Good examples of this are the Scottish Independence Referendum in 2014 and the EU Referendum in 2016. Referendums are used to ensure that the public are happy with the decisions in which the government makes. Schools helped with balanced political education over issue allowing them to be more informed. They have to weigh up a number of competing issues, all of which will be of differing levels of importance to different to voters. If a government were to offer the people to make a decision on an major issue and then ignore their verdict it would be politically suicidal. The increasing use of referendums in the UK has created a convention that they should be used for major constitutional change or a change to the way in which the UK is governed. The referendum, as an instrument of political decision-making, has been the source of much consternation in 2016. . In the UK holding a referendum has to be legislated for by the Westminster Parliament. This is because although a majority of people voted a certain way, there is usually a very slim margin between this and the other outcome which could be achieved. The party promised a referendum on the decision of the Heath Government to join the EEC. Executives and legislatures, in their bid to out do the other, have utilized the referendum to secure their political goals. Registered office: International House, Queens Road, Brighton, BN1 3XE. 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. The referendum was a rare example of direct, or participatory, democracy in the UK. Once people have had a referendum on one issue, they begin to expect it for more issues even if that issue is not well suited to be settled by a referendum. A really good example of this is the Alternative Vote Referendum in 2011. Subsequently, when Brexit was not immediately forthcoming, led to allegations that Parliament had betrayed the people. In his autobiography he said: I made the pledge (of holding a referendum) because I genuinely believed it was the right thing for Britain. Additionally, referendums can be used to educate the public and raise citizens awareness of political issues. 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. This really is another downside associated with having referendums in the UK as arrters may lose interest in politics. Many people felt that their voices were heard where they had not been before. Pros and cons of Brexit. 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! Arguments for private schools. Under what process are referendums carried out? 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 have traditionally been a rarity in the UK. Sometimes an MP can be elected on a vote as low as only . (20 Sep 2011), Manually counting ballots in Block Vote systems 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. Is the Prime Minister Effectively a President? (19 Mar 2014), Formula for the number of Members of Parliament? Answer (1 of 30): Good question, and one that throws a lot of confusion in the air. Infamously, on the morning following the EU Referendum in 2016 the second most googled term in Britain was What was the EU?. "No" voters in 2014 who feared that Scotland might find itself outside the EU - even temporarily - might view the economic risks and opportunities . 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?. Revise the impact of the Brexit referendum of 2016 in which the UK voted to leave the European Union, as part of Bitesize Higher Modern Studies Describe the Advantages and Disadvantages of Referendums. 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. Therefore, it is not really the exercise in direct democracy. 3. Furthermore, if referendums are placed too often, 'voter fatigue' may occur. Now is the time for a peoples vote on the final deal.. The theoretical advantage of flexibility is one that is too easily exploited for self-serving reasons. Get Revising is one of the trading names of The Student Room Group Ltd. Register Number: 04666380 (England and Wales), VAT No. In total 406 constituencies voted Leave in the Brexit Referendum but only around 160 MPs had voted to leave. Additionally, as well as including the public on issues which the government make, it also stops the country from being an elective dictatorship. Birmingham B15 2TT However, realistically most are politically binding. It was right to try to get a better deal for us in Europe. Energy and the environment. (03 Mar 2014), Electoral reforms made by specific assemblies Referendums can settle long-standing and controversial issues once and for all. Before 1997, referendums were rarely used in the UK, due to concerns over the conflict with the principle of parliamentary democracy. Referendums provide the peoples opinion. In Britain there has been an independent electoral commission since 2001. First Past the Post does not give equal voting power across the UK. A good example of this is the Scottish Independence Referendum of 2014. First is their intrinsic worth as an exercise in direct democracy. Good Friday Agreement 1998 received clear support from most of the community (70% Yes) and this allowed peace to maintain with only minor difficulties. 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. 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. Vernon Bogdanor argues that just as joining the EU fundamentally altered the UK constitution, so Brexit could, by exposing the very nakedness of Britain's uncodified . I really enjoy the effort put in. For example, Good Friday Agreement . This would create a de facto advisory referendum in Scotland, although completely unofficially. The Scottish Independence Referendum of 2014 and the Brexit Referendum of 2016 are examples of this. Moreover in most of these cases it . List of the Pros of Referendums. Copyright Get Revising 2023 all rights reserved. The central governent is at Westmi. I know what happens when an industry closes the unemployment, the poverty, the loss of hope, the years it takes to get back on your feet, the grievances that still play out today. Soon after, the UK faced high inflation . Disadvantages. They can be seen as advantages for the democracy but also as disadvantages. At least 22 francs per hour (18 euros, or $25) for each worker: This is the minimum wage proposal that the Swiss voted down on Sunday in a referendum.. A good example of this is the Good Friday Referendum in 1998 which confirmed the history agreement made in Belfast and set out how devolution would work in Northern Ireland. For example, in 2011, the AV Referendum largely became a referendum on performance of the Liberal Democrats in coalition, rather than a referendum on changes to the voting system itself. The ministers indulge in corrupt practices because the people have no control over them. Political education - by widening debate on an issue, referendums create a better educated electorate, who have a stronger incentive to think and act politically. There are a variety of reasons that a referendum might be held. What might be some of the weaknesses of referendums? The European Union has spent much of their time bringing the country along, often reluctantly . What might be the strengths of referendums? Referendums provide constitutional changes that need the peoples assent. Psephology The study of the statistics and probabilities surrounding elections. Get Revising is one of the trading names of The Student Room Group Ltd. Register Number: 04666380 (England and Wales), VAT No. On the other hand, PPC lets you buy prominent positioning on search pages, like Google, potentially bringing much larger audiences to your website. 