9. What are the arguments against the use of referendums? Flashcards
Why do turnout levels undermine the results of many referendums?
Referendum turnout is often very low, resulting in a very questionable mandate
Greater London Authority Referendum 1998 – 72% voted in favour of a new Greater London Authority, headed by an elected mayor, but turnout was only 34%, meaning only 24.5% of the electorate voted in favour of the reforms
What is voter fatigue?
Voter Fatigue – a lack of interest in upcoming elections and referendums. This can be experienced when citizens are required to vote too often
Why have some critics joked that the issue of Scottish independence is a ‘neverendum’?
2014 Scottish Independence Referendum (should Scotland be an independent country):
- Yes – 45%
- No – 55%
45% of people in Scotland wanted to be an independent country and probably aren’t going to stop campaigning for it.
In the 2015 GE, the pro-independence SNP won 56 of Scotland’s 59 seats
Why are ‘Yes/No’ referendums often more complicated that they appear?
There is often not a full understanding from the public of what the referendum question could actually entail.
How can the government influence the outcome of referendums?
Labour’s 2005 manifesto said:
“The [Constitutional Treaty] is a good treaty for Britain and for the new Europe. We will put it to the British people in a referendum and campaign whole-heartedly for a ‘Yes’ vote to keep Britain a leading nation in Europe.”
But after voters in France and the Netherlands voted ‘No’ in May and June 2005, plans for a referendum were put on hold. By 2008, the Constitutional Treaty and been replaced by the new Lisbon Treaty, (which made many of the same reforms), but was argued to be sufficiently different to not warrant a referendum.
Why do some critics argue that referendums can become opinion polls for some voters?
The Alternative Vote was supported by the Liberal Democrat Party, which, at the time of the vote, was facing a huge drop in support. The ‘NO’ campaign argued that voting against AV would punish the Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg for supporting plans to increase university tuition fees, despite a manifesto promise to oppose any changes. Many voters may have opposed the Alternative Vote to punish Nick Clegg.
Why can it be argued that political issues should be left to elected representatives, rather than self-interest voters?
Some people would argue:
Citizens –> Vote –> Self Interest
Representatives –> Vote –> National Interest
Why is the cost of running, and campaigning in, referendums an issue?
It cost over £75 million to hold the 2011 AV referendum:
- Groups campaigning for a YES vote spent £2,209,749
- Groups campaigning for a NO vote spent £3,472,213
During the 1975 European Communities Membership Referendum, the ‘yes’ campaign vastly outspent the ‘no’ campaign. It had significant financial support from businesses with a financial interest in remaining in the EEC
