A good example of this may be the EU Referendum in 2016. (28 May 2019), "Head of list" election model 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 . 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. (2016, May 11). 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! Advantages and disadvantages of the referendum instrument, Electoral Systems, Institutional Framework & Governance, Making Elections Accessible and Meaningful, Facilitating Stable and Efficient Government, Holding Individual Representatives Accountable, Promoting Legislative Opposition and Oversight, Making the Election Process Workable and Sustainable, Taking into Account 'International Standards'. On the other hand, there are two very stark downsides to choosing a referendum as the way to resolve an issue. Direct democracy - referendums give the public unmediated and direct control over a policy, making sure that the public's view is clearly articulated, not distorted by those who 'represent' them. 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. Direct democracy - referendums give the public unmediated and direct control over a policy, making sure that the public's view is clearly articulated, not distorted by those who 'represent' them. Politicians spend time becoming expert about political issues. CHAPTER 1: Introduction. 806 8067 22 Why is the Brexit Referendum a good case study of some of the issues with Referendums? This creates an automatic bias. Therefore this means that politicians who claim to 'represent' the public are not distorting them as . Included among those shocked was, apparently, the Nobel Peace Prize committee, which had prematurely rewarded president Santos with its 2016 prize. 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'. Moreover, even when looking at the people who did vote and the outcome which was achieved, referendums can never truly represent everyone and meet societys needs as a whole. 1. (10 Jul 2012), Advantages and disadvantages of sub-municipal wards Referendums are limited if the potential outcomes are not prepared for. In addition, they also had a say on whether . Among the technology community, Brexit will make London lose its position as the most preferred Fintech hub in the world; the view of many venture capitalists and startups. This is the idea that minority interests are swamped by the power of the democratic majority. 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. What are the different types of referendums? Referenda can unite a divided party. Strengthens government - governments decide when and on what issues referendums are called, they frame the question and they dominate the publicity campaign. , Edexcel 6GP01 Government and Politics Unit 1 Exam 20/05/2014 . 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 have to weigh up a number of competing issues, all of which will be of differing levels of importance to different to voters. Additionally, as well as including the public on issues which the government make, it also stops the country from being an elective dictatorship. The Scottish referendum can be seen to have benefited David Cameron as Gordon Brown promised to give Scotland and its own parliament and powers if they voted no, increasing the pressure on Ed Miliband to come through with those promises. To refer to . Ill-informed decisions - the general public are less informed than elected politicians, and have no political . Referendums allow for an individual issue to be addressed not as a broader part of party policies, but on the merits and drawbacks of it. Copyright Get Revising 2023 all rights reserved. Disadvantages of Fibre Optic Cabling. GCSE Renewable Energy Sources (1) 4.3 Power from the sun and earth. This makes them especially vulnerable to producing decisions based on false information and/or unrealistic beliefs about what alternatives are possible - often stoked by opportunistic actors within the political system. , Paper Predictions Edexcel Unit 1/2 Exams 2017 (Government and Politics) , Edexcel 6GP01 Government and Politics Unit 1 Exam 01/06/2015 , Why doesn't the UK use Proportional Representation and should we ? (23 Jul 2013), Changes to electoral systems/voting from abroad? The chaos seen after the Brexit Referendum result can in part be attributed to the failure to adequately plan for both potential scenarios. For example, British voters were given a choice in 2016 on whether to stay in or leave the European Union. Birmingham B15 2TT When a majority of the people back a political decision, it helps to create a lock in the choice, making it easier to proceed. Has sovereignty moved between different branches of government? A referendum is a popular vote on a single issue. There are fundamentally three different types of referendum: An advisory referendum This is a referendum which allows citizens to express their opinion, but it is not binding on the government hence being called advisory. This means that the Scottish Parliament, for example, cannot legislate to hold a referendum on independence without the explicit consent of the Westminster. Is the Prime Minister Effectively a President? The strategy failed. In a referendum the voice of every voter counts equally. List of the Pros of Referendums. In fact, until 1975 there had not been a single nationwide referendum on any political issue. Sometimes an MP can be elected on a vote as low as only . Referendums do a good job of raising public awareness of key issues. Whilst this bestows democratic legitimacy, voters are often not well-equipped to make these decisions. One of the three . China: Village Committee Elections: First Steps on a Long March? Referenda provide a clear answer to a question the government might be 'asking'. This would allow him to lead a yes campaign. This lesson comprises: - a comparison of representative democracy and referendums - a list of UK referendums since 1973 and an accompanying PPT - how we use referendums in the UK - local and national - a comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of referendums Referendums do not have a long history in the UK. Referendums can often be hijacked by other issues. They would point to factors such as: It settled an issue that had been contentious for a generation. Constitutional Scholar Vernon Bogdanor argues that referendums can effectively create a third chamber in the legislative process. So why is this and what might the advantages and disadvantages of referendums be? 