Referendums

Question 1

what are referendums examples of?

Answer 1

Referendums are examples of direct democracy within a representative system

Question 2

differences between elections and referendums

Answer 2

Elections are voting for a representative to make decisions on their behalf

whereas Referendums are people making a direct decision for themselves (E.g. Brexit — leave or remain in the EU)

Elections are officially held every five years (Bylaw the 2011 fixed term parliament act has set the date for general elections at five year intervals)

whereas referendums are whenever the party in power wants them to be held, they are at the discretion of the government

Elections are on a range of different policy issues not just a single question like referendums are

Question 3

what is a referendum?

Answer 3

A referendum is a vote on a single issue in which all registered electors are eligible to take part

it usually requires a yes or no response

Question 4

traditional UK views on referendums:

Answer 4

There was suspicion about referendums and plebiscites

Largely because referendums were associated with European style politics

They also threatened to undermine Parliamentary democracy and sovereignty

Labour Prime Minister Clement Attlee (1945 to 51) claimed that the referendum was an “alien” device because it has “too often been associated with fascism and Nazism”

Question 5

are referendums legally binding?

Answer 5

Referendums are not legally binding, they are advisory and Parliament does not have to enforce the outcome or even hold a referendum at all (it is not a legal requirement it is a political choice)

However it is unlikely that they will ignore what the public has chosen Or ignore demands for a referendum to be held

Question 6

reasons for referendums

Answer 6

Party infighting — E.g. if a party is divided on a major issue such as Europe, Referendums can be used to settle divides within a party on issues such as the EU

Public should have a say in major constitutional changes — The government must gain approval or disapproval from the public before making huge constitutional changes, there is an expectation that referendums are required for constitutional reforms such as devolution, expected that a referendum will be held when an important and possibly irreversible change is being contemplated

Question 7

which administration did referendums grow under?

Answer 7

Referendums were popular with new Labour

when they came into power in 1997 referendums became more common and were a rarity before this

Question 8

what do referendums now have?

Answer 8

Referendums now have official recognition

since 2000 the electoral commission have been in charge of regulating them

e.g. checking the wording of the question to ensure it is objective, monitoring expenditure on both sides of the campaign, etc

Question 9

how many referendums has Switzerland held?

Answer 9

Switzerland has held over 600 referendums

Question 10

referendums in the UK

Answer 10

1973 Northern Ireland were asked whether they wanted to stay in the UK this was the first referendum known to the UK

1975 first national referendum a vote on whether the UK should stay in the EEC

1997 Devolution to Scotland that led to the establishment of a Scottish parliament

2011 change to AV as an electoral system for elections in Westminster

2014 Scottish independence referendum

2016 Brexit vote to remain or leave the EU, decision to leave the EU would not have occurred if it had been left to Parliament

Question 11

national referendums in the UK

Answer 11

There have only been three national referendums held in the UK

The only national referendums held have been the 1975 EEC membership vote, the 2011 AV vote and the 2016 Brexit vote

The first national referendum was held in 1975 — Labour under Harold Wilson held a referendum on whether the UK should stay in the EEC

1975 first UK national referendum held by Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson on whether the UK should stay in the EEC (now known as the EU)

Question 12

in what circumstances are referendums held? why are they held?

LEGITIMISING A MAJOR GOVERNMENT INITIATIVE

Answer 12

Legitimising a major government initiative

Since the Blair government it has become accepted practice to secure public support via a referendum before making an important and possibly irreversible constitutional change

For example the 1997 referendum on devolution to Scotland and Wales (devolution has been given public approval via referendums) and the 1998 Good Friday agreement in Northern Ireland

Question 13

in what circumstances are referendums held? why are they held?

GETTING A GOVERNMENT OUT OF A DIFFICULT SITUATION

Answer 13

Getting a government out of a difficult situation

referendums are Often used when a government faces serious internal disagreement

they hand the decision to the people so they can maintain their unity and avoid arguments between them

For example Harold Wilson held a referendum in 1975 because his party was split between pro and anti EU factions

if he had left it to Parliament to make a decision Or insisted that the government take a particular position on the issue then he would have faced damaging resignations from ministers on the other side

Question 14

in what circumstances are referendums held? why are they held?

RESULT OF A DEAL BETWEEN POLITICAL PARTIES

Answer 14

Result of a deal between political parties

David Cameron agreed to hold a vote on changing the electoral system for Westminster from FPTP to AV because this was a demand of the Liberal Democrats as part of the coalition government in 2010

Question 15

in what circumstances are referendums held? why are they held?

