Referendums in the UK and why they're held

Definition and logistics of a referendum

• Vote where electorate can express their view on an issue of public policy

• Yes/no (or leave/remain in case of Brexit)

• Ad hoc- not set frequency like elections

Type of democracy associated with referendums

Direct

Sovereignty of referendums

• Not legally binding due to Plmtary sovereignty but unlikely to be ignored as they hold democratic/popular sovereignty

4 uses of referendums

1. Used to test public opinion, usually of already-passed-through-Plmt proposed legislation

2. Give legitimacy to decisions, like elections (only similarity)

3. Promote political change

4. Remove policies from immediate political agenda (2011 electoral reform)

Attlee’s views on referendums

‘the instrument of Nazism and facism’

Thatcher’s views on referendums

‘a device of dictators and demagogues’

Wilson’s views on referendums

‘contrary to our traditions’

Pyotr Kropotkin’s views on referendums

‘built up by the middle classes to hold their own against royalty…at the same time strengthening their sway over the workers’

3 referendums in the UK pre-1997

1973- NI remaining part of the UK but boycotted by Catholic nationalists

1975- EEC membership

1979- Scottish and Welsh devolution

3 uses of referendums post-1997

1. Establish constitutional reforms

2. Promote democracy

3. Test public opinion

2011 - 2nd national referendum — issue, turnout, result

• Change to AV voting system?

• Turnout: 42%

• No: 67.9%

2 post-2011 significant referendums

1. 2014- Scottish independence

2. 2016- Brexit

Brexit (2016) — % MPs that wanted to remain; % that voted to trigger Article 50

• 80% MPs Remain

• 77% of MPs voted to trigger A50 to leave due to result of popular opinion

4 reasons referendums are held

1. Issue so crucial only popular vote can resolve it

2. Issue may cause conflict within the political system

3. Conflict needed to be solved within the wider community

4. Fundamental changes to the constitution are taking place (should not happen without ‘consent of the people’)

6 examples of referendums held because the issue was crucial

• 1973- NI remaining part of the UK (boycott)

• 1975- UK remaining in the EEC (national)

• 1998- implementation of Good Friday Agreement in NI

• 2011- AV used to elect MPs (national)

• 2014- Scottish independence

• 2016- Brexit

5 examples of referendums held because the issue may cause conflict within the political system

• 1973- NI remaining part of the UK (boycott)

• 1975- UK remaining in the EEC (national)

• 1998- implementation of Good Friday Agreement in NI

• 2014- Scottish independence

• 2016- Brexit

4 examples of referendums held to solve conflict within wider community

• 1973- NI remaining part of the UK (boycott)

• 1998- implementation of Good Friday Agreement in NI

• 2014- Scottish independence

• 2016- Brexit

10 examples of referendums held to legitimate constitutional change

• 1973- NI remaining part of the UK (boycott)

• 1975- UK remaining in the EEC (national)

• 1979, 1997- Scottish devolution (1979- invalid as needed 40% of whole electorate to vote, was only 30%)

• 1979, 1997- Welsh devolution

• 1997- tax-raising powers for Scottish Plmt

• 1998- introduction of London mayor and assembly

• 2011- Welsh assembly ability to make laws on all matters it has powers for

• 2011- AV used to elect MPs (national)

• 2014- Scottish independence

• 2016- Brexit

8 referendums with low turnout but decisive result

• 1973- NI remaining part of the UK (boycott)

• 1975- UK remaining in the EEC (national)

• 1979- Welsh devolution

• 1997- Scottish devolution

• 1997- tax-raising powers for Scottish Plmt

• 1998- introduction of London mayor and assembly

• 2011- Welsh assembly ability to make laws on all matters it has powers for

• 2011- AV used to elect MPs (national)

2 referendums with low turnout and small majority

• 1979- Scottish devolution (invalid as needed 40% of whole electorate to vote, was only 30%)

• 1997- Welsh devolution

1 referendum with high turnout and decisive result

• 1998- implementation of Good Friday Agreement in NI

2 referendums with high turnout but small majority

• 2014- Scottish independence

• 2016- Brexit

5 reasons for importance of high turnout and decisive result

• Legitimises decision

• Avoids tyranny of the minority

• Shows engagement and creates better informed electorate

• Settles long-standing debates

• Makes the govt more responsive (forces them to listen to public opinion)