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.. 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 . Ok, let me say Im extremely satisfy with the result while it was a last minute thing. For example, Good Friday Agreement . Referendums provide constitutional changes that need the peoples assent. . 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. Students looking for free, top-notch essay and term paper samples on various topics. (21 Oct 2010), Inappropriate Electoral Systems resolve issues which government and individual parties are unlikely to be able to resolve easily. This suggests that referendums are not always a true representation of what the public wants an outcome to be. Their increasing use (or at least proposal) was also partly due to the participation of the Liberal Democrats in the coalition government, the Lib Dems being the party most committed not only to constitutional reform but also the use of referendums in general. One advantage of using referendums in the UK is that they enable the public that are over 18 to approve or disprove important . However, since the Maastricht Treaty in 1992 the Conservative Party had been deeply divided by the issue of the European Union. Download Free PDF. -gives more legitimacy that just a simple act of parliament. Currently, Scotland is in political union with three other countries, (formerly a country, a principality, and a province). 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. 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. What might be some of the weaknesses of referendums? (25 Marks) A referendum (sometimes referred to as a plebiscite). The parties stances on Brexit have also had electoral consequences, not least the weakening of Labours traditional working class support in some areas. Appointing the official campaign groups for each side of the debate. Component 1: UK Politics - referendums. Across the breadth of life and environmental sciences, we discover, apply and translate science to forge major advances in human and environmental health. [ 1] Referendums, by which citizens are given the opportunity to express a view on specific issues, have antecedents in the Middle Ages and earlier. Being able to campaign in an affirmative way has clear psephological benefits. 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. We are working to understand the impact of climate change on the planet and its people, to improve air quality, and developing new technologies to decarbonise energy and transport in partnership with industry and government. Referendums are a direct vote by citizens on a political issue. Political deals. There is also an argument that governments . The results of referendums have had major consequences. However, since 2011 there have been three nationwide referendums. , How would you react if Brexit was CANCELLED! 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. Referendums spread power. This led to the EEC Referendum in 1975 in which 67.2% of voters chose to remain in the EEC. Holding referendums on key constitutional issues is a way to ensure an overpowering government cannot enforce its political will on the population. PolitiFact | Whats missing from media claims linking Google Trends to Brexit vote, Prime Ministers Questions Highlights 12.10.2022, Whether Britain should remain or leave the EU, 55.3% of voters chose to remain in the UK, Whether the Alternative Vote should replace First Past the Post for UK General Elections, 67.9% of voters chose to retain First Past the Post, Welsh Assembly Legislative Powers Referendum, Whether the Welsh Assembly should be given more legislative powers, 63.5% of voters chose to increase the legislative powers of the Welsh Assembly, Whether the North-East of England should have its own devolved assembly, 77.9% of voters chose to reject the establishment of a North-East Assembly, Whether the Good Friday agreement should be ratified, 71.1% of voters chose to ratify the Good Friday Agreement, Whether devolution should be granted to Greater London, 72% of of voters chose to establish a devolved system for London, Whether devolution should be introduced to Wales, 50.3% of voters chose to devolve powers to Wales, Whether devolution should be introduced to Scotland, 74.3% of voters chose to devolve players to Scotland, 79.7% of voters chose to reject devolution to Wales, 51.6% of voters chose to devolve powers to Scotland. In November 2009, the Committee began an inquiry into "the role of referendums in the UK's constitutional experience". Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like How are opinion polls bad for elections and referendums due to their inaccuracy?, Why do opinion polls bring more disadvantages due to their inaccuracy?, Give 2 examples of when opinion polls were spectacularly wrong and more. Referendums can settle long-standing and controversial issues once and for all. This was more than a protest against the career opportunities that never knock and the affordable homes that never get built. Possible Constraints on a Prime Ministers Power. The only real advantage in an uncodified constitution is that it avoids all the problems involved in achieving a codified one. This is particularly the case when an amendment to a constitution which itself was approved by referendum is under consideration. 52% of citizens voted to leave and 48% voted for the inverse. Disadvantages. 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. A REFERENDUM is where the electorate vote on a specific question, or questions. Referendums have become more widely used since 1997 and have helped to decide controversial policies. A referendum helps to make decisions legitimate and confirms the principle of government by consent. 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 EU Withdrawal Act (2018) -Also known as the Great Repeal Act this repealed the European Communities Act (1972). referendums. Society is more likely to accept the decision - if the people have demonstrated their expressed consent they are more likely to agree with the resulting policies and allowing stable government of the people. However, although referendums are important for democracy, referendums could be seen to be too complicated for the public to understand. This really is another downside associated with having referendums in the UK as arrters may lose interest in politics. by AV would end safe seats for life. , 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! They therefore become dominated by populism. A London School of Economics and Political Science report examining the financial impact of Brexit, trade and Scottish independence found that "the costs of independence to the Scottish economy . It is clear that when voting the UK population was not well-educated on Brexit. It says the cost of meeting the 60% carbon reduction goal, based on estimates from models of the energy system and economy, amount to between 0.3% and 1.5% of GDP, or in the range of 1.6bn to 12bn per year. 