PRESSURE TO HOLD A REFERENDUM

Answer 15

Pressure to hold a referendum

Cameron did not initially want to hold an EU referendum, he joined forces with the Liberal Democrats and labour in 2011 to defeat Conservative backbenchers who were pressing for a referendum

In 2013 he began to fear the possible loss of Conservative voters to UKIP If he refused to hold a referendum so he announced that he would hold a referendum on the EU if re-elected in 2015

He was re-elected and did hold a EU referendum

his remain campaign was defeated and shortly after he resigned as prime minister

Question 16

arguments for referendums: DIRECT DEMOCRACY

Answer 16

Referendums are an example of direct democracy because they involve the people directly in decision-making on important issues

They demonstrate the pure will of the people by isolating a single issue and reaching a popular verdict

Referendums achieve this in ways that elections cannot because many issues such as Britain’s membership of the EU cut across party lines with pro and anti EU politicians in all major parties

This ensures that the public’s views and interests are properly and accurately articulated instead of being distorted by Politicians with their own interests And agendas

The electorate has the right to be consulted before an important and possibly irreversible change is made, especially since trust in politicians is low and many questions are too important to be left to them

Constitutional changes should be backed by the public as they change the way the country is governed

Question 17

arguments for referendums: UNAMBIGUOUS POPULAR VERDICT

Answer 17

Enables an unambiguous popular verdict to be given

Isolates a single issue giving a clear outcome that helps advise politicians

Constitutional changes should have the backing of the public as they change the way the country is governed consent of the people is vital

Insures democratic legitimacy

Question 18

arguments for referendums: PREVENTS A REMOTE AND UNACCOUNTABLE GOVERNMENT

Answer 18

Prevents a remote and unaccountable government, prevents what Lord Hailsham called an “elective dictatorship”

by giving people the opportunity to have their say Between elections, referendums allow the public to express opinions directly to the government more frequently which prevents the government from being remote and accountable

Holding referendums between elections allows the public to express their opinions more frequently preventing the government from becoming remote and unaccountable (elective dictatorship)

Makes the government more responsive by forcing them to listen to public opinion between elections on a single issue which is hard to achieve via elections

it also prevents them from rushing through change without consulting the people or gaining their support, therefore acting as a check on government power

Question 19

arguments for referendums: RESOLVE CONFLICTS AND SETTLE ARGUMENTS

Answer 19

Referendums resolve conflicts and settle arguments

Referendums give unambiguous popular verdict and clear outcomes that advice politicians on the best course of action as well as settling arguments by demonstrating clear public support

For example the referendum in Northern Ireland on the good Friday agreement in 1998 helped mend rifts in society by showing clear support the agreement — 71% voted in support of it And the turnout was also very high, giving the decision democratic legitimacy

The agreement helped to end the decades of violence seen between the unionists and nationalists communities by creating a power-sharing devolved body where both sides are equally represented and there is no single party domination

Unambiguous verdicts also ensure democratic legitimacy, in the 2014 Scottish independence referendum 85% of people voted and 55% voted to remain this gave a clear outcome and reflected how most people felt

Settle arguments and entrench reforms they do this by demonstrating clear public support for a change

Such a change can be reversed but is usually unlikely to be if the majority of the people were in favour

For example Scottish parliament, clear support helped bring stability to it

1998 Belfast agreement, decisive result helped mend rifts in society

Question 20

arguments for referendums: RAISE POLITICAL

AWARENESS

Answer 20

Referendums help raise political awareness and widen the opportunities for political participation (Referendum sometimes have very high turnout)

Referendums raise political awareness and widen opportunities for political participation and allow for through debate on particular topics therefore creating a more informed and educated and engaged electorate

allow thorough debates on particular issues and topics, Especially since people are more informed than they have ever been due to the Internet and social media

Therefore creating a more informed educated and engaged electorate

For example the Scottish independence referendum in 2014 was praised for giving an opportunity to air a wide range of issues related to independence such as the impact on the economy the EU et cetera all of which were thoroughly debated

People are becoming more informed than they have ever been due to the Internet and social media

this could combat the participation crisis in the UK because one of the reasons why people do not vote is due to being uninformed And feeling that they cannot cast a vote because of this

Question 21

arguments for referendums: ELECTORAL COMMISSION

Answer 21

The electoral commission is an independent body that supervises and regulates the conduct of referendums and has been doing so since 2000

