3.2 referendums and how they are used

Question 1

What is a referendum?

Answer 1

a vote on a particular issue, usually requiring a yes/no response

Question 2

When was the first national referendum in the UK and what was it on?

Answer 2

June 1975 - a vote on whether to stay in the European Economic Community

Question 3

When was the Brexit referendum?

Answer 3

June 2016

Question 4

What was the Brexit referendum?

Answer 4

whether or not Britain would leave the EU

Question 5

What occurred after the Brexit referendum?

Answer 5

• Britain left the EU
• change of prime minister to Theresa May

Question 6

Who regulates the conduct of referendums?

Answer 6

Electoral Commission

Question 7

What is the Electoral Commission responsible for in referendums?

Answer 7

• checking the wording of the referendum question
• monitors expenditure by the rival campaigning groups
• designates one approved ‘lead campaign organisation’ on each side

Question 8

In what circumstances is a referendum held?

Answer 8

• legitimising a major government
• getting a government out of a difficult situation
• a result of a deal between political parties
• in response to pressure to hold a referendum

Question 9

How does holding a referendum get governments out of difficult situations?

Answer 9

by handing the decision to the people it can maintain its unity

Question 10

Why did Harold Wilson hold a referendum in 1975?

Answer 10

his party was split between pro- and anti-European factions

Question 11

How many national and regional referendums have been held in the UK since 1997?

Answer 11

10

Question 12

Why did David Cameron hold a vote on changing the electoral system for Westminster?

Answer 12

it was a demand of the Lib Dems, as part of the coalition agreement establishing the government in May 2010

Question 13

Why did Cameron hold the Brexit referendum?

Answer 13

• growing pressures from backbenchers
• fears there could be a possible loss of conservative voters to UKIP

Question 14

What are the main reasons for referendums?

Answer 14

• involve the people directly in decision-making
• they are a check on the UK’s ‘elective dictatorship’
• settle arguments and entrench reforms
• raise voters political awareness
• conduct of referendums has been subject to independent supervision by the Electoral Commission since 2000

Question 14

What are the main reasons against referendums?

Answer 14

• challenge to parliamentary sovereignty
• if arguments are not explained clearly to the public, participation may be low
• governments choose whether or not to call a referendum
• low turnout has been the norm
• outcomes of referendums can be influenced by factors that have nothing to do with the subject put before the electorate

Question 15

How did the Scottish referendum raise voters political awareness?

Answer 15

it gave an opportunity to air a wide range of issues related to independence, which included the impact on the economy and Scotlands relationship with the EU

Question 16

How does independent supervision by the Electoral Commission help referendums?

Answer 16

reduces the chance that the result will be skewed as a result of unfair influence

Question 17

What was the defeat of the Alternative Vote referendum affected by?

Answer 17

the unpopularity of the Liberal Democrats