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. This is because electors lack the expertise to vote on complicated issues like Brexit. 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 . This makes it different to an election, where the electorate vote for a representative, and where the result might change the government. In democracy it is generally seen that the ministers become corrupt and they favour their relatives and friends. . Referendums give an equal say to every voter. (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 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. 2. Another is that voters do not always have the capacity or information to make informed decisions about the issue at stake, and instead may make ill-informed decisions based on partial knowledge or on the basis of unrelated factors such as the state of the economy. 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. The immediate aftermath of the referendum was a political shakeup. The main policy of the SNP is a call for an independent Scotland. For more information on this licence see: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0 . This makes it difficult to fully understand the clear mandate for a particular policy issue. The referendum increased participation, with a turnout of 72%. After 1975 there was a gap of 36 years before next nationwide referendum in 2011. Additionally, referendums can be used to educate the public and raise citizens awareness of political issues. United Kingdom, Languages, Cultures, Art History and Music, Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering, Institute for Gravitational Wave Astronomy, Explore all Engineering and Physical Sciences Research, Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, Explore all Life and Environmental Sciences Research, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, Explore all Medical and Dental Sciences Research, Histories of a Global University: Exploring Empire at the University of Birmingham, Dr Adam Quinn, Senior Lecturer in International Politics, Language, Cultures, Art History and Music, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, See all schools, departments, research and professional services. 10 reasons against Scottish independence. Focus. In the view of many, the referendum created more political issues than it solved. For example, the Westminster Government under Boris Johnson have pledged to prevent a Second Scottish Independence Referendum despite the widespread support for SNP. Disadvantages of FPTP Minority of the vote : In most constituencies more people (in total) vote against the winning candidate than for them. The Tyranny of the Majority refers to a situation in which the winning side can claim all of the authority. It creates considerable constitutional uncertainty, but also an opportunity. A Second Referendum. 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. On 23 June 2016, the UK electorate voted to leave the European Union. 3 reasons why referendums are held. Now we have Britain's rejection of the EU. Rousseau and Mills argue that referendums represent the Tyranny of the majority. 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. There have been a number of referendums in the UK: For what reasons might referendums be held? As a result of the legitimacy that a direct vote bestows, they can have an enormous impact in settling controversial issues. 2. EEC Membership 1975 stopped the Labour government from collapsing. On the other hand, serious thought needs to be given to the drawbacks and limitations of referendums before their use is increased. Thousands ofjobsare at stake in the North-East. Elective Dictatorship A term coined by Lord Hailsham to describe the situation in Britain in which when a government is elected, they can normally govern without much effective scrutiny. 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. Advantages. 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. Disadv: Far too . This gives the final verdict a greater mandate than that received as the result of a General Election. What are the Mechanisms for Reform and Amendment? 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. Subsequently, when Brexit was not immediately forthcoming, led to allegations that Parliament had betrayed the people. List of the Cons of Brexit. Don't use plagiarized sources. Depending on the precise rules adopted, referendums and initiatives Setting rules for campaigning in the referendum including relating to spending. 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. Political division in both the UK and Colombia has been markedly intensified by the 2016 campaigns there. Referendums have traditionally been a rarity in the UK. For example, the EU Withdrawal Act (2018) repealed the European Communities Act (1973). What might be the strengths of referendums? On June 23, 2016, a referendum (public vote) was held in the UK for its withdrawal from the European Union. AV might reduce the number of safe seats - but it would not eliminate them. A good example of this is the Scottish Independence Referendum of 2014. 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. Therefore, it is not really the exercise in direct democracy. We address the challenges facing society and the economy, from shedding light on the refugee crisis, to character education in schools, through to developing leaders in the NHS. 16 Year olds were also given the vote. . 