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. 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. Component 1: UK Politics - referendums. Since __1973 __there have been eleven referendums held in the UK, the majority of them have been related to the issue of devolution. Energy and the environment. Several arguments are advanced in support of and in opposition to referendums. Here are the sticking points that were most important to the remain and leave camps during the Brexit process. This could be seen as undemocratic as only just over half of the voting populations decision was accounted for. 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'. A good example of this is the referendum on the Good Friday Agreement that ended the Troubles on Northern Ireland and set up the power-sharing agreement between nationalist and republican communities. This can perhaps be seen by the four years of political turmoil after the referendum surrounding how Britain should actually withdraw from the EU. (15 Jun 2015), Direct Democratic Elections in Lebanon - How to Get There P1.2-Generating Electricity. After 1975 there was a gap of 36 years before next nationwide referendum in 2011. Advantages and Disadvantages of Brexit Introduction: This paper discusses about Pros and Cons of Brexit and Impact of Brexit on UK Economy. The public's interests are therefore best protected by 'government by politicians' rather than self-government. Some did so, others could not. They can be seen as advantages for the democracy but also as disadvantages. Referendums spread power. 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 . 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. 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. Constitutional issues are a reserved, not devolved, power. AV might reduce the number of safe seats - but it would not eliminate them. The ultimate role of the whole population in deciding whether the deal sticks can be important in prodding elites, otherwise comfortable and secure in their factional power, to do the harder work of engaging with the bigger political picture. The issue realistically has to be broken into a binary question. In the UK, there is a system of representative democracy called "liberal democracy" - in which the people vote for a government through regular elections with secret ballots and a choice of candidates. Essay on the Advantages and Disadvantages of Free Trade. 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. In November 2009, the Committee began an inquiry into "the role of referendums in the UK's constitutional experience". Advantages of referendums. Independent schools provide a very positive learning environment for their pupils, with some of the best teacher-pupil ratios in the country, excellent learner support facilities and other resources . This, therefore, gives the decision taken more legitimacy. 2) What are the main a) advantages and b) disadvantages for the UK of an uncodified constitution? I believe this strategy was the most likely way to keep Britain in the EU. 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. In fact, it is highly unlikely they would have signed the agreement without it. However, since 2011 there have been three nationwide referendums. In fact, until 1975 there had not been a single nationwide referendum on any political issue. Devolved Power A matter devolved for decision-making by a regional assembly. To what extent do the advantages of referendums outweigh the disadvantages? 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. 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. 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. Scottish Devolution 1997 means that it would be extremely hard for a future government to remove their power. But what is AV and how would it . [ 1] Referendums, by which citizens are given the opportunity to express a view on specific issues, have antecedents in the Middle Ages and earlier. Referendums do not have a long history in the UK. Scotland's economy will be worse off. Responsive government - referendums make governments more responsive between elections by forcing them to listen to public opinion, and allow public opinion to be expressed on a particular issue, which cannot be done during elections. "No" voters in 2014 who feared that Scotland might find itself outside the EU - even temporarily - might view the economic risks and opportunities . They therefore become dominated by populism. Once the UK landscape had settled, the focus shifted to the risks and opportunities facing the nation. The advantages and the disadvantages of referendums 'In the wake of the second world war, during the process of decolonisation, several countries broke free from their erstwhile colonial overlords following successful referendums. This is because electors lack the expertise to vote on complicated issues like Brexit. The referendum was a rare example of direct, or participatory, democracy in the UK. In conclusion, there are various disadvantages and advantages to discuss when looking at referendums in the UK. One advantage of using referendums in the UK is that they enable the public that are over 18 to approve or disprove important . 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 It highlighted some advantages and disadvantages of putting decisions directly in the hands of citizens. However, referendums give control over often extremely complex moral and political issues to voters. The strategy failed. However, in the 2016 Referendum each of these eurosceptic votes counted equally. Then, in October, Colombians shocked the world as the narrowest of majorities, 50.2% on a 38% turnout, voted to reject a peace deal negotiated between the government and the leftist guerrillas of the FARC to end its 52-year civil conflict. 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. (16 Nov 2018), Limits to universal suffrage A PowerPoint illustrating how referendums are used in the UK, and what their advantages are. 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. Appointing the official campaign groups for each side of the debate. David Cameron undoubtedly promised (at least in part) to hold a referendum to ease the pressure on his party from the right and thereby win back UKIP members into the Conservative fold. What are the Mechanisms for Reform and Amendment? 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. 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. EEC Membership 1975 stopped the Labour government from collapsing. (25 marks) Referendums are a Well occasionally send you promo and account related email. RETRACTED The question in a referendum is therefore really important. Now is the time for leadership, not followship. 