Referendums eval

Question 1

Are referendums compatible with parliamentary democracy?

Answer 1

• Many constitutional experts would argue that referendums don’t fit with Westminster.
• Insitution of Parliament is a representative democracy.
• MPs are representatives who vote on behalf of their constituents.
• Direct democracy may be challenging to reconcile.
• Referendums have been used to settle constitutional questions.

Question 2

Why until 2016 have UK referendums not led to constitutional challenges?

Answer 2

• Before 2016 the outcome of referendums has always been the status quo.
• e.g. the 2011 AV referendum resulted in preserving the FPTP system.
• The European referendum was the first time a direct result was delivered which did not match with the political make up of the legsilature.
• This has led to a serious stretching of the UK’s unwritten constitution as MP’s grapple with an outcome which they would not have enacted themselves.

Question 3

Are referendums a good way of resolving constitutional questions?

Answer 3

• A referendum gives the electorate a chacne to voice their view on single issue.
• Referendums increase the political awareness and education of voters of key issues, the turnout for 2016 Brexit referendum was much higher than for a GE, showing increased political engagement.
• Referendums are not a good way because they challenge sovereignty as decisions are made directly by the public rather than MPs who have been elected.
• Referendum campaigns can be manipulated and often involve other issues that are not related to the question.