Referendums

• Reasons for Referendums

  • Response to public pressure on an issue e.g. SNP on independence, and UKIP on Brexit
  • Can help resolve issues which may divide parties e.g. Brexit split Tories
  • Due to deals between two parties e.g. 2011 AV was agreement between Tories and lib dems
  • Can lend legitimacy to large constitutional changes in UK
• 2011 AV Referendum

  Yes: 32%

  No: 67%

  Turnout: 42%

  Reason: coalition agreement between lib dems and Tories
• 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum


  Yes: 44%

  No: 55%

  Turnout: 84%

  Reason: pressure from Scottish government
• 2016 EU Referendum


  Leave: 51%

  Remain: 48%

  Turnout: 72%

  Reason: promise made by Tories in previous election
• 1997 Welsh and Scottish Devolution Referendums


  Creating Scottish Parliament

  Yes: 74%

  No: 25%

  Turnout: 60%

  Creating Welsh Parliament

  Yes: 50%

  No: 49%

  Turnout: 50%

  Reason: part of labour pledge
• For Referendums


  + Increase education and Engagement

  + Provide clear outcome

  + Management is by Electoral Commission limiting government manipulation

  + Enhance representation

  + Enhance democracy

  + Ensure a responsive government

  + Parliament remains sovereign
• Against Referendums


  - Turnout being low damages legitimcay

  - Close results often don't settle issues

  - Campaigns can be misleading e.g. Johnsons £350 bus pledge

  - Question phrasing can manipulate a result

  - Government still decides date of referendum

  - Issues are complex and voters may lack insight into them

  - Parliamentary sovereignty is undermined