direct democracy + referendums

what is direct democracy

a system where citizens make decision on laws and policies directly

how is direct democracy seen in the uk?

referendums and e-petitions

how do e-peitions work?

any petition that reaches over 100,000 signatures is considered for debate in parliament

example of an e-petition

2019 - a petition to revoke article 50 gained over 6 million signatures

what are recall petitions?

where constituents can petition for a by-election if their MP is convicted of certain crimes or suspended for misconduct

advantages of direct democracy

gives citizens direct control over key political decisions

can increase political engagement

can offer clear answers to important questions

example of citizens gaining control over political decisions

public given final say on brexit in 2016

example of increased political engagement in direct democracy

2016 brexit referendum turnout - 72%

2014 scottish independence referendum turnout - 85%

example of direct democracy making clear outcomes

gives legitimacy to brexit and no scottish independence

estimates 75% of MPs supported remain, whereas only 48% of voter voted remain

disadvantages of direct democracy

over-simplifies some issues

can have low voter turnout - lacking legitimacy

allows for populist or emotive decisions

inadequate representation of minorities

triggered by acts of parliament, so unlikely without prime minister’s support

example of how direct democracy over-simplifies some issues

voters in eu referndum given a choice of yes or no, not allowing all the detailed to be considered

example of how direct democracy can have low voter turnout

2011 AV referendum had 42.2% turnout

example of how direct democracy can have populist or emotive outcomes

the leave campaign for brexit was characterised by emotion - claims about taking back control and solving immigration

example of how direct democracy can have inadequate representation of minorities

62% of voters in scotland voted remain

55.8% of voters in northern ireland voted remain

59.3% of voters in the west midlands voted leave

advantages of referendums

can help to legitimise major constitutional changes (AV)

more referendums would allow the public to express their views on areas politicians might not want to tackle

disadvantages of referendums

campaigns and outcomes can cause division

can take attention away from other important issues

holding many public votes can create voter fatigue

‘tyranny of the majority’ - does not allow for nuance

low voter turnout in referendums

50% turnout in welsh assembly referendum 1997

42% turnout in AV referendum 2011

48% turnout in north east assembly referendum 2004

tyranny of the majority in referendums

welsh assembly referendum 1997 - 50.3% yes, 49.7% no

scottish independence ref 2014 - 45% yes, 55% no

eu referendum 2016 - 51.9% leave, 48.1% remain

example of a referendum implementing a specific threshold

1979 scottish assembly referendum required at least 40% of electorate to vote for it, while 53% voted yes, only 33% of the electorate did

what could suggest voter fatigue with devolution?

low turnout in referendums

• 1997 scottish parliament ref - 60% turnout

• 1997 welsh assembly ref - 50% turnout

• 2004 north east ref - 48% turnout

example of referendums providing clear outcomes

1973 referendum for northern ireland to remain in the uk - 99% voted yes

1997 scottish parliament ref - 74% voted yes