2. Whilst 52% of voters opted to leave the EU in the referendum, around 60% of MPs wanted to remain. Referendums spread power. Referendums give an equal say to every voter. Whilst they are an example of direct democracy and put power in the hands of voters, there are a number of arguments to suggest that their operation should be limited and that they do more harm than good to British politics. Disadvantages of FPTP Minority of the vote : In most constituencies more people (in total) vote against the winning candidate than for them. 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 is clear that when voting the UK population was not well-educated on Brexit. (26 Jun 2012), Experiences of PR open list system? It was right, if we got a better deal to remain in the EU. 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. an academic expert within 3 minutes. They also claim that, since in many countries turnout at referendums is lower than at national elections, the argument that referendums increase the legitimacy of political decisions does not stand up. Also, the government determine when to hold a referendum and could be done to suit their own needs. The idea that Britain would give up their push toward more equality for women seems low, even if a no-deal Brexit ends up happening. 806 8067 22, Registered office: International House, Queens Road, Brighton, BN1 3XE, Direct/ representative democracy and Nature of Representative democracy, Evaluate how democratic, in practice, initiatives and referendums are in making public policy decisions in the USA. By necessity, referendums simplify incredibly complex issues. Referendums are overall a good tool for democracy, as they make constitutional decisions more legitimate and provide a check on government power, however they are vulnerable to ill-informed votes and may be an inadequate method of approving constitutional changes that will have a very large impact. This makes it difficult to fully understand the clear mandate for a particular policy issue. These are referendums without a clear legal mandate and are often therefore very controversial. The concept applies mainly to political divisions (political parties) among voters.The essence of such systems is that all votes cast - or almost all votes cast - contribute to the result and are effectively used to help elect someone . Another argument for direct democracy being used more widely in the UK is that it prevents the government and MPs making extremely unpopular decisions . In fact, the Government had already tried to use a Referendum in 1973 to settle the Irish issue but it was boycotted by Republicans as they did not feel the settlement it addressed their issues. Although it was thought that this would stem the rising tide of nationalism, in fact, it strengthened the support and influence of the Scottish National Party, whose __2011 __election win paved the way for the __2014 __independence referendum. We explore what it means to be human in historical and cultural contexts, within ethical and legal norms and through languages and communication. Equality Feminism and Difference Feminism, Differing Views and Tensions Within Feminism, Differing Views and Tensions Within Liberalism, Measurements of Success Through Pressure Groups, Differing Views and Tensions Within Socialism, Differing Views and Tensions Within Conservatism, Public are given direct control over policy-making, ensuring their views and interests are directly reflected in policy, Helps to educate the public about important political questions, as they will be better-informed about key issues through referendum campaigns, Makes the government listen to the public more, as it is another way of voters communicating their thoughts other than just through elections, Provides a check on government power- governments dont control the outcome, Ensures that major changes (e.g. Referendums allow the people to participate in politics. To please their own political supporters Sometimes a referendum may be held for party political reasons and in the interest of a particular party, rather than the nation as a whole. Direct Democracy Democracy in which power over decision making is but directly in the hands of citizens. Get Revising is one of the trading names of The Student Room Group Ltd. Register Number: 04666380 (England and Wales), VAT No. Many prominent figures in British Politics had openly spoken out about the potential use of referendums in the UK: I could not consent to the introduction into our national life of a device so alien to all our traditions as the referendum which has only too often been the instrument of Nazism and fascism Clement Attlee, The late Lord Attlee was right when he said that the referendum was a device of dictators and demagogues Margaret Thatcher. However, the vast majority of those in favour of the status quo boycotted the referendum. The parties stances on Brexit have also had electoral consequences, not least the weakening of Labours traditional working class support in some areas. For more information on this licence see: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0 . It is important to note that David Cameron would say that he held the EU Referendum in order to settle a long-standing constitutional issue. Registered office: International House, Queens Road, Brighton, BN1 3XE, Advantages and Disadvantages of Referendums, Society is more likely to accept the decision. This is a disadvantage as this caused upset among many people in Scotland and the decision did not seem fair or an accurate representation of what the people wanted. If Brexit goes ahead, grievances in communities will worsen, so I say to Labour colleagues: we did not get elected to make our constituents poorer and you know thats what Brexit will do. This is the idea that minority interests are swamped by the power of the democratic majority. Third, a referendum may be useful to ensure a broad base of political support for a controversial decision, and lock in a choice that will necessitate riding out unpopular consequences during the implementation. 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. Brexit is a major constitutional change. 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. There have been a number of referendums in the UK: For what reasons might referendums be held? This dramatic policy would not have had legitimacy if it was only agreed by politicians and not by citizens in Northern Ireland. Referendums are limited if the potential outcomes are not prepared for. 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