3.2 Referendums and how they are used

Question 1

why call a referendum

why call a referendum?

Answer 1

1. in response to a public issue eg. Scottish Independence in 2014 and EU 2016 referendums
2. Interparty divisions - Eu 2016 ‘brexiteers’ vs ‘remainers’ although after this was decided there were further divides over which type of brexit to have
3. agreement between parties: AV referendum in 2011 was because of the lib dems and conservative agreement.
4. constitutional changes - might affect location of sovereignty (except supreme court creation)

Question 2

consequences of referendums in the UK

consequences of referendums in the UK

Answer 2

legally binding because parliament is sovereign.
- MP dominic grieve claimed the EU referendum was an ‘advisory referendum’
- MP John Redwood claimed the opposite

but, the government is under considerable pressure from the public. Ignoring referendum results brings us to question the accountability of the government

Question 3

consequences of referendums in the uk

EU referendum. Why was it controversial?

Answer 3

LOADS OF REASONS but both sides were not truthful in their campaigning. Was it really the ‘will of the people?’

Question 4

main examples

main examples: 2011

Answer 4

FPTP replacement
68% voted no.

Question 5

main examples

2011 (wales)

Question 6

main examples

2014

Answer 6

scottish independence referendum
55% no - 84.6% turnout, 16/17 year olds could vote.

Question 7

main examples

2016

Answer 7

public vote on leaving the EU. turnout 72.2%. 52% to 48% yes vs no.
- binary choice stupid fuckers
- most only educated by campaigns which were fuckign lies.

Question 8

are referendums good for the UK?

yes.

Answer 8

• encourages participation in politics
• enhances legitimacy
• limits on government enhances democracy
• popular sovereignty can be directly expressed :D

Question 9

are referendums good for the uk?

no

Answer 9

• turnout low. are results really legitimate?
• close results divide rather than settle
• campaigns have been misleading
• government decides when to call one
• challenges the burkean principle that representatives should act in THEIR best conscience.
• complex issues should not be reduced to yes/no
• parliamentary soveriegnty undermined because of public pressure to enact the result of a referendum