Referendums Vs Elections

Question 1

Question

Answer 1

Referendums have more democratic legitimacy than elections in the UK.

Question 2

Factors

Answer 2

• Representation
• Participation
• Accountability

Question 3

Judgement

Answer 3

Referendums do not have more democratic legitimacy.

Question 4

Weaker argument - representation

Answer 4

→ Referendums are a form of direct democracy - meaning they directly reflect what the people want.
→ Scottish Independence Referendum - 55% voted to remain in the Union.
→ Good Friday Agreement Referendum - 71% supported the referendum - a key chance for the Irish people to show their views on the peace treaty.

Question 5

Stronger argument - representation

Answer 5

→ Tyranny of the majority - Brexit referendum 51:49 - nearly half of the population was left unrepresented.
→ Elections mean you have a way to communicate with government through your MP - e.g. in 2024 Calum Miller raised the issue of pollution in a river in his constituency - you don’t get this representation with referendums.

Question 6

Weaker argument - participation

Answer 6

→ When it matters there is high turnout at referendums: Good Friday Agreement = 81%, Brexit = 72%.
→ Turnout in 2024 was 60%, 2001 was 59%.

Question 7

Stronger argument - participation

Answer 7

→ The turnout at the AV referendum was 42%.
→ North England Devolution referendum was 47%.
→ Lowest turnout for a referendum has been 34% (since 1973) lowest turnout for an election was 59% (since 1973).
→ Election turnout has never dropped under 50% - means there is legitimacy as at least half the population has had a say.

Question 8

Weaker argument - accountability

Answer 8

→ MPs are often not held accountable in elections - Rishi Sunak retained his seat despite all of the dislike towards the Tory party - Partygate, Truss, Expenses Scandal.
→ Public and media pressures mean MPs are held to account to carry out the results of a referendum - Cameron stepped down after Brexit.

Question 9

Weaker argument - accountability

Answer 9

→ Referendums are often non-binding meaning government doesn’t have to carry out the wishes of the people - Brexit wasn’t legally binding.
→ Unlike elections, referendums have no mechanisms in place for the results - after Brexit we lost our PM as he had wanted to Remain in the EU.
→ We can hold our MPs/government to account in election - Tories lost 244 seats in the 2024 election.