Chapter 3 - Referendums (NOT FINAL) Flashcards
When was a referendum held on UK membership of the European Community?
1975
When had the UK joined the European Community?
1973
When was the next national referendum held after 1975?
2011
What are the 2 recent ground-breaking referendums that have established the device as part of the UK Constitution?
- 2014 Scottish Independence
- 2016 BREXIT
What is a referendum?
A vote in response to a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ question.
Why might a referendum be used to settle a question rather than elected representatives?
- The issue may be of Constitutional importance so the people should decide.
- The issue may cause so much conflict within the political system that a referendum is the only way of resolving it.
- Can solve conflict within society (1998 Belfast Agreement).
When was a referendum held in Scotland on devolving powers and creating a Parliament?
1997
Why was the referendum on Scottish devolution held in 1997?
It was of constitutional significance so needed popular consent.
What was the turnout for the 1997 Scottish referendum?
60%
How many people voted in favour of a Scottish Parliament and devolved powers in 1997?
74.3%
Why was a Welsh Assembly created and not a Parliament?
Only 50% voted in favour on a 50% turnout.
Why was a referendum on introducing the alternative vote system held?
- It was part of the Lib Dem’s manifesto.
- The coalition government was divided on the issue.
- It was a major change to the political system.
How many people voted against introducing AV in 2011?
67.9%
When was a referendum held on adopting the Belfast Agreement in NI?
1998
Are the results of referendums legally binding?
No, but it is unthinkable they would be ignored.
What does the Electoral Commission do during referendum campaigns?
- They regulate the expenditure on campaigns to ensure each side spends approximately the same.
- They ensure that both sides do not issue false information.
Who decides what issues should be put to a referendum vote in the UK?
The government and Parliament; in the USA the public have the ability to trigger a referendum.
What are the differences between referendums and elections?
- Referendums are on single issues.
- Referendums just ask for a simply ‘yes’ or ‘no’ whereas elections have more varied outcomes.
- Elections are meant to happen at regular intervals.
What is the crucial similarity between elections and referendums?
They both grant legitimacy to decisions, granting authority to implement something.
How do governments tend to use referendums?
To secure direct consent for policies they would have introduced themselves.
Why should a government only hold a referendum if they are confident they will win?
If they were to lose it would be a severe blow to their authority, as happened to David Cameron.
What did the result of the Scottish Independence referendum lead to?
Greater powers devolved to the Scottish Parliament.
How did the Scots vote in the 2016 EU referendum?
62% voted to remain.
What are the arguments in favour of using referendums?
- Purest form of democracy.
- They can mend rifts in society.
- Solve conflicts in the political system.
- People are more informed now.
What are the arguments against using referendums?
- Issues may be too complex.
- Cause social rifts.
- Tyranny of the majority.
- Voters may be swayed by emotions and false information.
- Reduces complex issues to simple binaries (2011)
What are the advantages of representative democracy when making key decisions as opposed to referendums?
- Representatives are not swayed by emotion.
- Elected politicians have advisors to help them make informed decisions.
- Representatives have to consider all interests whereas voters only consider themselves.
What are the advantages of representative democracy when making key decisions as opposed to referendums?
- Representatives are not swayed by emotion.
- Elected politicians have advisors to help them make informed decisions.
- Representatives have to consider all interests whereas voters only consider themselves.