It does this by checking the wording of the question limiting the expenditure of competing sites et cetera which reduces the chances of a skewed result due to unfair influence

Question 22

arguments against referendums: CHALLENGES PARLIAMENTARY SOVEREIGNTY

Answer 22

Referendums challenge Parliamentary sovereignty

Voters elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf and this is their job this has been the accepted way of doing things up until the 1970s

Ordinary people do not have the expertise to make complex decisions (for example whether Britain should join the euro) and so this should be left to Parliament

Referendums undermine Parliamentary sovereignty, voters elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf and this has been the accepted way of doing things up until the 1970s

It undermines Parliamentary sovereignty and representative democracy as it is the role of representatives in parliament to make important decisions about how the country is run

Ordinary people do not have the expertise to make such complex decisions and so this should be left to Parliament as politicians are more likely to adopt a rational approach rather than letting emotions cloud judgement — E.g. in 2016 many voted to leave due to fears of immigration and the perceived dangers to British values and also out of dislike for the Cameron government

Question 23

arguments against referendums: ILL INFORMED DECISIONS

Answer 23

Referendums often result in ill-informed decisions

The general public do not have enough expertise to make complex decisions

The general public do not possess enough knowledge to make complicated decisions, compare to elected politicians they are uninformed poorly educated on political matters and lack the experience which could lead to a poor decision being made

compared to elected politicians they are Illinformed poorly educated and lack political experience which could lead to a poor decision or outcome being made

Such decisions should be carefully deliberated and debated by political experts rather than left to the general public, who are comparatively uninformed And often make decisions Based too much on emotion and not enough on facts and logic

For example the consequence of leaving the EU in 2016, many argue it should’ve been carefully deliberated and debated by experts rather than being handed to the public

This can arguably be seen to have happened in the Brexit referendum with the consequence of this referendum being that we are now leaving the EU

Another instance of an ill informed decision is the defeat of AV in 2011 a major factor of this defeat could be the unpopularity of the Liberal Democrats at the time

E.g. in 2011 the AV proposal was defeated — a factor in this could be due to the unpopularity of the Liberal Democrats

this demonstrates that the way people vote often has nothing to do with the actual subject, they may vote in a certain way as a protest against the government of the day

The public relies on the media for information which can be dubious and often inaccurate, people can be swayed by false information like the Leave campaign’s pledge to divert millions of pounds from the EU back into the NHS, which was not Accurate information

Question 24

arguments against referendums: IRRESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT

Answer 24

Irresponsible government

Referendums allow the government to hand over responsibility for making a decision to the electorate

Governments are elected to govern and should be making policy decisions to which they can be held accountable

Question 25

arguments against referendums: UNRELIABLE VIEWS

Answer 25

Unreliable views

Referendums only provide a snapshot of public opinion from one point in time

Views change over time, Particularly when new information comes to light and the consequences of voting a particular way are made clear

so referendums are an unreliable guide to public interests especially when they regard constitutional changes which can have long-term and sometimes irreversible implications

Referendums only provide a snapshot view of public opinion from one point in time, views change over time which means referendums tend to be an unreliable guide to public interest

This is especially problematic when they regard constitutional changes which can have long-term and even irreversible implications

voters may change their minds after realising the implications of their decision

for example in 2016 there were no detailed plans or proposals set out describing what might happen if the UK was to leave the EU and after the vote many expressed regret at their choice, admitting that they did not realise the implications of their vote and some even voted as a protest against the Cameron government

Question 26

arguments against referendums: UNCLEAR ARGUMENTS

Answer 26

referendums can lead to an unrepresentative outcome if the arguments are not explained clearly to the public

This can also result in low popular participation — Low turnout decreases the decisions legitimacy for example in the 1997 Welsh devolution voter turnout was barely above 50% which cast a shadow over the new assembly for some time

This was a factor in the low turnout for the 2011 electoral reform referendum — both sides failed to clearly explain their arguments which did not give the public enough knowledge to cast an informed vote

The electorate can also be swayed by false information

If arguments all opposing sides are not explained clearly to the public then this could lead to an unrepresentative outcome as people are not hearing the whole debate

unclear arguments could also lead to low turnout which decreases the decisions legitimacy — for example turn out in the 1997 Welsh devolution referendum was barely above 50% which cast a shadow over the new assembly for a while as many viewed it as not having enough public backing to be considered legitimate

unclear arguments were a factor in the 2011 electoral reform referendum, both sides failed to clearly explain their arguments which did not give the public enough knowledge to cast an informed vote

