Referendums

Question 1

Encourages participation (A)

Answer 1

• Scottish independence ref got a turnout of 84%
• EU ref turnout was 72.7%
• Enhances the legitimacy of a decision

Question 2

Provides clear answer to issues (A)

Answer 2

• Devolved bodies (74.3% in favour in Scotland, 50.3% in favour in Wales and 71.1% in NI)

Question 3

Enhanced liberal democracy (A)

Answer 3

• limits the gov’s power
• Blair convention on constitutional change = referendum

Question 4

Management (A)

Answer 4

• Overseen by Independent electoral commission
• limits gov manipulation

Question 5

Representation (A)

Answer 5

-Allows popular sovereignty to be expressed

Question 6

Sovereignty (A)

Answer 6

• only advisory (Dominic Grieve and John Redwood)

Question 7

Lack of participation (D)

Answer 7

• turnout has been low at points, undermining legitimacy and effectiveness of the result
• PL powers for Wales got 35.6% turnout
• Elected London mayor got 34%

Question 8

Close results (D)

Answer 8

• can be more decisive rather than settling on an issue (EU or SI)

Question 9

Gov control (D)

Answer 9

• gov decides when to call referendum, concentrating power rather than limiting it

Question 10

Representation undermined (D)

Answer 10

• Representative democracy is undermined and BP is challenged

Question 11

Question Complexities (D)

Answer 11

• To simple to be reduced to a yes/no question

Question 12

Sovereignty is undermined (D)

Answer 12

• Gov under signif pressure to follow public will