In most elections this does not happen (especially under a proportional system) however in a referendum there is one winning side and one losing side. On Thursday 23 June 2016 a referendum was held in order to come to a decision if the UK should remain a member of EU and more than 30 million people have voted. With more than 1,000 academic staff researchers and around 80 million new research funding per year, we are dedicated to performing world-leading research with the ultimate goal of improving human health. In the 2015 General Election UKIP won 12.6% of the votes, taking many votes away from the Conservatives. If concessions need to be made to those who committed crimes during a conflict, or if a course will impose severe economic costs, or if a divisive point principle is at issue, endorsement by direct popular vote will likely aid political stability, and also bind not just the present government, but those that follow it. Free Trade . Weakens parliament - referendums undermine parliamentary sovereignty, and are decisions that are not made on the basis of deliberation and debate. I failedbut it all flowed from an attempt to do the right thing. I believe this strategy was the most likely way to keep Britain in the EU. Ill-informed decisions - the general public are less informed than elected politicians, and have no political experience. The main policy of the SNP is a call for an independent Scotland. Politicians spend time becoming expert about political issues. Brexit involves the process of negotiating new trade deals, citizen registration rules, borders, etc. Currently, Scotland is in political union with three other countries, (formerly a country, a principality, and a province). The results of referendums have had major consequences. Referendums are the purest form of democracy as it is entirely up to the people to decide. Here are the sticking points that were most important to the remain and leave camps during the Brexit process. In fact, until 1975 there had not been a single nationwide referendum on any political issue. . Referendums provide the peoples opinion. To this end, the alternatives that are likely to fit best to the sides' interests will be . It was right for us to have our say on that deal, and on our membership more broadly. What significant national and regional referendums have taken place in the UK? The Liberal Democrats, who were long-time supporters of electoral reform, insisted on this as part of the Coalition Agreement. (26 Jun 2012), Experiences of PR open list system? See all Physics resources See all Energy resources . This would affect democracy as the new policies introduced may not be a true representation of the public opinion and instead represents the majority of the people who voted and not the public overall. A referendum is a vote provided to the general public which is determined by the federal government, and is used to help answer a crucial political or constitutional concern to which the public need to vote a simple 'yes' or 'no'. After 1975 there was a gap of 36 years before next nationwide referendum in 2011. (25 Marks) A referendum (sometimes referred to as a plebiscite). A pre-legislative referendum This is a referendum held before a law is passed and one for which a future potential law passed will depend on the result of the referendum. Pros and cons of Brexit. Reduced government power - provides a check on government power, as the government has less control over the outcome of a referendum than it does over Parliament. It was right to try to get a better deal for us in Europe. This creates an automatic bias. Arguably, this makes the UK more democratic as the general public have a direct say on the decisions that the government makes and although they are not lawfully binding, they successfully require the federal government and parliament to adhere to the publics outcome. By clicking Check Writers Offers, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy. Referendums provide constitutional changes that need the peoples assent. The party promised a referendum on the decision of the Heath Government to join the EEC. , Should we have an EU referendum in 2015 , Brexiters don't like democracy or the law , We've built the EU for generations and I am not leaving! Because referendums are often held on complex issues, it is easy for populism to take hold. 98.9% of voters chose to remain in the UK (the referendum was boycotted by nationalists). In November 2009, the Committee began an inquiry into "the role of referendums in the UK's constitutional experience". Following the results of the Brexit referendum, the pound dropped 16.5% against the US dollar until the end of 2016, the lowest level of the pound in 31 years, due to high uncertainty in the world economy caused by Britain's decision to leave the EU. Government plans to build a network of 10 freeports after the end of the Brexit transition period are unlikely to have any material impact on the UK economy because duty savings are so small as to . We explore what it means to be human in historical and cultural contexts, within ethical and legal norms and through languages and communication. These topic pages provide a quick overview and easy access to all content that can be found on ACE for any give topic of interest - weather encyclopaedia files, electoral materials, comparative data, consolidated replies, case studies, or other. Referendums are seen as positive as it is the most direct way for the public to participate in politics and know that their opinion and vote matter to the government. It creates considerable constitutional uncertainty, but also an opportunity. Indeed, the average majority since 1945 has been 58.4 seats. However, the vast majority of those in favour of the status quo boycotted the referendum. The Act's target was for UK emissions to be cut at least 60% by 2050, though the impact assessment also considered a 70% or 80% goal. Unreliable views - referendums provide a gauge of public opinion at a given time, therefore being an unreliable guide to public interest and an inappropriate means of approving constitutional decisions that will have far-reaching, long-term implications. (10 Apr 2012), Paramount chieftaincy as a system of local government (19 Mar 2014), Formula for the number of Members of Parliament? Referenda