In the 2016 Brexit referendum campaigning only lasted five months and in between this was many local and devolved elections, this was not enough time for both campaigns to clearly outline their cases and allow voters to reach a knowledgeable decision

Question 27

arguments against referendums: GOVERNMENTS CHOOSE WHEN TO HOLD REFERENDUMS

Answer 27

Governments choose when to hold referendums which gives them the power to ignore the electorate

Government to choose when to hold a referendum which allows them to ignore the public because referendums are at their discretion

For example in 2007 Labour denied the public a say on the Lisbon Treaty which gave significant authority to the EU the opposition were out raged that the electorate had been denied the ability to give their opinion

For example Blair and Brown denied the public a say on the 2007 Lisbon Treaty, which gave significant authority to the EU

The opposition were out raged that the electorate was denied this

Furthermore this sometimes means referendums are used solely for the governments own political purposes and when they find it politically convenient to do so, they may want to diffuse opposition or overcome differences within the party rather than actually wanting to consult the public

For example Cameron help the Brexit referendum to appease Eurosceptics within the Conservative party but also out of fear of losing voters to UKIP, not because he believed the public was demanding it or deserved a say

Because referendums are at the governments discretion this also means they can be used for their own political purposes

Governments sometimes hold referendum solely for their own purposes possibly to diffuse opposition or overcome differences within a party

As seen in 2016 when David Cameron held an EU referendum to diffuse disagreements between the Conservatives and in fear of losing voters to UKIP

Question 28

arguments against referendums: DO NOT END DISPUTES

Answer 28

referendums do not always and disputes or divisions especially if the difference between the majority and minority of votes is very slim

Only 52% voted to leave in 2016 there was not a supermajority of public approval which resulted in many campaigning for a second referendum to confirm the decision or come to a new one now that we are more clear on the implications of leaving the EU

In September 2017, thousands backed a petition calling for a second referendum on the EU withdrawal proposed to take place ahead of the 2019 exit date

The same referendum has also given rise to the issue of Scottish independence again — 62% of Scots voted to remain in the EU and are demanding another referendum on independence so they can choose to stay in the EU by leaving the UK

Can actually cause social rifts and divisions between people with differing views

for example in the 2016 EU referendum

Question 29

arguments against referendums: TYRANNY OF THE MAJORITY

Answer 29

Tyranny of the majority — the majority that wins the vote can use their victory to force the minority to accept a change which is against their interests

For example in 2016 Scotland voted strongly in favour of remaining in the EU (62%) but felt tyrannised by the English majority

Question 30

arguments against referendums: COMPLICATED ISSUES

Answer 30

Some questions are too complicated to be reduced to a yes or no answer

for example the 2011 AV vote

Question 31

arguments against referendums: THE ELECTORATE CANNOT BE TRUSTED TO MAKE OBJECTIVE DECISIONS

Answer 31

The way people vote in referendums can be influenced by factors such as dislike for the government of the day — Uninformed unreliable outcomes

Can the people really be allowed to make such important decisions via referendums if they let personal prejudice get in the way and cloud their judgements?

as in 2011

Question 32

the Electoral Commission

Answer 32

Regulates the conduct of referendums since 2000

An independent body

Checks the wording of questions to ensure they are as objective as possible — For example in 2016 the government originally proposed to ask “should the UK remain in the EU?” but the commission considered this to be insufficiently neutral and insisted the ballot should ask “should the UK remain or leave the EU?”

Monitors expenditure of rival campaigning groups

Designates one approved lead campaign organisation on each side — For example in 2016 the official campaigns were Vote Leave and Britain Stronger in Europe, this entitled the groups to receive a predetermined amount of public spending

Question 33

referendum results: 1997 SCOTTISH DEVOLUTION REFERENDUM

Answer 33

1997 devolution to Scotland establishment of a Scottish government

Yes 74.3%

No 25.7%

Turn out 60.4%

Question 34

referendum results: 1997 WELSH DEVOLUTION REFERENDUM

Answer 34

1997 devolution to Wales establishment of a Welsh assembly

Yes 50.3%

No 49.7%

Turn out 50.1%

Question 35

referendum results: 1998 GOOD FRIDAY AGREEMENT REFERENDUM

Answer 35

1998 approval of Good Friday agreement in Northern Ireland

Yes 71.1%

No 28.9%

Turn out 81%

Question 36

referendum results: 2011 AV REFERENDUM

Answer 36

2011 electoral system change from FPTP to AV

Yes 32.1%

No 67.9%

Turn out 42.2%

Question 37

referendum results: 2014 SCOTTISH INDEPENDENCE REFERENDUM

Answer 37

2014 Scottish independence referendum

Yes 44.7%

No 55.3%

Turn out 84. 6%

Question 38

referendum results: 2016 BREXIT REFERENDUM

Answer 38

2016 Brexit referendum remain or leave the EU

Yes remain 48.1%

No leave 51. 9%

Turn out 72.2%

Question 39

discussions on referendums in light of what happened in the 2016 EU referendum: JOHN CURTICE, THE GUARDIAN

