Alternative Vote (AV) Referendum 2011 Flashcards
(10 cards)
Why was there a campaign to replace First Past the Post with AV?
The campaign aimed to promote AV as a more proportional voting system to benefit smaller parties.
Which parties campaigned for the ‘Yes’ side in the AV referendum?
Smaller parties like Plaid Cymru and the Scottish Unionist Party (SUP)
Which parties and groups campaigned for the ‘No’ side?
The Conservatives, the DUP, and most Labour MPs campaigned for ‘No.’
What was the position of the press regarding the AV referendum?
The majority of the press, mostly right-wing, campaigned for ‘No.’
What was the outcome of the AV referendum?
The result was a conclusive 68% voting ‘No,’
The turnout rate was low.
What argument did the ‘Yes’ campaign make regarding public support?
The ‘Yes’ campaign argued that they were with the British Public
How did the ‘No’ campaign argue?
The unpopularity of the Liberal Dems as a reason for rejecting AV.
What can the loss of AV be seen as in relation to the Lib Dems?
The loss can be interpreted as a protest vote against the Lib Dems rather than a direct vote on the AV proposal, highlighting a flaw in direct democracy.
What impact did the Lib Dems’ coalition with the Conservatives have on their support?
After entering the coalition and raising university tuition fees, which they had initially opposed, the Lib Dems experienced a significant loss of support, particularly among young voters.
Why was this referendum held?
This referendum was held due to the 2010 Conservative-Lib Dem coalition deal.
Showing how referendums can fulfil political agreements rather than public demand
