referendums Flashcards
Three Functions of referendums
Legitamise Changes e.g. devolution. Good Friday Agreement had a clear majority (71%) and a high turnout 81%
Settle divisions: Cameron called EU ref in the hopes of settling longstanding divisions.
Avoid committing to policy ideas (gov) will not be accountable for failed changes e.g Labour pushed for a Euro referendum so they didn’t have to make the decision.
Can enthuse and educate the people, people hadn’t hear of AV before referendum in 2011.
Impacts of referendums
Influence on elections: Following the 2014 SNP gained 56 seats and a boost in membership
Lack of trust - 2016 treasury’s miscalculation of economic consequences of the 2016 ref. Namely £9.3 million cost of ‘remail’ leaflets and £350 million NHS campaign.
Create conventions: Referendums set precedents of the future, e.g. Scotland act 2016, devolution cannot be removed without a ref.
