Electoral Systems- Referendums Flashcards
what is a referendum?
vote on a single issue put to a public ballot by the government, usually in the form of a simple yes/no question
how many referendums does Switzerland have a year on average
4
what did clement attlee say about them
“tool of demagogues and dictators” and “a device so alien to all our traditions”
what is an initiative
when ordinary citizens can call a public ballot on their own question which would then trigger a referendum
what is an recent example of an initiative
California proposition 2008 which banned same sex marriage
When are they used in the UK
they can occur when a major constitutional change needs to be legitimised (brexit)
what did AV dicey call them
Peoples veto
what are the 5 things that need to be considered for a referendum
Topic, wording, timing, funding, turnout
when was the referendum to remain in the EEC (EU)
1975
when was the referendum to offer AV
2011
what are other kinds of referendums that have been held around the world
legalisation of marijuana, rights of aborigines etc
what are the UK referendums mostly focused on
distribution of power between supranational, national and subnational institutions (10 out of the 11 between 1973 and 2012)
What are the two more recent major referendums in the uk
Scottish independence 2014
EU referendum 2016
what were the results of the 1975 EEC referendum?
67.2% stay in, 32.8% leave, turnout 63.2%
what were the results of the results on the devolution of powers referendum(s) to Scotland and wales 1979?
scotland: 51.6% yes
