3.2 referendums & how they are used –
Understanding and acceptance of referendums as part of UK political life so widespread that
there have been several public campaigns for referendums. This includes calls for a second
referendum on Scottish independence & further referendums on re-joining EU.
Why call a referendum?
Response to public pressure.
- 2014 – govt under pressure from the majority SNP govt in Scotland.
- 2015 – part of GE campaign became the issue of UK & EU. With UKIP arguing for
leaving EU & promising referendum, Conservative offered one too, fearing loss of
voters to UKIP.
Resolve controversial issues dividing a party.
- Handing responsibility over to the people – party can avoid decision making &
avoid arguments between factions of party.
- Conservative divided by ‘Remainers’ & ‘Brexiteers’ – referendum should have
resolved issue, but party became more divided over the type of Brexit that
should take place.
Part of an agreement between parties.
- 2011 AV referendum – coalition agreement between Conservative & Lib Dem.
Lend legitimacy to large constitutional changes in UK.
- All been on substantial issues that might affect location of power & sovereignty.
- Changing electoral system, more power to devolved bodies (etc.) all influence
where power lies in the UK.
- However, some issues involving movement of power (creation of Supreme Court)
were not subject to referendum.
Referendums in the UK since 2997 –
Date Location Issue Yes % No % Turnout Commentary
%
1997 Scotland Creating 74.3 25.7 60.4 Labour manifesto committed to giving S
Scottish & W a referendum on devolved powers.
parliament Both voted yes – both were established
1997 Wales Creating Welsh 50.3 49.7 50.1
assembly
1998 NI Approving 71.1 28.9 81 Held because of NI Peace Protests
Good Friday
Agreement
1998 London Creating 72 28 34 Held as part of Labour’s push for the
elected mayor democratisation of UK
Understanding and acceptance of referendums as part of UK political life so widespread that
there have been several public campaigns for referendums. This includes calls for a second
referendum on Scottish independence & further referendums on re-joining EU.
Why call a referendum?
Response to public pressure.
- 2014 – govt under pressure from the majority SNP govt in Scotland.
- 2015 – part of GE campaign became the issue of UK & EU. With UKIP arguing for
leaving EU & promising referendum, Conservative offered one too, fearing loss of
voters to UKIP.
Resolve controversial issues dividing a party.
- Handing responsibility over to the people – party can avoid decision making &
avoid arguments between factions of party.
- Conservative divided by ‘Remainers’ & ‘Brexiteers’ – referendum should have
resolved issue, but party became more divided over the type of Brexit that
should take place.
Part of an agreement between parties.
- 2011 AV referendum – coalition agreement between Conservative & Lib Dem.
Lend legitimacy to large constitutional changes in UK.
- All been on substantial issues that might affect location of power & sovereignty.
- Changing electoral system, more power to devolved bodies (etc.) all influence
where power lies in the UK.
- However, some issues involving movement of power (creation of Supreme Court)
were not subject to referendum.
Referendums in the UK since 2997 –
Date Location Issue Yes % No % Turnout Commentary
%
1997 Scotland Creating 74.3 25.7 60.4 Labour manifesto committed to giving S
Scottish & W a referendum on devolved powers.
parliament Both voted yes – both were established
1997 Wales Creating Welsh 50.3 49.7 50.1
assembly
1998 NI Approving 71.1 28.9 81 Held because of NI Peace Protests
Good Friday
Agreement
1998 London Creating 72 28 34 Held as part of Labour’s push for the
elected mayor democratisation of UK
