Unless Nicola Sturgeon has been conducted the poorest bluff in political history, it seems that Scotland is once again set for a referendum on independence. Good examples of this are the Scottish Independence Referendum in 2014 and the EU Referendum in 2016. Politicians spend time becoming expert about political issues. Referendums are held only at the discretion of the Government. The Scottish Independence Referendum of 2014 and the Brexit Referendum of 2016 are examples of this. 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. an academic expert within 3 minutes. Now is the time for leadership, not followship. One advantage of Describe the Advantages and Disadvantages of Referendums Read More The older term for a referendum is a PLEBISCITE . Answer (1 of 4): The advantage of a referendum is that it is giving direct democratic control to the people. Political education - by widening debate on an issue, referendums create a better educated electorate, who have a stronger incentive to think and act politically. Advantages. 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. Here are the sticking points that were most important to the remain and leave camps during the Brexit process. 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. 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. . Because if you dont, the political costs for both the leaders responsible and the country at large are often vast. Ill-informed decisions - the general public are less informed than elected politicians, and have no political experience. However, there are also many disadvantages to having referendums . The UK EU . 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. Constitutional issues are a reserved, not devolved, power. The chaos seen after the Brexit Referendum result can in part be attributed to the failure to adequately plan for both potential scenarios. The decision being put to the people meant it was legitimised. 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. prevent government from making unpopular decisions. In a referendum the voice of every voter counts equally. This term refers to the idea that once a government gets into power, the public lose their say and ability to express their opinions, enabling the government to make decisions on our behalf instead of consulting with us. 5. The Australian government is presently considering a plebiscite on the issue of marriage equality even though a clear majority in favour exists in parliament; many are strongly opposed on the grounds that such a campaign would be socially divisive, and might even provide a platform that legitimises hate speech. 1. This gives the final verdict a greater mandate than that received as the result of a General Election. It provides a level of political support for difficult decisions. Strengthens government - governments decide when and on what issues referendums are called, they frame the question and they dominate the publicity campaign. Copyright Get Revising 2023 all rights reserved. This really is another downside associated with having referendums in the UK as arrters may lose interest in politics. When a majority of the people back a political decision, it helps to create a lock in the choice, making it easier to proceed. 806 8067 22 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 referendums. Technically, because of parliamentary sovereignty, all referendums in the UK are advisory. Not every member of the public will be interested in politics or in fact have a clear understanding of the political system in Britain and this could affect the voters outcome. Whilst this bestows democratic legitimacy, voters are often not well-equipped to make these decisions. It could prove Britain's constitutional moment. China: Village Committee Elections: First Steps on a Long March? Disadvantages. (04 May 2017), Comparative examples of rules and procedures applying to by-elections To what extent do the advantages of referendums outweigh the disadvantages? 4. Referendums in a direct democracy give the general public direct and unmediated control over government decision-making. This happened in the Labour Government under Harold Wilson. 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. This is particularly the case when an amendment to a constitution which itself was approved by referendum is under consideration. They are currently taking the UK Government to the Supreme Court over the refusal of Westminster to countenance a second independence referendum. 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. Advantages. This led to the EEC Referendum in 1975 in which 67.2% of voters chose to remain in the EEC. Edgbaston North-East Assembly 2004 rejected the idea of regional assemblies in the UK, with the North-East as the trial assembly. 3. Primary Legislation Legislation passed having gone through the different stages in Parliament. Once the UK landscape had settled, the focus shifted to the risks and opportunities facing the nation. The Liberal Democrats, who were long-time supporters of electoral reform, insisted on this as part of the Coalition Agreement. Arguments for private schools. 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. 2) What are the main a) advantages and b) disadvantages for the UK of an uncodified constitution? In the view of many, the referendum created more political issues than it solved. At elections, voters elected representatives to take difficult decisions on their behalf. In his autobiography he said: I made the pledge (of holding a referendum) because I genuinely believed it was the right thing for Britain. A really good example of this is the Alternative Vote Referendum in 2011. They are also good for dealing with areas wher. -provides a clear answer to a specific question. The Tyranny of the Majority refers to a situation in which the winning side can claim all of the authority. Much of the blame for this can be placed on the government of David Cameron that did very little contingency planning for a leave vote. 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. Check out Adapt the A-level & GCSE revision timetable app. 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. A good example of a post-legislative referendum was the AV Referendum where a bill had been written and agreed and the referendum was the final stage in the process. Don't use plagiarized sources. Get Revising is one of the trading names of The Student Room Group Ltd. Register Number: 04666380 (England and Wales), VAT No. 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. The advantages and disadvantages of different electrical energy sources. Second, many technology firms rely on inventors from all . They therefore become dominated by populism. 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. Should UK adopt a written constitution considering advantages and disadvantages? Political division in both the UK and Colombia has been markedly intensified by the 2016 campaigns there. A referendum provides the opportunity to vote on a single-issue. 5. Different people have different personal definitions. Referendums spread power. [ 1] Referendums, by which citizens are given the opportunity to express a view on specific issues, have antecedents in the Middle Ages and earlier. The word "constitution" is also used to refer to a document that contains, sets out the framework and the principal functions of the organs of government within the state, and declares the principles by which those organs must operate. Physics P1 4.4 Energy and the environment. . 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. 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. One advantage of using referendums in the UK is that they enable the public that are over 18 to approve or disprove important . By necessity, referendums simplify incredibly complex issues. This was more than a protest against the career opportunities that never knock and the affordable homes that never get built. 