How have referendums been used in the uk

• 1997 Scotland referendum


  issue-Should additional powers be devolved to Scotland and a Scottish Parliament be established?

  • Level: Scotland
  • Why held: A fundamental change in the system of government needed popular consent
  • Yes (%): 74.3
  • No (%): 25.7
  • Turnout (%): 60.4
• 1998 Northern Ireland referendum


  issue-Should the Belfast Agreement be implemented?

  • Level: Northern Ireland
  • Why held: This agreement required support across the whole divided community
  • Yes (%): 71.7
  • No (%): 28.9
  • Turnout (%): 81.0
• 2004 Northeast England referendum

  issue- Should additional powers be devolved to northeast England and a regional assembly established?

  • Level: Northeast England
  • Why held: To test support for devolution in England
  • Yes (%): 23
  • No (%): 77.9
  • Turnout (%): 47.7
• 2011 UK alternative vote referendum


  issue- Should the UK adopt the alternative vote system for general elections?

  • Level: National
  • Why held: A referendum on this issue was contained in the coalition agreement at the insistence of the Liberal Democrats
  • Yes (%): 32.1
  • No (%): 67.9
  • Turnout (%): 42.2
• 2014 Scottish independence referendum

  issue- Should Scotland become a completely independent country?

  • Level: Scotland
  • Why held: A fundamental question about who governs Scotland, which gained traction after the SNP became the majority party in the Scottish Parliament
  • Yes (%): 44.7
  • No (%): 55.3
  • Turnout (%): 84.6
• 2016 UK EU membership referendum

  issue- Should the UK remain a member of the EU?

  • Level: National
  • Why held: The governing Conservative Party was split on the issue and sought to meet the electoral challenge of UKIP
  • Yes (%): 48.1
  • No (%): 51.9
  • Turnout (%): 72.2