Politics Video Flashcards
(14 cards)
What is a referendum?
A referendum is a popular vote on a specific issue, typically requiring a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer. It’s a form of direct democracy within a representative system.
How are referendums initiated in the UK?
Referendums are called at the discretion of the government, with no fixed constitutional requirement. They don’t have legal force until Parliament approves the result.
Do referendum results have legal force?
Not directly. Parliament, which holds sovereignty, must pass legislation to implement the outcome. However, ignoring a clear public mandate would be politically difficult.
What are some recent examples of UK-wide referendums?
The 2011 Alternative Vote (AV) referendum and the 2016 Brexit referendum.
Besides UK-wide votes, what other types of referendums occur?
Referendums are also held in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland on devolved matters. Numerous local referendums address issues like and local representation.
What was the 2011 AV referendum about?
It proposed replacing the First Past the Post (FPTP) electoral system with the Alternative Vote (AV) system for House of Commons elections. The proposal was rejected.
What were the key features of the 2014 Scottish independence referendum?
The referendum addressed whether Scotland should become independent from the UK. It resulted in a 55.3% ‘no’ vote with a high turnout of 84.6%. Key issues included currency, EU membership, and economic implications.
What were the main aspects of the 2016 Brexit referendum?
The referendum asked whether the UK should leave the European Union. The result was a 51.9% vote to leave with a 72.2% turnout. Key issues included immigration, sovereignty, and economic impacts. The campaign slogan ‘Take Back Control’ was central to the ‘leave’ victory.
What body regulates referendums in the UK?
The Electoral Commission.
What are the Electoral Commission’s responsibilities regarding referendums?
Ensuring neutral wording of questions, managing campaign spending, designating lead campaigns, and producing post-referendum reports.
What are the main reasons for holding referendums?
Legitimizing constitutional changes or major initiatives, resolving internal party disagreements, fulfilling coalition agreements, and responding to public or parliamentary pressure.
What are the key arguments in favor of referendums?
Increased public involvement in decision-making, enhanced democracy, settling major debates, increased political awareness, and providing a check on government power.
What are the main arguments against referendums?
Undermining parliamentary sovereignty, potentially uninformed decisions by the public, divisive outcomes, low turnout in some cases, manipulation for party political gain, and influence of extraneous factors on results.
What are some suggested reforms for referendums?
Increased use of referendums for more direct democracy, higher thresholds for passing constitutional changes (e.g., supermajorities or turnout requirements), and regulating the circumstances under which referendums are called to avoid partisan manipulation.
