Referendums

What is a referendum?

• Single issue vote (usually)
• AKA plebiscite or ballot questions
• Might be held at same time as general election or local elections 
• held on issues which are considered to be of particular significance  the people or the long term future of the country
• return to 'direct democracy'
• not legally binding
• usually yes or no
• local referendums have been held in England, Wales and Scotland since 1913.

Examples in the UK 

Before 1997 only four had been held. E.g.:

• NI Sovereignty Referendum, 1973 - 2 questions: should NI remain part of the UK? YES. Should NI join EIRE?  NO
• European Community Membership Referendum, 1975: should UK remain a member of the EEC? YES

Since 1997, Tony Blair keen to restore electorates participation in politics:

• Scottish devolution, 1997
• Welsh Devolution, 1997
• Greater London Authority referendum, 1998
• NI Belfast Agreement, 1998
• North east England devolution, 2004
• Welsh devolution, 2011
• UK AV, 2011

Why do governments call referenda?

• Settle questions…