Referendums & how they are used - (3.2) Electoral Systems - UK Politics Flashcards
Legal force of a referendum
Referendums don’t have legal force however, it is unlikely government would ignore the will of the people
First national referendum UK
June 1975 -Labour Harold Wilson gave electorate vote on whether they wanted to remain in the European Economic Community. Called in order to check electorate agreed with Heath’s policy of joining the EC - Heath arguably should have called a referendum at the time (1963) given the enormous and far-reaching nature of the decision
6 examples of referendums (post 1997)
Sept 1997 - Establishment of Scottish parliament (Scottish referendum) & Establishment of Welsh Assembly (Welsh referendum)
May 1998 - Approval of the good Friday agreement (Northern Ireland referendum)
May 2011 - Change to EV for electoral system Westminster (UK referendum)
Sept 2014 - Scottish independence (Scottish referendum)
June 2016 - Brexit (UK referendum)
Electoral Commission role in referendums
Responsible for checking wording of question.
Monitors expenditure by rival campaigning groups
Designates an approved campaign for each side
Brexit example (Electoral Commission role)
Changed question to make it more neutral.
Designated ‘vote leave’ and ‘Britain stronger in Europe’ as rival lead campaigns - entitled them to pre-determined public funding
In what circumstances is a referendum held?
Legitimising a major government initiative
Getting a government out of a difficult situation
A result of a deal between political parties
In response to pressure to hold a referendum
Example of referendum being held to legitimise a major government initiative
1997 referendums on devolved government
Example of referendum being held to get a government out of a difficult situation
1975 Harold Wilson’s government split between Pro & anti Europe factions.
Example of referendum being held as a result of a deal between 2 political parties
May 2010 vote on changing Westminster electoral system to AV - agreement between coalition government (Clegg & Cameron)
Example of referendum being held in response to pressure for one to be held
2016 Brexit referendum - growing support to UKIP led to Conservatives (Cameron) holding the referendum in order to not lose voters to UKIP
Arguments in favour of referendums (x5) (brief summary)
Involves the people Offer a check on the 'elective dictatorship' (Lord Hailsham) Settle arguments & entrench reforms Raise voters political awareness Little chance of skewed result
How referendums involve the people (argument in favour)
Trust in politicians is low
Manifestos & elections summarise lots of policies referendums allow a single issue to be addressed
Some topics e.g. EU views cross party lines
How referendums offer a check on the elective dictatorship (arguments in favour)
Usually electorate only has power over the House of Commons every 5 years - referendums enable people to have a say more frequently
Prevents government rushing through a change without consulting electorate
How do referendums settle arguments & entrench reforms (arguments in favour)
To make reverse a change (possible) would entail a major public debate
How referendums raise voter’s political awareness (arguments in favour)
Voters are likely to research or learn about the topic