Impact of referendums in UK

• Referendums that had a significant impact

  • The 2014 referendum on Scottish independence
  • The 2016 EU referendum
• The 2014 referendum on Scottish independence

  • Appeared at first to have settled the issue
  • There was a high turnout and a decisive result
  • The continued dominance of the SNP in Scottish politics means that a future referendum on Scottish independence could still be held
• The 2016 EU referendum


  • Shocked the political world
  • Resulted in the biggest diplomatic upheaval since the Second World War
  • Revealed that the country was deeply divided on its future direction
  • These divisions in turn affected general election results
• Referendums that had only a minimal impact

  • Voters rejected the establishment of a North East Assembly in 2004
  • The 2011 referendum on electoral reform produced a decisive result though on a low turnout
• Voters rejected the establishment of a North East Assembly in 2004

  • While this result slowed the pace of devolution, it has arguably not prevented other areas from creating new political institutions, most notably the Greater Manchester Combined Authority
• The 2011 referendum on electoral reform

  • Produced a decisive result though on a low turnout
  • The issue of electoral reform is still not seen as particularly important by most voters