Evaluate the view that referendums enhance democracy
Thesis – they do enhance democracy
Point 1 – direct democracy – purest form of democracy, direct voice of the people + encourages political
participation and engagement
2014 Scottish Independence referendum: 84%
2016 EU Referendum: 72%
The last UK general election to have turnout this high was in 1950 (83.9%)
Holding of referendums between GE gives the people an opportunity to have their say more
frequently, preventing the government from becoming remote an unaccountable
They are a check on 'elective dictatorships'
Turnout low in GE: voters living in safe seats + supporters of third parties, are unheard
Few people join political parties because members have little influence over policy decisions and
candidate selection
In contrast, referendums give everyone an equal voice, without concerns about broken manifesto
promises or wasted votes
COUNTER – not always high turnout, not a good mandate
1997 Welsh Assembly referendum – low turnout of 50.1%
‘Yes’ campaign won by the extremely narrow majority of 50.3%
Only 1/4 of the electorate endorsed this substantial constitutional reform
Should London have an elected mayor? -> turnout of 34%
Referendums trivialise highly complex issues by oversimplifying them into a ‘yes’/’no’ vote – too
uninformed, regretting their choices
LINK – referendums often provide a strong popular mandate on controversial topics + educational
Alternative Vote referendum in 2011 produced a clear ‘no’ majority (67.9%), which proved that there
is no need to change the Westminster electoral system
Referendums increase participation, increases political awareness around important constitutional
issues: 2014 Scottish one praised for giving opportunity to air issues related to independence, like
impact on economy and future of Trident
No need for tactical voting
Point 2 – Referendums can settle controversial issues in a more decisive way than Parliament could alone
2011 Welsh Devolution Referendum had a decisive decision of 63.49% for yes – a clear majority
North East England devolution referendum, 2004: 77% no – issue has been settled with a clear
majority
By comparison, the controversial Lisbon Treaty, which made substantial changes to our relationship
with the EU, wasn’t approved with a referendum and was challenged + criticised ever since
COUNTER – Referendums don’t provide a resolution to highly divisive issues
The Scottish independence referendum in 2014 serves as a prime example
Despite the highest turnout (84.6%) since universal suffrage was introduced in 1928 and a clear
majority (55.3%) voting ‘no’, the movement for Scottish independence continues to thrive
The SNP even built their 2017 election campaign on the promise of a second referendum – led the
press to dub the whole process as a ‘neverendum’
LINK – referendums still give the electorate a say in big constitutional issues, referendums can’t solve things
straight away but can help things evolve, aiding democracy
When the first referendum was defeated, Westminster introduced another one due to popular
support
Referendums on creating a Scottish Parliament and Welsh Parliament were both defeated in 1979 –
didn’t settle issue
Referendums were held again in 1997 and this time the devolution plans were approved. But again,
this did not settle the issue – Wales still fighting for more power
Thesis – they do enhance democracy
Point 1 – direct democracy – purest form of democracy, direct voice of the people + encourages political
participation and engagement
2014 Scottish Independence referendum: 84%
2016 EU Referendum: 72%
The last UK general election to have turnout this high was in 1950 (83.9%)
Holding of referendums between GE gives the people an opportunity to have their say more
frequently, preventing the government from becoming remote an unaccountable
They are a check on 'elective dictatorships'
Turnout low in GE: voters living in safe seats + supporters of third parties, are unheard
Few people join political parties because members have little influence over policy decisions and
candidate selection
In contrast, referendums give everyone an equal voice, without concerns about broken manifesto
promises or wasted votes
COUNTER – not always high turnout, not a good mandate
1997 Welsh Assembly referendum – low turnout of 50.1%
‘Yes’ campaign won by the extremely narrow majority of 50.3%
Only 1/4 of the electorate endorsed this substantial constitutional reform
Should London have an elected mayor? -> turnout of 34%
Referendums trivialise highly complex issues by oversimplifying them into a ‘yes’/’no’ vote – too
uninformed, regretting their choices
LINK – referendums often provide a strong popular mandate on controversial topics + educational
Alternative Vote referendum in 2011 produced a clear ‘no’ majority (67.9%), which proved that there
is no need to change the Westminster electoral system
Referendums increase participation, increases political awareness around important constitutional
issues: 2014 Scottish one praised for giving opportunity to air issues related to independence, like
impact on economy and future of Trident
No need for tactical voting
Point 2 – Referendums can settle controversial issues in a more decisive way than Parliament could alone
2011 Welsh Devolution Referendum had a decisive decision of 63.49% for yes – a clear majority
North East England devolution referendum, 2004: 77% no – issue has been settled with a clear
majority
By comparison, the controversial Lisbon Treaty, which made substantial changes to our relationship
with the EU, wasn’t approved with a referendum and was challenged + criticised ever since
COUNTER – Referendums don’t provide a resolution to highly divisive issues
The Scottish independence referendum in 2014 serves as a prime example
Despite the highest turnout (84.6%) since universal suffrage was introduced in 1928 and a clear
majority (55.3%) voting ‘no’, the movement for Scottish independence continues to thrive
The SNP even built their 2017 election campaign on the promise of a second referendum – led the
press to dub the whole process as a ‘neverendum’
LINK – referendums still give the electorate a say in big constitutional issues, referendums can’t solve things
straight away but can help things evolve, aiding democracy
When the first referendum was defeated, Westminster introduced another one due to popular
support
Referendums on creating a Scottish Parliament and Welsh Parliament were both defeated in 1979 –
didn’t settle issue
Referendums were held again in 1997 and this time the devolution plans were approved. But again,
this did not settle the issue – Wales still fighting for more power
