Referendums, Their Uses And Case Studies Flashcards
What is a referendum
An exercise of direct democracy for determining outcome a specific policy/decision.
What are referendums used for?
1) giving legitimacy to constitutional changes (Brexit)
2. Resolve disputes (Good Friday Agreement)
Case Study: 1997 Devolution to Scotland and Wales
Reason: growing natuonalism due to 1979 devolution in Scotland, and austerity under Thatcher.
Allowed Blair to retain Labour dominance in Scltland and Wales by appeasement to nationalists
New Labour manifesto commited to constitutional reform
Result:
SCO 74% yes WAL 50% yes
Positive?
Strengthened legitimacy of devolution, prevented CON perhaps from reserving some changes later, gave Scottish parliament primary legislation and Welsh Assembly to expand powers.
Bad:
Welsh were perhaps more cautious and wanted to keep status quo, political reasoning by Blair, takes away parliamentary sovereignty for later CON govt who may want to repeal without controversy
2011 AV referendum
Cause: LibDem entered coalition as kingmakers for CON, supporting policies against their interest such as bedroom tax, which heavily impacted support, so CON had to make concessions.
Result:
68% against
Pro:
Gave real power to people to change British politics forever and remove FPTP, giving chance for smaller parties
Bad:
Basically ended up just giving legitimacy to FPTP and securing its use for longer time, people also didn’t understand it, perhaps because media which listens more tl larger parties didn’t show actual advantages of losing FPTP
2014: indyref
Cause: Holyrood SNP success since 2007, devolution success. CON austerity, CON thought could end SNP by closing debate, restore CON support in Scotland
Result: 55% no
Good:
Clear result, clear mandate to keep Scotland in Union and prevent neverendum , high 84% turnout gives even more legitimacy, wide media coverage allowed informed choice
Bad: too complex for a simple yes or no, what would a Scotland country look like, what are they voting for exactly? Uncertainty, would Scotland be in NATO, EU, would they be given control over North Sea oil? Hasn’t stopped debate , 2022 court case on whether Scotland can hkkkd own referendum, big change due to Brexit in 2016 Scottish Parliament election with SNP winning, and 2021 SNP wanted indyref 2
2016 Brexit:
Why: 2014 UKIP success MEP elections, growing migration to UK by EU, eurosceptics like Boris growing influence in CON party, CON manifesto for referendum, Cameron wanted to crush eurosceptics
Result: 51.9% leave
Good: in key issues, assured the will of the people is followed, arguably a vote for a party shouldn’t dictate your opinion on Brexit, it is separate to economics, people also made their own mind up, as parties they may usually follow were divided themselves
Bad: could be scared into voting a particular side, remain said people could lose £4,300 a year without EU, Leave said UK loses £350mill, no detail on what leaving EU would look like cause 4 years of political chaos, Harold Wilson gave EU referendum in 1975, so still a Neverndum, just because of political convenience
