Referendums

Question 1

What is referendums

Answer 1

A general vote by electorate on a single political question which has been referred to them for a direct decision

Question 2

name three ways you can distinguish a referendum and an election

Answer 2

• Referendum is a form of direct democracy. Elections are a form of representative democracy.
• Referendums enable the public to vote on issues, Elections are about voting politicians to decide decisions.
• Referendums aren’t legally binging but elections are.
• Referendums can be held any time, elections are usually held every 5 years.

Question 3

the Northern Ireland Referendum- March 1973?

Answer 3

Whether Northern Ireland should remain part of the UK or join the Republic of Ireland. Voted to remain in the uk

Question 4

Scottish devolution referendum 1979

Answer 4

Whether they should have a Scottish Assembly. Didn’t meet the 40% threshold set by the gov. So devolution didn’t happen

Question 5

Wales devolution referendum 1979

Answer 5

Whether they should get an Assembly. The public voted against it

Question 6

Wales devolution referendum 1997

Answer 6

Redid the 1979 referendum. This time 50.3% of people voted for an assembly. Only 50% of the public voted. They got their Assembly.

Question 7

Scotland devolution referendum 1997

Answer 7

Redid the 1979 referendum. 74% of people voted to have. Scottish parliament.

Question 8

Northern Ireland; Good friday agreement 1998

Answer 8

People of NI asked to support peace agreement that aimed to stop the trouble. 71% of people agreed, with a turnout of 81%.

Question 9

UK Alternative vote referendum 2011

Answer 9

Whether the UK should change their electoral system to Alternative Vote from FPTP. 68% of people said keep FPTP.

Question 10

Scottish independence referendum 2014

Answer 10

Scotland wanted to leave UK but 55% of voters chose to remain.

Question 11

UK European Union Membership referendum: 2016

Answer 11

Whether to leave or remain in the EU. 52% of people said to leave.

Question 12

Advantages for referendums

Answer 12

• Increase public participation
• Provides a clear answer to a question the government might be asking.
• It is effective
• Provides a mandate to controversial policies.

Question 13

Disadvantages for a referendum

Answer 13

• Issues might be too complex for a yes and no question
• It cost a lot of money to hold one. Brexit cost 130 million pounds
• There are other effective alternatives: opinion poll and by election

Question 14

What referendum have been held to gain a mandate for constitutional change ?

Answer 14

The Scotland and Wales referendum in 1998

Question 15

What referendum was held as part of a coalition agreement

Answer 15

The Alternative Vote Referendum 2011

Question 16

What referendum has been held due to political pressure

Answer 16

The scotland independence referendum 2014. After the SNP won the Scottish Parliament Election in 2011. In their manifesto they said they were gonna hold a referendum for Scotland independence.