly against it in 2010 AND the Scottish referendum after the rise of SNP
• The impact and significance of referendums

  • form of direct democracy which contradicts parliamentary sovereignty and the representative model we have shown as the vast majority of parliament supported remain. recently referendums have big turnouts, reflecting the dissatisfaction with the governing class inn Westminster, they have also been on very decisive topics that would've or did change the UK constitution massively.
• Arguments in favour of referendums: improve democracy

  • allow voters choice in between elections, makes gov more accountable
  • enables a single issue to be isolated and cross party lines, a choice that cant be made in general elections
• arguments in favour of referendums: give legitimacy to decisions

  • referendums settle arguments and entrench reforms like the Good Friday agreement
• arguments in favour of referendums: increases political awareness

  • Scottish referendum has been praised for airing out a range of issue to the public
  • the 2 most recent referendums had better turnouts than elections
• Arguments against referendums: disrupts parliamentary sovereignty

  • voters pick representatives to make decisions for them, this creates a conflict of interest
  • ordinary people may not have the political literacy to make decisions on such big topics, in 2016 the electoral commission reported that arguments used by both parties distorted the arguments and there should be greater regulation e.g. exaggeration of immigration figures when remaining in the EU
  • not enough nuance on very important issues, not enough information or explanation
• Arguments against referendums: popular turnout is low

  • if arguments aren't clearly explained or the issue isn't as high profile the participation may be low
  • turnout in the EU referendum and Scottish referendums are exceptions. this limits the legitimacy of the decision such as the <50% turnout in the Welsh devolution vote which cast a shadow over the new assembly for some time.
• Arguments against referendums: outside influences

  • results can be influenced by other factors such as a way of protecting the government of the day e.g. the AV referendum in 2011
  • people can also be easily swayed by campaigns such as false claims over immigration in the EU
• Potental referendum reforms:

  • greater use of referendum like in Swizerland
  • greater threshold for constitutional changes, not just a majority