They would point to factors such as: It settled an issue that had been contentious for a generation. They can be seen as advantages for the democracy but also as disadvantages. In reality, this almost always means that the Westminster Government will have to agree to it too. There are three primary reasons why one might consider referendums a good idea. What are the different types of referendums? The advantages of fibre optic certainly outweigh any disadvantages but it would be disingenuous not to mention the potential issues. 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. Disadv: Far too . 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. Brexit was . Through the system of recall, they will be under the control of the people. Depending on the precise rules adopted, referendums and initiatives 2. Political pressure. 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 . Constitutional changes - it is appropriate that constitutional changes be approved by public referendum, as they affect the way the country is governed, so are more important than ordinary laws. The reasons for leaving were numerous, including questionable immigration policies, concerns over Brussels micromanaging UK affairs, and doubts about whether remaining in the EU was in the best economic interests of the UK. Scots will not be ready for another independence referendum until a stronger economic case is made to break from the UK, according to SNP leadership hopeful Kate Forbes. On one hand, you have SEO's more organic approach, where you gradually cultivate an audience, strengthen trust, and build your brand awareness. 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. . Copyright Get Revising 2023 all rights reserved. Political education - by widening debate on an issue, referendums create a better educated electorate, who have a stronger incentive to think and act politically. For example, the EU Withdrawal Act (2018) repealed the European Communities Act (1973). In 2014, the wantaway region of Spain, Catalonia, held an unofficial referendum after being refused formal permission by the Spanish Government for a binding referendum. 3. 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. Referendums do not have a long history in the UK. 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. An example of a one being used for this function is the 1998 referendum which was utilized to identify whether Blair and the Labour Party should devolve power to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. A REFERENDUM is where the electorate vote on a specific question, or questions. Dr Quinn is host of POLSIS Dr Quinn is host of POLSIS Political Worldview podcast the latest edition of which discusses referendums and their perils. Also, the government determine when to hold a referendum and could be done to suit their own needs. 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 question in a referendum is therefore really important. This has happened a number of times, for example the Welsh Legislative Powers Referendum in 2011. Scottish Devolution 1997 means that it would be extremely hard for a future government to remove their power. 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. As a result of the legitimacy that a direct vote bestows, they can have an enormous impact in settling controversial issues. Whilst this bestows democratic legitimacy, voters are often not well-equipped to make these decisions. Additional materials, such as the best quotations, synonyms and word definitions to make your writing easier are also offered here. . It was right to try to get a better deal for us in Europe. I really enjoy the effort put in. They are also good for dealing with areas wher. P1.2-Generating Electricity. Such episodes served to highlight both the seductive attraction and grave perils of referendums for those who decide to hold them. 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. Describe the Advantages and Disadvantages of Referendums. It was a protest against . "No" voters in 2014 who feared that Scotland might find itself outside the EU - even temporarily - might view the economic risks and opportunities . Explain the Benefits and Downsides of using Referendums in the UK? Brexit is now a moral issue, and the next few weeks will test our moral resolve. 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'. Advisory Referendum A referendum in which the result is not legally binding. 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. . The theoretical advantage of flexibility is one that is too easily exploited for self-serving reasons. There is also an argument that governments . North-East Assembly 2004 rejected the idea of regional assemblies in the UK, with the North-East as the trial assembly. 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. 2. Additionally, referendums can be used to educate the public and raise citizens awareness of political issues. Is a vote in which the electorate can express a view on a particular issue of public policy. 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). (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). Investigating any wrongdoing relating to the referendum. Those votes cast in marginal seats have much weight than those in safe seats where a vote is very unlikely to make a difference. For fear of recall, they will hesitate to do any undesirable thing. 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Advantages and disadvantages of FPTP system, Advantages and disadvantages of Two-Round System (TRS), Proportional representation related issues, Advantages and disadvantages of Parallel systems, Advantages & Disadvantages of Limited Vote, Electoral System Tiers and Hybrid Systems, Additional Issues Relevant to Post-conflict and Transitional Elections, Electing a President - First Past The Post, Electing a President - Preferential Voting, Electing a President - Distribution Requirements, Elections for Different Tiers of Governance, Electing Federal/State Assemblies and Autonomous Jurisdictions, Design and Political issues of Referendums, Advantages and disadvantages of the citizens initiative instrument, Advantages and disadvantages of the recall instrument, Cost and Administrative Implications of Electoral Systems, Electoral Systems and the Drawing of Electoral Boundaries, Electoral Systems and the Registration of Voters, Electoral Systems and the Design and Production of Ballot Papers, Electoral Systems and Number of Polling Days, Cost and administrative implications - conclusions, Bolivia: Electoral Reform in Latin America, Brazil: Candidate-Centred PR in a Presidential System, British Columbia: Empowered Citizen Participation, Chile: A System Frozen by Elite Interests. (19 Mar 2014), Formula for the number of Members of Parliament? 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. 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. 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'. There have been a number of referendums in the UK: For what reasons might referendums be held? Soon after, the UK faced high inflation . The Liberal Democrats, who were long-time supporters of electoral reform, insisted on this as part of the Coalition Agreement. 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 Switzerland has a long tradition here as well. 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. Focus. However, referendums have become much more commonplace since with both national referendums and a number of very significant regional referendums. Referendums do a good job of raising public awareness of key issues. In 2007 the SNP won the Scottish Election and did so again in 2011. 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. 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. In addition, they also had a say on whether . First is their intrinsic worth as an exercise in direct democracy. This can be seen in how Boris Johnson tried to approach Brexit upon becoming PM in July 2019 when he was willing (or at least appeared to be willing) to risk a No-Deal Brexit in the name of representing the 52% of the UK who voted to leave. 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'. Advantages of referendums in regard to constitutional changes. Now is the time for leadership, not followship. Strengthens government - governments decide when and on what issues referendums are called, they frame the question and they dominate the publicity campaign. 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. Opponents of referendums also argue that, if the executive has the power to determine when referendums are held, they can be used as a political tool to suit the needs of the governing party rather than the interests of democracy. (10 Jul 2012), Advantages and disadvantages of sub-municipal wards Sometimes an MP can be elected on a vote as low as only . Referenda provide a clear answer to a question the government might be 'asking'. Whilst 52% of voters opted to leave the EU in the referendum, around 60% of MPs wanted to remain. Possible Constraints on a Prime Ministers Power. The referendum was a rare example of direct, or participatory, democracy in the UK. (20 Sep 2011), Manually counting ballots in Block Vote systems Constitutional issues are a reserved, not devolved, power. It is entirely at the discretion of the government as to whether or not to hold a referendum. 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