ETVT referendums have a positive impact on democracy and politics in the uk

Question 1

LOA

Answer 1

good for democracy

Question 2

1.for- benefit rep democracy

Answer 2

involves the people between elections
2014
single issue isolated
unambiguous popular vote
2016
public disagreed with parliament 76% of MP called for remain
pro brexit MOS elected post ref
govt less remote and accountable
check on elective dictatorships
electoral commission regulates results and wording
2016

Question 3

1.no- challenges rep democracy

Answer 3

sovereignty
ill informed electorate
elect reps on our behalf until 1970’s
complex issues lack expertise
2016 campaigns electoral commission arguments by leaders included distortion
more reg. needed
350 mil to nhs
sovereignty and parliament 75% wanting to remain
second ref in parliament
divisive and defined politics

Question 4

2.for- refs are held due to public pressure

Answer 4

increase legitimacy
democratic
proper rep.
2014 indy ref due to rise in SNP support
and polling
2016 EU due to rise in UKIP
EU parliament around 30% of the vote
since blair there has been many refs on key constitutional issues
gives devolved bodies legitimacy

Question 5

2.against- parties with ulterior motives negative for democracy

Answer 5

benefit party over people
2016 aided Cameron
and Conservative Party
2015 rise of skip threatened some of conservative electorate
sometimes used to pass an important policy
2011 LD 68% against
can call when and how they want
should be more regulation
should only be for key constitutional issues

Question 6

3.for- engage voters and increase political awareness

Answer 6

especially true in terms of two most recent referendums
scotland 2014 eg impact of economy independence and trident
68% TO and 17 and 16 year olds voted
brecit and 73% TO
many who were disillusioned with trad political processes voted and felt like their vote would matter
educated on sovereignty and trade

Question 7

3.no- doesn’t engage voters and leads to protest votes

Answer 7

many referendums have a low TO
which leads to legitimacy of the result being questioned
2011 AV vote 42%
1997 welsh devolution 50.3% yes and 50.1% no and 2011 further welsh devolution TO WAS 36%
it can be said that people who do TO do so to protest the party of the day
bad for democracy as high consequential changes can be made due factors entirely different to those of the present day
eg brexit referndum many who voted did so because they felt left behind by the uk political system and channeled this into anti EU sentiments
AV in 2011 reflected going against LD since 2010 for going against tuition fee scrap