referendums

Question 1

x2 examples of strong mandate from referendums

Answer 1

1. Northern Ireland Good Friday Agreement referendum 1998:
   71% yes with 81% turnout
2. Scottish Independence referendum 2014:
   only 10% difference between yes and no but strong 85% turnout

Question 2

Eg of low turnout

Answer 2

Greater London Authority referendum 1998

despite 72% yes, only 34% turnout

Question 3

Eg of boycotting a referendum

Answer 3

Northern Ireland sovereignty referendum 1973

overwhelming 98% for proposal 1 but turnout only at 59% (nationalists were boycotting the referendum)

Question 4

Eg of lack of threshold

Answer 4

BREXIT 2016
78% turnout but only 4% difference between answers
is this enough for huge constitutional change?

Question 5

which independent body supervise referendums?

Answer 5

Electoral Commission (since 2000)

Question 6

misleading claim made in Brexit campaign

Answer 6

£350 million per week go to the EU

Question 7

referendum result affected by political protest

Answer 7

2011 AV referendum affected by the unpopularity of the LDs at the time

Question 8

Eg of lack of interest/ understanding in a referendum

Answer 8

2011 AV referendum: only 42% turnout