Referendums Flashcards
What are referendums? - Referendums
Referendums are issue-based votes granted to regions or the whole electorate on important changes.
When have nationwide referendums been held in the UK and over what issues? - Referendums
1975 - Remaining in or leaving the EEC
2011 - Changing the electoral system to AV from FPTP
2016 - Remaining in or leaving the EU
What examples have there been of regional referendums in the UK? - Referendums
1997 - Scottish Parliament Referendum
1998 - Northern Ireland Good Friday Agreement Referendum
1998 - Welsh Assembly Referendum
2004 - North East Regional Development Centre
Are a Government legally obliged to recognise and implement the result of a referendum? - Referendums
Referendums have non-binding results, with a Government therefore not legally obliged to implement its outcome. However, a Government is expected to always carry out their results as they are a direct mandate from the people.
What is a constitution? - Referendums
A constitution is a legal framework outlining how a country should be governed.
Since 1997, what sort of changes to the UK have been put to referendum? - Referendums
Since 1997, the UK Government has tended to put constitutional changes to referendum.
What arguments are there in favour of referendum use? - Referendums
Referendums directly represent the will of the people, they can mend societal rifts, can solve difficult political issues within parties, give a clear and decisive outcome, mean the people can be more informed to directly make political decisions.
What arguments are there against referendum use? - Referendums
Referendums can be divisive if the result is marginal, the people may not understand the impacts of their political decisions, referendums can undermine representative democracy, can result in tyranny of the majority, can be swayed by false information, overly simplify complex and nuanced decisions.
How have referendums been used to legitimise a government initiative? When has this been done? - Referendums
Referendums mean constitutional change can be given a decisive mandate by the electorate which the government can see as approval and legitimacy. This has been seen in 1997/98 devolution referendums.
How have referendums been used to get a government out of a difficult situation? When has this been done? - Referendums
Referendums can solve infighting within a governing party through a decision by the electorate, meaning the governing party can absolve itself of the decision making. This has been seen with the 2016 Brexit Referendum, which had split the Conservative Party.
How have referendums been used as a result of a deal between parties? When has this been done? - Referendums
Referendums can solve disagreements between 2 parties by putting it to a vote by the people. This was seen in 2011 with the AV Referendum as part of the coalition agreement. With no party granted a mandate to govern alone, this allowed the electorate to decide this disagreement’s outcome.
How have referendums been used in response to public pressure? When has this been done?- Referendums
Referendums can be used in response to public pressure, with people wishing to have a vote on a certain issue granted the opportunity without obstruction by politicians. This was seen in the 2014 Scottish IndyRef, where it was rejected by 55% of the turnout.
What was the result of the 2016 Brexit Referendum? - Referendums
The 2016 Brexit Referendum saw 52% voting in favour of Leave and 48% voting in favour of Remain. This has been incredibly divisive.
What was the result of the 2004 North East referendum on Regional Development? What was the turnout? - Referendums
The 2004 North East devolution referendum saw 80% voting against the proposed change on a 50% turnout.
What was the result of the 2014 Scottish IndyRef? - Referendums
The 2014 Scottish IndyRef saw 55% of voters voting to remain in the UK, with 45% voting to leave. This resulted in the extension of devolution to Scotland.
