Referendums Flashcards
What is a referendum?
A yes or no vote handed to the public
When have the Scotish referendums taken place?
1997 to create a Scottish parliament. 74% voted yes, 26% no, turn out 60%
When was the referendum for Scottish independence?
2014
How did the Scots vote for independence>
45% yes, 55% no, 85% turnout
When did Wales vote to create a WElsh parliament?
1997
How did Wales vote for the WElsh parliament?
50.3% yes, 49.7% no, turnout 60%
When was the referendum for the Good Friday agreement?
1998
How did N Ireland vote for the Good Friday agreement?
71% yes, 20% no. Turnout 81%
When did London vote to create a London mayor?
1998
How did London vote to create a London Mayor
72% yes, 28% no. Turnout 34%
what did Wales vote for in 2019?
More devolved powers
How many voted?
64% voted yes, 36% voted no and the turn out was 36%
When did the UK have a referndum on whether to replce FPTP with AV
2011
What were the votes when the UK had a referndum on whether to replce FPTP with AV
Yes 32%, No 68%, 42% turnout
When did Scotland have the referendum for Scottish independence?
2014
What were the votes when Scotland have the referendum for Scottish independence?
Yes 45%, No 50% and 85% turnout
When did the UK have a referendum on the EU?
2016
How did people vote in the EU referendum?
Leave 52%, Remain 48% and turnout 72%
Why are refererendums held?
Public pressure e.g Scottish independence
To resolve controversial /divisive issues e.g EU - was a source of division in the Con party and wider public
Part of an agreement with political parties e.g the conservatives agreed to the AV referendum as part of their coalition with the Lib Dems
To legitimise constitutional changee,g extending devolution to Wals
Are referenums advisory?
In the UK the result of UK referendums are not legally binding as parliament alwasy remains sovereign. So in theory any referendum can be overturned
The 2017 court case of Gina Miller v Secretary of state for exiting the EU the supreme court ruled that the govt could not trigger article 50 without parliamentary approval, The case was controversial becasue the govt was under pressure to abide by the result giving the oublic a choice and then ignoring the outcome lacks legitimacy
What are the arguments or repeating a referendum?
A change in public opinion or circumstance
It is a democratic right - the people are sovereign and deserve another vote/to change their minds
Can provide more legitimacy to the final outcome esp if the first vote was close or controversial e.g claims that voters were misled over Brexit
What are the arguments against repeatinga refererendum?
It goes against the democracy process
Can create too much uncertainty especially if the result is close
Referendums are costly financially and in terms of political resources
What are the arguments that referendums are good for the UK?
Encourage participation and eductation . They have a higer turnout than general elections
They provide a final say on topics that parliament cannot agree on
The electoral commission can oversee and regulate the referendum
They ensure that govt policy refelcts the will of the people
Give people an opportunity to express their views between general elections
The results have mainly be successfully implemented e.g devolved parliaments
Parliament remains sovereaign and can decide how to implment the outcome
Why are referendums bad for the UK?
The turnout has been low e.g in the AV referendum 42% turned out undermining legitimacy of the decision
Close results are divisive as with Brexit and Scottish devolution
Campaigns have been misleading leading some to question the results
The govt decides when to call the election giving them more power
They undermine representative democracy stopping MPs from acting in the interests of the electorate
The issues raised are too complex for voters to make an informed decision
Parliamentary sovereignity is undermined as there is major pressure from the govt to honour the result