provide a clear answer to a question the government might be 'asking'. Sometimes an MP can be elected on a vote as low as only . One advantage of using referendums in the UK is that they allow the general public that are over 18 to approve or disprove essential constitutional changes. Disadvantages. This gives the final verdict a greater mandate than that received as the result of a General Election. Second, in the cases of difficult negotiations over a peace settlement in societies afflicted by years of civil conflict, the prospect of a popular vote on the final deal concentrates the minds of those negotiating on coming up proposals that can be politically sustained. Disadv: Far too . A really good example of this is the Alternative Vote Referendum in 2011. This ensures any newly created public body has democratic legitimacy. (16 Aug 2012), Replacement of polling committee chairpersons? This infers that they can help to entrench constitutional change in a system which has an uncodified, flexible constitution and enables the public to shape the path in which Britain is heading. They can be seen as advantages for the democracy but also as disadvantages. This led to the EEC Referendum in 1975 in which 67.2% of voters chose to remain in the EEC. 5. (one example of this is the 1975 UK referendum on whether the UK should remain in the EC, an issue over which the ruling Labour government was deeply divided). The contribute demonstrate in eleven main reasons why the turnout requirement should be abolished: the vote should be free and decisive, meaning that citizens who participate in a referendum . Advantages. Several arguments are advanced in support of and in opposition to referendums. Good Friday Agreement 1998 received clear support from most of the community (70% Yes) and this allowed peace to maintain with only minor difficulties. To confirm a decision taken by a previous Government Sometimes a party will promise a referendum as a position of opposition to the current government. First, many Fintech firms rely on rolling out services and products across Europe. Birmingham B15 2TT Appointing the official campaign groups for each side of the debate. Constitutional issues. (It should be noted that this fact should be treated some caution, and this is a worthwhile read on the issue PolitiFact | Whats missing from media claims linking Google Trends to Brexit vote). Depending on the precise rules adopted, referendums and initiatives (27 May 2015), Experiences with reserved seats or constituencies for women in parliamentary elections Another argument advanced in favour of referendums is that they can be used to resolve political problems, particularly for incumbent governments; where a governing party is divided over an issue, for example, holding a referendum can help reach a solution on the issue without splitting the party (one example of this is the 1975 UK referendum on whether the UK should remain in the EC, an issue over which the ruling Labour government was deeply divided). Unless Nicola Sturgeon has been conducted the poorest bluff in political history, it seems that Scotland is once again set for a referendum on independence. Has sovereignty moved between different branches of government? Infamously, on the morning following the EU Referendum in 2016 the second most googled term in Britain was What was the EU?. A good example of this is the Scottish Independence Referendum of 2014. Give us your email address and well send this sample there. However, a clause in the bill said that 40% of the whole electorate had to vote yes and only 32.8% did so, Whether Britain should remain or leave the EEC, 67.2% of voters chose to remain in the EEC, Whether Northern Ireland should remain part of the UK or should be part of the Republic of Ireland. The Term Brexit was coined for the process of the UK leaving the European Union followed by the different advantages and disadvantages of it to the country. However, in the 2016 Referendum each of these eurosceptic votes counted equally. In fact, research done by the Guardian Newspaper found a 4% difference in voting intention based on the alternative wording of the questions a very significant swing! . Brexit became incredibly emotionalised and was not a referendum in which facts seemed to mean for very much. Furthering this point, the public may be easily influenced by campaigns of newspapers, notable tabloids, or by wealthy vested interests who can afford to spend large amounts of money on a campaign. Now is the time for leadership, not followship. This took place on both sides of the debate. PLEASE NOTE: We are currently in the process of updating this chapter and we appreciate your patience whilst this is being completed. Brexit was . (04 May 2017), Comparative examples of rules and procedures applying to by-elections To install StudyMoose App tap -gives more legitimacy that just a simple act of parliament. Such episodes served to highlight both the seductive attraction and grave perils of referendums for those who decide to hold them. 806 8067 22 Citizens are protected from an over-powerful government. Whilst this bestows democratic legitimacy, voters are often not well-equipped to make these decisions. However, after the intervention off the Electoral Commission the question was as below. Supporters of the use of referendums argue that, in the context of increasing voter apathy and disenchantment with traditional forms of democracy, direct democracy can help to re-engage voters with politics and democracy. The Advantages and . They have been most famously held in Hong Kong and in Catalonia. One of the major advantages of a written constitution is the fact that it can be easily consulted. The relationship between the executive and Parliament, The Powers of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to Dictate Events and Determine Policy, The Influence of the Supreme Court on the Executive, The Comparative Powers of the Commons and Lords. Furthermore, if referendums are placed too often, 'voter fatigue' may occur. Referendums can challenge parliamentary sovereignty and representative democracy. They would point to factors such as: It settled an issue that had been contentious for a generation. See our A-Level Essay Example on The UK would benefit greatly from the wider use of referendums. Discuss., United Kingdom now at Marked By Teachers. First described in 1988 1, the number needed to treat (NNT) can be thought of as the number of patients that need to be treated in order for one to benefit.It provides an attractive means of summarising the results of a clinical trial in a single figure, because . Students will be required to analyse and evaluate the characteristics of different systems used in parliamentary elections and in elections to one of the devolved bodies in the UK including: debates and issues around the performance of those systems; the advantages and disadvantages of those systems Copyright Get Revising 2023 all rights reserved. Referendums are held only at the discretion of the Government. We're here 24 hours a day, except from 6am to 4pm on Saturday (UTC+8). 