UK Referendums

Question 1

Define ‘referendum’

Answer 1

A referendum is a method of referring a question or set of questions to the entire electorate directly.

Question 2

List recent referendums ( excluding devolution ref)

Answer 2

1975 UK EEC ref; T 65%; Y67%; N33%.

1998 Northern Ireland Belfast Agreement Ref; T81%; Y 71%; No 29%.

2011 UK Alternative Vote ref; T 42%; Y32%; N68%.

Question 3

List Devolution referendums + results?

Answer 3

1979 Scottish devolution ref: T64%; Y 52% - N48%.

1979 Welsh devolution ref; T59%; Y 20%; N80%.

1997 Scottish devolution & Wales ref { set up both scot and welsh assembly} ; T60%; Y74%; N 26%

1997 Wales: T50%; Y50%; N 49.70%.

2011 Welsh devolution ref { wales recieved greater law-making powers} : T36%; Y63%; N37%

2014 Scotland Independence Ref; T85%; Y55%; N45%. ( saw huge political participation + 16 & 17 yrs were allowed to vote)

Question 4

Summarise the basics of Brexit in three points

Answer 4

2016 Brexit: triggered by the 2016 EU referendum ( 52 voted to leave)

Was a promise from the tory gov in 2015 ( under Cameron) - with an aim of stopping tory voters from switching to UKIP and to placate eurosceptics in his party.

Divided all parties with no centralised campaigns

Result was divisive 0 with 52% voting to leave the EU

Question 5

Reasons Why people voted to leave the EU

Answer 5

• to regain sovereignty from the EU
• concerns over EU policies ( migration, trade ) and Populism
• concerns about the cost of EU membership.

Question 6

List the three UK-wide referendums

Answer 6

• 1975 EEC membership ( continued membership)
• 2011 AV referendum
• 2016 EU Membership ( whether the UK should remain a member of teh EU) .

Question 7

Features of referendums

Answer 7

• Direct democracy
• Non- binding
• Authorised by Parliament
• Ad hoc
• Single issue

Question 8

Why have referendums been called

Answer 8

• constitutional change: Scotland 1997; Wales 1997; Wales, 2011: Scotland, 2014; EU, 2016.
• Cabinet divisions: EEC, 1975
• Party divisions: EU, 2016
• Cabinet division; EEC 1975
• Coalition Agreement: AV, 2011.
• Testing public opinion: North East Assembly, 2004; Wales, 2011
• Establishing Peace: The Good Friday Agreement,1998.
• Political Pressure: Scotland, 2014; EU, 2016.

Question 9

Arguments 4 and against this statement which states that ‘ Referendums have enhanced representation democracy in the UK?

Answer 9

For:
- Intro direct democracy, by ensuring citizens have the final say on major issues: 2014, Scottish Independence Ref ( 55% voted to remain in the UK); 2016 EU ref; 2011 AV

• Enhanced Political Participation: 2014 Scottish ref - 84%; 2016 EU Ref - 72%; 1998 Good Friday Agreement - 81%.
• Legitimised important constitutional changes: devolution ( 1997 - formation of the Scottish and Welsh Assembly); Fixed Term Parliament Act 2011; 2016, EU ref..
• Educates people on key issues and improved popular understanding of politics.

No:
- They have undermined representative democracy, by taking decision-making on complex issues away from those with the most political knowledge or experience.

• Undermined parliamentary sovereignty and, in the case of the 2016 EU refer, created tensions between Parliament and the people.
• Govt can take of their authority to decide whether or not / when to call ref to strengthen their position - in an attempt to legitimize their policies.