Answer 39

“We needn’t ditch referendums. But we should lay down some ground rules” — John Curtice, The Guardian (2016)

Question 40

discussions on referendums in light of what happened in the 2016 EU referendum: JOHN CURTICE, THE GUARDIAN

Answer 40

There were four features of the EU referendum that gave cause for concern

not only was the referendum only held because David Cameron found it politically convenient to do so in order to calm the internal divisions on the EU within his own party and out of fear of voters turning to support UKIP

Question 41

discussions on referendums in light of what happened in the 2016 EU referendum: JOHN CURTICE, THE GUARDIAN

Answer 41

But the campaign period was relatively short too

it lasted only five months and in between this with many local and devolved elections

this was not enough time to clearly outline both sides of the argument and allow voters to come to an informed decision

Question 42

discussions on referendums in light of what happened in the 2016 EU referendum: JOHN CURTICE, THE GUARDIAN

Answer 42

Thirdly, voters were being encouraged to endorse the status quo (i.e. keep everything as it is)

which meant there was no detailed proposals or plans set out describing what might happen if voters did decide to leave the EU — the electorate did not have enough knowledge or information

Question 43

discussions on referendums in light of what happened in the 2016 EU referendum: JOHN CURTICE, THE GUARDIAN

Answer 43

Also holding the referendum did not end dispute or division, the result was very close and many are campaigning for another vote

Question 44

discussions on referendums in light of what happened in the 2016 EU referendum: JOHN CURTICE, THE GUARDIAN

Answer 44

However referendums have been used during the last 40 years and settle how we should be governed by reaching crucial decisions

voters are up to the task of giving their verdict and the consent of the people should be sought when major constitutional change is being proposed

Overall referendums should still be used but some systematic rules should be set down in order to control and regulate them

Question 45

discussions on referendums in light of what happened in the 2016 EU referendum: URI FRIEDMAN, THE ATLANTIC

Answer 45

“Should the Brexit vote have happened at all?” — Uri Friedman, The Atlantic (2016)

Question 46

discussions on referendums in light of what happened in the 2016 EU referendum: URI FRIEDMAN, THE ATLANTIC

Answer 46

David Cameron held the vote to appease right-wing Eurosceptics in his own party not because he believed in the vote or felt the public was demanding it

he campaigned for Britain to remain in the EU but this backfired when the majority (almost 52%) of people voted to leave

Question 47

discussions on referendums in light of what happened in the 2016 EU referendum: URI FRIEDMAN, THE ATLANTIC

Answer 47

Another reason it should not have happened is that the public had no business deciding whether to remain in the EU or not

The issue was much too complex and they did not have the knowledge or expertise to make an informed decision especially since the result would have huge implications and consequences

Incorrect information such as the leave campaign pledge to divert millions of pounds from the EU back into the NHS influenced many voters despite this information being inaccurate

Question 48

discussions on referendums in light of what happened in the 2016 EU referendum: URI FRIEDMAN, THE ATLANTIC

Answer 48

Many people regretted their vote to leave, did not actually know what they were voting for and mainly voted leave as a protest against the Cameron government

The referendum should have been taken more seriously by having a detailed plan for leaving

Question 49

discussions on referendums in light of what happened in the 2016 EU referendum: URI FRIEDMAN, THE ATLANTIC

Answer 49

Brexit simply required a majority vote to leave instead of having a clear supermajority of public approval

A second referendum to confirm the decision or a majority in parliament supporting it, which it should have since it is a very huge constitutional change with long-standing consequences

However it should still seek the publics opinion

Question 50

discussions on referendums in light of what happened in the 2016 EU referendum: URI FRIEDMAN, THE ATLANTIC

Answer 50

Rogoff’s main view is not that democracy is the problem but that the Brexit referendum “isn’t democracy; it is Russian roulette for republics”