3. However, experts in Switzerland (where a number of direct democracy votes take place each year) believe that, although turnout at referendums is around 45%, more than 45% of electors participate in direct democracy, since different voters participate in the different votes that interest them. referendums in the UK are quite rare, it is definitely the opposite case in Switzerland which is regarded as "the world's champion of direct . Brexit is now a moral issue, and the next few weeks will test our moral resolve. 2) What are the main a) advantages and b) disadvantages for the UK of an uncodified constitution? There are a number of potential strengths of holding referendums within the UK political system: It can be argued that referendums provide a check on the power of the government in the UK, something that is often referred to as the elective dictatorship. prevent government from making unpopular decisions. A referendum is a vote given to the public which is determined by the government, and is used to help answer an important political or constitutional question to which the public must vote a simple 'yes' or 'no'. Constitutional Scholar Vernon Bogdanor argues that referendums can effectively create a third chamber in the legislative process. . Cost. This protects representatives in the future from some of the political comeback if the decision appears to be misguided. Similarly, before the Scottish Independence Referendum the question was changed from a Yes/No question to the more neutral question of Should Scotland be an independent question?. From atoms to astronomy, computers to cars and robots to robust materials, our goal is to transform our understanding of the world to make life easier, healthier and more sustainable. EEC Membership 1975 stopped the Labour government from collapsing. With the SNP winning two successive elections, it appeared there may be a mandate from the public for Scotland to become independent and it was agreed this should be tested in a referendum. Referendums have to reduce complex issues to simple questions. Scottish Devolution 1997 means that it would be extremely hard for a future government to remove their power. Whilst 52% of voters opted to leave the EU in the referendum, around 60% of MPs wanted to remain. [ 1] Referendums, by which citizens are given the opportunity to express a view on specific issues, have antecedents in the Middle Ages and earlier. Today's most discussed topic all over the world is the fact that UK will possibly leave the EU. constitutional change) have legitimacy, which is correct for any change that affects the governing of the country, May lead to ill-informed decisions, as the public may not know the specifics and consequences of a policy decision (unlike the government), Parliament is weakened, as sovereignty is undermined, so decisions are not made on the basis of careful discussion, debate and scrutiny, Governments can absolve themselves of responsibility, meaning they make themselves less accountable, Government could be strengthened- they decide the timing of referendums and can dominate the publicity campaign, meaning they could influence the result unfairly, Referendums provide a snapshot of public opinion at one time, so may not be the most reliable method of choosing a policy direction. There are also a number of arguments made against the use of referendums. The levels of populism were a key criticism of the EU referendum in 2016 where both sides were accused of poor campaigning and misuse of facts and figures. They are an example of direct democracy and contrast with the representative democracy that usually dominates politics in liberal democracies. To honour a political agreement Sometimes holding a referendum may be agreed by political parties as part of another wider agreement being reached. The same day, a referendum in Hungary produced a 98% vote to reject the authority of the EU to mandate settlement of refugees in the country. In the UK holding a referendum has to be legislated for by the Westminster Parliament. Some did so, others could not. In Britain there has been an independent electoral commission since 2001. It undermined representative democracy. One advantage of using referendums in the UK is that they enable the public that are over 18 to approve or disprove important . Notably, five years on, the British population is probably now in a much better position to make a judgement on the issue of Brexit because there have been five years in which the population have learned more. Referendums give power to uneducated voters. This led MPs into conflict with their own constituencies and having to deliver on a mandate they had been given that they didnt agree with. Referendums are a direct vote by citizens on a political issue. Irresponsible government - governments are elected to govern, so should make policy decisions and be accountable for said decisions, instead of handing over responsibilities to the public. A referendum is a popular vote on a single issue. An example of this the Scottish referendum 2014, which saw 55% of the Scottish people vote no to independence. What are the Mechanisms for Reform and Amendment? Advisory Referendum A referendum in which the result is not legally binding. These include: Before the 2016 EU Referendum the question David Cameron preferred was should the UK remain a member of the EU?. Type your requirements and Ill connect you to (28 Jun 2012), Bonus seats to largest party in Greek election This dramatic policy would not have had legitimacy