Double D's (direct democracy)

Question 1

What is a referendum

Answer 1

a vote where citizens decide on a political question

Question 2

are referendum results binding or advisory on parliament

Answer 2

advisory, however if the government doesn’t follow the public mandate they would face extreme backlash

Question 3

how much influence does Parliament and the government have over referendums?

Answer 3

-they decide whether a referendum will be held
- government can choose to avoid a referendum if they think it won’t sway in their favour

Question 4

what are initiatives?

Answer 4

when a group gather a required number of signatures to trigger a vote which changes the countries politics

Question 5

how are referendums different in America?

Answer 5

• legislative referendum in which the state legislator puts bills/ amendments up for a vote
• popular/veto referendum where voters collect signatures to vote on a passed bill

Question 6

what sort of issues are usually decided by referendum in the UK?

Answer 6

primarily for public approval for constitutional reforms, focus on changes to how our democracy works with regards to power

Question 7

what sort of issues are voted on in US initiatives and referendums?

Answer 7

vote on constitutional issues or social issues (wages, gay marriage, legalisation of weed, etc)

Question 8

why has the use of referendums increase since 1997?

Answer 8

in 1997 labour wanted to make more substantial constitutional reforms, decided having a more educated electorate would vote in more referendums