Referendums 3.2

Question 1

What is a referendum?

Answer 1

a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ vote offered to the public on a single issue.

Question 2

When is a referendum called?

Answer 2

a) in response to public pressure
b) to settle controversial issue (in society or a party)
c) give legitimacy to an issue of constitutional significance through gaining clear public support

Question 3

Should there be more referendums? (YES)

Answer 3

encourages pluralist democracy, improves legitimacy of decisions, provides clear answers to controversial issues, (eg Brexit) increases political education, holds government accountable, increases participation in democracy

Question 4

Should there be more referendums? (NO)

Answer 4

simplifies complex issues, encourages misinformation (eg Vote Leave claimed an extra £350mil would go to NHS), may lead to political apathy, only called by the government = not so direct democracy, undermines representative democracy, Tyranny of the Majority

Question 5

Referendums vs Elections

Answer 5

binary choice vote : many available options
vote on single issue : vote on wide range of policy issues
not legally binding : legally binding
called when government chooses : called at intervals by law

Question 6

Consequences of Referendums

Answer 6

Parliament is still sovereign therefore they aren’t legally binding
queries government sovereignty and representative democracy
increased use of referendums leads to an increased demand for them

Question 7

Recent Referendums: 1975

Answer 7

UK
63% turnout
‘Should the UK stay in the European Community (the Common Market)?’
Yes = 67%
No = 33%

Question 8

Recent Referendums: 1997

Answer 8

Scotland + Scotland
60% turnout
‘Should there be a Scottish parliament?’ + ‘Should a newly formed Scottish Parliament have tax-varying powers?’
Yes = 74% and 64%
No = 26% and 36%

Question 9

Recent Referendums: 1998

Answer 9

Northern Ireland
81% turnout
‘Approval of the Good Friday Agreement’
Yes = 71%
No = 29%

Question 10

Recent Referendums: 2011

Answer 10

UK
42% turnout
‘Should the UK replace FPTP with an Alternative Voting to elect MPs?’
Yes = 32%
No = 68%

Question 11

Recent Referendums: 2014

Answer 11

Scotland
84% turnout
‘Should Scotland be an independent country?’
Yes = 45%
No = 55%

Question 12

Recent Referendums: 2016

Answer 12

UK
72% turnout
‘Should the UK remain a member of the EU or leave the EU?’
Leave = 52%
Stay = 48%

Question 13

Case for a Second Scottish Independence Referendum

Answer 13

After Brexit, majority of Scotland voted Stay.
Scottish Nationalists debate if it would be better to be independent & in EU again.
June 2022 - Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland, calls for 2nd referendum.
UK government refuses - ‘issue already settled’
Scottish Parliament said they would do it regardless
Issue taken to Supreme Court - Nov 2022 = ruled for no 2nd referendum.