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. Referendums are used frequently in the UK. 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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. There can be widespread scrutiny of that issue and education surrounding it. Additionally, referendums can be used to educate the public and raise citizens' awareness of political issues. The contribute demonstrate in eleven main reasons why the turnout requirement should be abolished: the vote should be free and decisive, meaning that citizens who participate in a referendum . Pros and cons of Brexit. You can get a custom paper by one of our expert writers. This is another disadvantage associated with holding referendums in the UK as voters may lose interest in politics. Referendums can settle long-standing and controversial issues once and for all. 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. (30 marks), Unit 3C: Representative processes in the USA, Media, opinion polls and election case studies, See all Government & Politics resources , Why are people against an EU referendum? Explain the Benefits and Downsides of using Referendums in the UK? by These are referendums without a clear legal mandate and are often therefore very controversial. Citizens are protected from an over-powerful government. For example, British voters were given a choice in 2016 on whether to stay in or leave the European Union. First, June saw an unexpected British vote to leave the European Union (EU). RETRACTED In the case of the EU Referendum, significant amounts of legislation, both primary and secondary, has had to been passed since 2016. What might be the strengths of referendums? Unofficial Referendum A referendum that has no legal basis. Referendums are limited if the potential outcomes are not prepared for. Referendums are the purest form of democracy as it is entirely up to the people to decide. 2. Scottish Devolution 1997 means that it would be extremely hard for a future government to remove their power. Registered office: International House, Queens Road, Brighton, BN1 3XE. However, there was little discussion on what leaving would mean and how Britain might leave the EU. Answer (1 of 30): Good question, and one that throws a lot of confusion in the air. 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. Referendums allow for a single issue to be addressed on its own merits. For many people Brexit was a magnificent exercise in democracy in Britain. Download Free PDF. Subsequently, when Brexit was not immediately forthcoming, led to allegations that Parliament had betrayed the people. 2. The central governent is at Westmi. 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. 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'. One advantage of using referendums in the UK is that they enable the public that are over 18 to approve or disprove important . 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. 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 the idea that minority interests are swamped by the power of the democratic majority. 5. In addition, they also had a say on whether . 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. 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. But what is AV and how would it . Referendums are used to ensure that the public are happy with the decisions in which the government makes. Brexit was . 3. 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. Since __1973 __there have been eleven referendums held in the UK, the majority of them have been related to the issue of devolution. Constitutional issues. We cannot let something we know will harm our constituents go ahead. It is worth noting that in terms of overall population that only 37% of the UK adult population actually voted for Brexit. Should further powers be given to devolved governments? If there is a difficult decision to make, then a referendum can solidify support for it. R. eferendums trivialise highly complex issues by oversimplifying them into a ' yes ' / ' no ' vote. In 2007 the SNP won the Scottish Election and did so again in 2011. A REFERENDUM is where the electorate vote on a specific question, or questions. Moreover in most of these cases it . The European Union has spent much of their time bringing the country along, often reluctantly . (20 Dec 2011), Proportional Representation in Hong Kong Government For example, the Westminster Government under Boris Johnson have pledged to prevent a Second Scottish Independence Referendum despite the widespread support for SNP. 2. Take for instance, in Nigeria there is the 1999 . It highlighted some advantages and disadvantages of putting decisions directly in the hands of citizens. 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. 98.9% of voters chose to remain in the UK (the referendum was boycotted by nationalists). It undermined representative democracy. However, since 2011 there have been three nationwide referendums. Setting rules for campaigning in the referendum including relating to spending. Now we have Britain's rejection of the EU. Investigating any wrongdoing relating to the referendum. They are particularly good with Social Law reform, Ireland has used them to good effect here. 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. View Do the advantages of referendums outweigh the disadvantages from MC 527 at Jackson State University. 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. Additional materials, such as the best quotations, synonyms and word definitions to make your writing easier are also offered here. Today's most discussed topic all over the world is the fact that UK will possibly leave the EU. In fact, until 1975 there had not been a single nationwide referendum on any political issue. There is therefore a danger of neverendums. On June 23 rd, referendum was announced from European Union.It was perhaps a better decision at state level that why would their country be . Depending on the precise rules adopted, referendums and initiatives Additionally, referendums can be used to educate the public and raise citizens awareness of political issues. Devolved Power A matter devolved for decision-making by a regional assembly. This could be seen as undemocratic as only just over half of the voting populations decision was accounted for. One of the major advantages of a written constitution is the fact that it can be easily consulted. 5. 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). This is unsurprising, as they tend to be on significant issues. This makes it different to an election, where the electorate vote for a representative, and where the result might change the government. Copyright Get Revising 2023 all rights reserved. Renewable Energy. This would allow him to lead a yes campaign. There are three primary reasons why one might consider referendums a good idea. Referendums are an example of direct democracy, whereas elections are a form of representative democracy. This is because electors lack the expertise to vote on complicated issues like Brexit. However, if permission is refused, Sturgeon has said the SNP will put forward a one-line manifesto in the next general election simply saying the SNP are standing for independence. Ok, let me say Im extremely satisfy with the result while it was a last minute thing. Referendums can be advisory (where the government does not have to implement the result), or binding (where the government is compelled to enact the result). 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. Majority of them have been eleven referendums held in the UK government to their. 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