Referendums

Question 1

Definition of a referendum

Answer 1

A vote on a single issue put to the public ballot by the government.

Question 2

What are the only three elections to be held uk wide?

Answer 2

1975 European economic community membership
2011 alternative voting system for west minister elections
2016 European Union membership(Brexit)

Question 3

What was the turn out & result of the 2016 European membership referendum?

Answer 3

72%(turnout)
52%(leave)
48%(remain)

Question 4

What are referendums an example of?

Answer 4

Direct democracy - citizens make the decision themselves.

Question 5

What was the result and turnout of the AV voting referendum?

Answer 5

42%(turnout)
68%(no)
32%(yes)

Question 6

What was the result and turnout of the EEC membership referendum?

Answer 6

63%(turnout)
67%(yes)
33%(no)

Question 7

4 key factors influencing a national referendum?

Answer 7

• constitutional change- Blair’s gov held referendums to approve their proposals of this, particularly devolution.
• coalition agreements-AV ref was a central feature of the 2010 coalition as well as welsh devolution, directly elected mayors and future EU committees.
• party management-David Cameron hoped to solve long running internal party divisions on the issue of European integration.
• political pressure-2014 Scottish independence= unstoppable due to the SNP’s victory in the 2011 Scottish parliament elections.

Question 8

5 Reasons for Referendums enhancing representative democracy in the UK.

Answer 8

• introduced direct democracy, ensuring that citizens had the final say on major issues rather than politicians.
• checked the power of government, making it more responsive to the wishes of the electorate.
• enhanced political participation.
• improves popular understanding of politics.
• legitimised constitutional changes such as devolution.

Question 9

Reasons for Brexit result?

Answer 9

Immigration.
Economic purposes.
stronger leave campaign(bigger + more ‘aggressive’).
impact on Parliamentary sovereignty.

Question 10

3 distinct groups of leave voters.

Answer 10

Economically deprived
   - least economic resources
   - UKIP supporters 
   - Nationalistic + anti-immigration 
Affluent Eurosceptics
   - Interested in independence 
   - Noticeably anti-welfare
   - conservative/middle class
Older working class
   - concerned about the changing identity of the country 
   due to immigration.
   - living off pension
   - no formal qualifications 
   - do not feel poor nor badly educated.

Question 11

Soft Brexit definition.

Answer 11

Retains membership of the single market in return for a degree of free movement.