Electoral Systems - Topic 3.2

Question 1

Why would politicians call a referendum?

Answer 1

• A government might call a referendum in response to public pressure. In 2014, the government allowed a referendum on Socttish independence because of pressure from the SNP, and again in 2016 in response to UKIP on Brexit
• They can help to resolve controversial issues diving a party. By handing over responsibility to the people, a party can absolve itself of the decision making and avoid arguments between factions of the party
• A referendum might take place because of an agreement between parties, such as the AV referendum in 2011
• Referendums can lend legitimacy to constitutional changes. Referendums that have been held have all been on substantial issues that might affect the location of power and sovereignty

Question 2

What was the outcome for each referendum held since 1997?

Devolution, electoral systems, independence and memberships

Answer 2

• Scottish Devolution 1997 - 74%/26% - 60% tunrout - Yes
• Welsh Devolution 1997 - 50%/50% - 50% turnout - Yes
• Good Friday Agreement 1998 - 71%/29% - 81% turnout - Yes
• London Mayor 1998 - 72%/28% - 34% turnout - Yes
• Legislative Powers for Wales 2011 - 63%/37% - 36% turnout - Yes
• AV Referendum 2011 - 32%/68% - 42% turnout - No
• IndyRef 2014 - 45%/55% - 85% turnout - No
• Brexit 2016 - 52%/48% - 72% turnout - Leave

Question 3

What are the consequences of referenda on the UK?

Answer 3

Many referendums have resulted in notable political change. However, Parliament always remains sovereign, so government are not bound to follow the decision of the voters. This became a significant issue following the Brexit referendum. MPs such as Dominic Grieve claimed ‘the EU referendum was an advisory referendum’, whereas John Redwood would disagree. Parliamentary sovereignty means no referendum can truly be legally binding.

Even if Parliament passed a law saying that a referendum was legally binding, it could simply pass another to repeal this at a later date. The government is still under considerable pressure to follow the result of a referendum. Giving the public a choice and then ignoring the outcome casts questions of legitimacy and accountability of the government.

Question 4

What are the benefits of referendums for the UK?

Answer 4

• They can encourage participation and education, as shown in IndyRef and Brexit, which enhances legitmacy and consent in the political system
• They have provided a clear answer to political issues and the results have been successfully implemented, such as the creation of devolved bodies
• They have enhanced liberal democracy by serving as a way to limit the power of the government
• The management of referendums is overseen by the independent Electoral Commission in the same manner as elections. This limits government manipulation
• They have enhanced representation in the UK by allowing popular sovereignty to be directly expressed
• As an accepted constitutional convention, they provide another way in which the public can engage in politics between elections, and ensure a responsive government with a mandate to act
• As referendums are advisory, Parliament remains sovereign and can implement the decision in an effective manner. Although the public voted to leave the EU, Parliament decides on the manner of the withdrawal

Question 5

What are the disadvantages of referendums for the UK?

Answer 5

• Turnout for some referendums, such as the AV referendum, has been low, which undermines the legitimacy of the decision and the effectiveness of direct democracy
• Close results can be more divisive rather than settling an issue, as seen in Brexit and IndyRef
• The campaigns surrounding some referedums have been misleading, raising questions over the legitimacy of the result
• The government decides if and when to call a referendum, which concentrates power in the government rather than limiting it
• They have undermined representative democracy in the UK, challenging key principles of the Burkean principles in which elected representatives act in the best interests of the electorate on the basis of the consent given at an election
• The issues raised are often too complex to reduce to a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ choice, with voters lacking the necessary information to make a fully informed decision
• Parliamentary sovereignty is undermined in reality as, having offered a referendum, there is a lot of political pressure for the government to honour the will of the people