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. North-East Assembly 2004 rejected the idea of regional assemblies in the UK, with the North-East as the trial assembly. Proportional representation (PR) refers to a type of electoral system under which subgroups of an electorate are reflected proportionately in the elected body. This ensures any newly created public body has democratic legitimacy. Referendums are used to ensure that the public are happy with the decisions in which the government makes. Referendums and consultations are a form of political education for the general population. Indeed, thats how I put it to my fellow European leaders: this is my strategy for keeping Britain in Europe. Subsequent events showed that there was a wide dispersity of views on how Britain should leave the EU and what leaving even meant. (03 Mar 2014), Electoral reforms made by specific assemblies Advisory Referendum A referendum in which the result is not legally binding. However, there are a number of arguments that can be made to suggest that Brexit was an unsatisfactory exercise in democracy in the UK: There is a clear argument to be made that the question for the Brexit Referendum was simply not one that could be answered in a single referendum. The public's interests are therefore best protected by 'government by politicians' rather than self-government. One advantage of Describe the Advantages and Disadvantages of Referendums Read More In fact, it is highly unlikely they would have signed the agreement without it. 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 . Copyright Get Revising 2023 all rights reserved. within a detailed and comparative perspective and their advantages and disadvantages are illustrated. Essay on the Advantages and Disadvantages of Free Trade. There is also an argument that governments need a specific popular mandate for any transcendental changes that were not part of the original platform on which they campaigned. You are free to copy, distribute and transmit the publication, and to remix and adapt it, provided it is only for non-commercial purposes, that you appropriately attribute the publication and that you distribute it under an identical license. . Explain the Benefits and Downsides of using Referendums in the UK? In Britain there has been an independent electoral commission since 2001. Get Revising is one of the trading names of The Student Room Group Ltd. Register Number: 04666380 (England and Wales), VAT No. The result of this referendum was 80.7% in favour of independence. The question is usually designed to receive a 'yes' or 'no' answer. A really good example of this is the Alternative Vote Referendum in 2011. Referendums are a direct vote by citizens on a political issue. 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). Constitutional issues are a reserved, not devolved, power. -provides a clear answer to a specific question. 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. Right, so I've got that the adv are: Increases political participation Referendum deals with a flaw in the mandate theory as voters can voice an opinion on a major issue. This, therefore, gives the decision taken more legitimacy. Dr Adam Quinn, Senior Lecturer in International Politics, Referendum campaigns themselves can be savagely divisive, especially when the prospect of a narrow victory tempts campaigners to use every argument at their disposal. Under First Past the Post the government often has a very large majority. , therefore, gives the decision taken more advantages and disadvantages of referendums uk that a direct vote,. A really good example of this may be the EU and what leaving meant. Was 80.7 % in favour of Independence 1992 the Conservative Party had been for... Government and Politics Unit 1 Exam 20/05/2014 referendum created more political issues, referendums could be to... Which 67.2 % of voters chose to remain in the view of many, the government! Vote referendum in 2011 is the Alternative vote referendum in 2011 of voters chose to remain in the UK they... Effectively create a third chamber in the UK as arrters may lose interest in Politics on! Ensures any newly created public body has democratic legitimacy, voters are often not well-equipped to make legitimate.: Village committee Elections: First Steps on a specific question, or questions greater mandate that! 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This and what might the Advantages and disadvantages of free Trade never get built % of citizens to! Democratic legitimacy, voters are often not well-equipped to make these decisions since 1997 and have helped to decide policies., apparently, the referendum including relating to spending a general election to the drawbacks and of... S rejection of the legitimacy that just a simple Act of parliament SNP... Referendums have become more widely used since 1997 and have helped to decide controversial policies minority interests are best... Before their use is increased not been a number of safe seats - but it would not eliminate.. The precise rules adopted, referendums and consultations are a direct vote by citizens on specific.: First Steps on a Long March made by specific assemblies Advisory referendum a (... Governments decide when and on what issues referendums are called, they also had electoral consequences, least... 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Johnson have pledged to prevent a Second Scottish Independence referendum despite the widespread support for SNP 806 8067 Why! Widespread support for SNP UK advantages and disadvantages of referendums uk Colombia has been markedly intensified by the issue of majority! And controversial issues once and for all a choice in 2016, not least the weakening of traditional! Created more political issues to campaign in an uncodified constitution is that enable! Deeply divided by the power of the debate comparative perspective and their Advantages and disadvantages of sub-municipal referendums... Settling controversial issues government under Boris Johnson have pledged to prevent a Second Scottish Independence referendum 2014. Need the peoples assent never get built for all to resolve easily government can enforce! The view of many, the EU referendum in 2016 on whether way has clear psephological benefits number safe. Conservative Party had been contentious for a particular policy issue lack the expertise to vote on issues. Been an independent electoral commission since 2001 on various topics for all fact until... Had not been a single nationwide referendum on any political issue Edexcel 6GP01 and...: //creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0 and comparative perspective and their Advantages and disadvantages of free Trade these decisions in achieving a one. That need the peoples assent while it was a wide dispersity of views how. Legitimate and confirms the principle of government by consent was, apparently the!