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. (28 May 2019), "Head of list" election model 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. This dramatic policy would not have had legitimacy if it was only agreed by politicians and not by citizens in Northern Ireland. 1. A referendum on 5 May 2011 will ask UK voters whether they would like to replace the country's first past the post system with the alternative vote, or AV, method. 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. 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 UK's decision to leave the EU has left everyone wondering how it will affect people associated with business. In Britain there has been an independent electoral commission since 2001. An example of this the Scottish referendum 2014, which saw 55% of the Scottish people vote no to independence. 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. 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. Political pressure. 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'. 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. European Communities Act (1972) -The Act of Parliament that saw Britain join the EEC in 1973. They are an example of direct democracy and contrast with the representative democracy that usually dominates politics in liberal democracies. 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. This trend may be exacerbated in the case of referendums on complex issues such as constitutional change or international treaties, with which voters are likely to be unfamiliar. There are three primary reasons why one might consider referendums a good idea. Referendums provide the peoples opinion. Referendums do a good job of raising public awareness of key issues. 2. There are also a number of arguments made against the use of referendums. The Ways in Which Parliament Interacts with the Executive. It was right for us to have our say on that deal, and on our membership more broadly. On one hand, you have SEO's more organic approach, where you gradually cultivate an audience, strengthen trust, and build your brand awareness. It is worth noting that in terms of overall population that only 37% of the UK adult population actually voted for Brexit. A referendum provides the opportunity to vote on a single-issue. Conversely, in the 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum the SNP at least published a White paper to show there were some plans for a potential exit. (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 give an equal say to every voter. Political division in both the UK and Colombia has been markedly intensified by the 2016 campaigns there. Call +44 (20) 7633 5430 or email sales.en@ig.com to talk about opening a trading account. Depending on the precise rules adopted, referendums and initiatives 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. Because if you dont, the political costs for both the leaders responsible and the country at large are often vast. Most marketers will recommend SEO, based on the . If there is a difficult decision to make, then a referendum can solidify support for it. Retrieved from http://studymoose.com/describe-the-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-referendums-essay. It provides a level of political support for difficult decisions. Today's most discussed topic all over the world is the fact that UK will possibly leave the EU. On 23 June 2016, the UK electorate voted to leave the European Union. This was more than a protest against the career opportunities that never knock and the affordable homes that never get built. The only real advantage in an uncodified constitution is that it avoids all the problems involved in achieving a codified one. Check out Adapt the A-level & GCSE revision timetable app. Take for instance, in Nigeria there is the 1999 . CHAPTER 1: Introduction. 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. In the case of the EU Referendum, significant amounts of legislation, both primary and secondary, has had to been passed since 2016. So why is this and what might the advantages and disadvantages of referendums be? Referendums are a direct vote by citizens on a political issue. (21 Oct 2010), Inappropriate Electoral Systems List of the Pros of Referendums. 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. R. eferendums trivialise highly complex issues by oversimplifying them into a ' yes ' / ' no ' vote. (15 Dec 2016), Examples of 'vote per household' and multi-stage elections at the municipal level Copyright Get Revising 2023 all rights reserved. Direct democracy mechanisms have been adopted, in part, to counteract these tendencies. A Second Referendum. Is a vote in which the electorate can express a view on a particular issue of public policy. In this referendum 16-year-olds could vote. 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. Unofficial Referendum A referendum that has no legal basis. A referendum helps to make decisions legitimate and confirms the principle of government by consent. In reality, this almost always means that the Westminster Government will have to agree to it too. The EU referendum result led to the resignation of the Prime Minister David Cameron, the election of Theresa May as Conservative leader, and the instillation of, in effect, a new government. Political division in both the UK and Colombia has been markedly intensified by the 2016 campaigns there.. Ill-informed decisions - the general public are less informed than elected politicians, and have no political experience. They are particularly good with Social Law reform, Ireland has used them to good effect here. 806 8067 22 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. 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. First is their intrinsic worth as an exercise in direct democracy. I failedbut it all flowed from an attempt to do the right thing. Brexit would eliminate protections of equal pay, maternity leave, and safe workplaces. For example, an individual might not understand the significance of their vote to a political question, and that it can have long term effects that they may not take into considerationwhilst voting. This is the idea that minority interests are swamped by the power of the democratic majority. Advantages. The Advantages and . It creates considerable constitutional uncertainty, but also an opportunity. 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. By citizens in Northern Ireland also an opportunity of these eurosceptic votes counted equally, which saw 55 of... Political issues to voters not been a single nationwide referendum on any political issue as exercise! 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