Referendums

Question 1

Key Referendums since 1997?

Answer 1

• Scottish Devolution referendum: should be a Scottish Parliament (YES); Parliament should have tax varying powers (YES)
• Greater London Authority referendum: should be a Mayor of London/GLA (YES)
• Electoral reform 2011, should UK keep FPTP or Alternative Vote system (NO).
• Scottish Independence 2014 – Scotland voted against Independence in September 2014. (55 - 45%)
• European Union June 2016 - voters chose to LEAVE the EU by 52% - 48%. Promised by PM in 2015 election.

Question 2

What are the reasons Labour used referendums?

Answer 2

• Entrenchment of policy – difficult for future (Conservative) governments to reverse.
• Popular mandate – it is the will of the people.
• Constitutional issues – too important for Parliament alone.
• Look different from Conservatives – more democratic, more in touch with the people.

Question 3

What are the advantages of Referendums?

Answer 3

• Enjoy direct legitimacy: will of the people. form of direct democracy.
• Ensure more continuity of policy: less likely to be reversed (entrenchment). Require another referendum to be held for policy to be changed - semi-entrenched
• Used when ruling parties divided: Settle contentious issues in a party, government or people.
• They can put an end to divisive issues or on policy areas where little progress is being made.
• Encourage political participation.
• Public can be educated.
• They are a form of consultation. Can be useful at times when politicians in general are unpopular.

Question 4

What are the disadvantages of direct democracy?

Answer 4

• Electorates not capable of understanding question. Too complicated.
• Government decides question. Choose wrong/misleading/biased question.
• Government decides timing. When it believes it can win.
• Repeated til ‘correct’ response obtained.
• Government can ignore result - suicide
• Electorates use referendums to punish ruling party rather than vote on the issue
• Is government/parliament ducking responsibilities? undermine sovereignty
• Powerful/wealthy decide which side wins - influence of wealth/media.
• Fear populist policies/oppression of minorities due to uninformed public (Non-constitutional in USA).
• May not occur public opinion hostile to issue and government fears defeat
• Legislation imposed on reluctant government that must implement policy it doesn’t want. (Half-heartedly or minimally)

Question 5

What is Electoral commission?

Answer 5

• Objections to referendums addressed by the Electoral Commission under The Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, sets out legal framework under which UK, national and regional referendums held. In response to greater use of referendums

Question 6

What are the Electoral Commission is responsible for?

Answer 6

• Comment on intelligibility of question.
• Registering campaign organisations as permitted participants.
• Designating lead campaign organisations on both sides of the referendum question.
• Monitoring expenditure limits and donations.
• seven-year gap should be respected before question is asked again