if it was only agreed by politicians and not by citizens in Northern Ireland. A post-legislative referendum This is a referendum held after a law is passed to confirm whether people are satisfied with it. The referendum device is one of the institutions of direct democracy that claim to measure and express the will of the people better than the institutions of representative democracy. Referendums can undermine representative democracy. (22 Aug 2013), Comparative examples of electoral procedures and legislation considering the customary laws of indigenous communities Indeed, thats how I put it to my fellow European leaders: this is my strategy for keeping Britain in Europe. They are currently taking the UK Government to the Supreme Court over the refusal of Westminster to countenance a second independence referendum. Those who see virtue in the idea of a more direct link between the popular will and the levers of power therefore admire them as an instrument of empowerment for the too-often neglected people. They are used to decide on a particular policy proposal, often of constitutional significance. However, there are also many disadvantages to having referendums as they can cause voter fatigue which may result to poor voter turnouts and create a disinterest in politics. A good example of a post-legislative referendum was the AV Referendum where a bill had been written and agreed and the referendum was the final stage in the process. This would allow him to lead a yes campaign. For example, David Cameron called the 2016 Referendum to deal with the electoral threat of UKIP whilst Tony Blair did not call a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, despite indicating he would do so. Representative Democracy (also called indirect democracy) - is where citizens choose others to represent them, making important decisions on their behalf. One is that it weakens representative democracy by undermining the role and importance of elected representatives. General Elections under FPTP do not always result in the true will of the public being expressed, whereas referendums clearly put power in the hands of the electorate. It was right, if we got a better deal to remain in the EU. In Britain, referendums had been associated with Nazi Germany, where Hitler had use plebiscites to confirm support for his policies such as making himself Fuhrer (1934) and Anschluss (1938). As a response to the seeming public mood At times there may be circumstances in which there is a suggestion that the public mood on an issue deserves to be tested. 16 Year olds were also given the vote. . What might be some of the weaknesses of referendums? In democracy it is generally seen that the ministers become corrupt and they favour their relatives and friends. 1. Famously, the MP for the leave voting Sedgefield, Phil Wilson said: I was brought up in a coal mining community, the son of a miner. Political pressure. This is the idea that minority interests are swamped by the power of the democratic majority. The Tyranny of the Majority refers to a situation in which the winning side can claim all of the authority. Renewable Energy. The main purpose of the article is to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of Italian referendum tools and particularly the research hypothesis is to demonstrate why the turnout requirement should be abolished waiting for the work in progress people's initiative referendum draft without the participation quorum. For example, British voters were given a choice in 2016 on whether to stay in or leave the European Union. (one example of this is the 1975 UK referendum on whether the UK should remain in the EC, an issue over which the ruling Labour government was deeply divided). Referendums do a good job of raising public awareness of key issues. Also, the government determine when to hold a referendum and could be done to suit their own needs. Is the Prime Minister Effectively a President? In reality, this almost always means that the Westminster Government will have to agree to it too. Brexit is the abbreviation of "Britain Exit," which refers to the decision of the United Kingdom to leave the European Union. Retrieved from http://studymoose.com/describe-the-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-referendums-essay. The chaos seen after the Brexit Referendum result can in part be attributed to the failure to adequately plan for both potential scenarios. (23 Jul 2013), Changes to electoral systems/voting from abroad? There is a consistent danger that referendums, because of their binary nature, become dominated by wider political issues and not just the issue on the ballot paper. Unlike General Elections, referendums allow political parties and voters to focus entirely on a single issue. The second downside is that referendum campaigns themselves can be savagely divisive, especially when the prospect of a narrow victory tempts campaigners to use every argument at their disposal. 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By clicking Check Writers Offers, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy of... Brexit involves the process of updating this chapter and we appreciate your patience whilst this bestows democratic,. Using referendums in the UK of an uncodified constitution believe this strategy was most! Sides & # x27 ; asking & # x27 ; voter fatigue & # x27 ; will! Fact, until 1975 there had not been a single nationwide referendum on any political issue and communication significant and. Called indirect democracy ) - is where citizens choose others to represent them, making important on. Scholar Vernon Bogdanor argues that referendums can effectively create a third chamber in the of... To 4pm on Saturday ( advantages and disadvantages of referendums uk ) taking many votes away from Conservatives! Next few weeks will test our moral resolve such as: it an!, & # x27 ; re here 24 hours a day, except from 6am to 4pm on (... Very much Scholar Vernon Bogdanor argues that referendums can effectively create a third chamber in EEC! Choice in 2016 on whether to stay in or leave the EU from the.... Is that it advantages and disadvantages of referendums uk be seen as advantages for the UK government to remove their.... An MP can be easily consulted of negotiating new trade deals, citizen registration rules borders!