Advantages of referendums in regard to constitutional changes. . This can perhaps be seen by the four years of political turmoil after the referendum surrounding how Britain should actually withdraw from the EU. Referendums are held only at the discretion of the Government. (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. Explain the Benefits and Downsides of using Referendums in the UK? Government plans to build a network of 10 freeports after the end of the Brexit transition period are unlikely to have any material impact on the UK economy because duty savings are so small as to . In conclusion, there are various disadvantages and advantages to discuss when looking at referendums in the UK. A good example of this may be the EU Referendum in 2016. 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. 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. 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. people will not respect the decisions that they make themselves. There is also an argument that governments . They are an example of direct democracy and contrast with the representative democracy that usually dominates politics in liberal democracies. Explain the Benefits and Downsides of using Referendums in the UK? This gives the final verdict a greater mandate than that received as the result of a General Election. To confirm a transfer of powers Referendums will often be held to confirm a transfer of powers. A REFERENDUM is where the electorate vote on a specific question, or questions. 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. Get Revising is one of the trading names of The Student Room Group Ltd. Register Number: 04666380 (England and Wales), VAT No. The Tyranny of the Majority refers to a situation in which the winning side can claim all of the authority. One is that it weakens representative democracy by undermining the role and importance of elected representatives. However, although referendums are important for democracy, referendums could be seen to be too complicated for the public to understand. 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. Representative Democracy (also called indirect democracy) - is where citizens choose others to represent them, making important decisions on their behalf. Referendums can undermine representative democracy. Additionally, referendums can be used to educate the public and raise citizens awareness of political issues. What are the different types of referendums? Another argument for direct democracy being used more widely in the UK is that it prevents the government and MPs making extremely unpopular decisions . This led to the EEC Referendum in 1975 in which 67.2% of voters chose to remain in the EEC. Answer (1 of 30): Good question, and one that throws a lot of confusion in the air. (15 Jun 2015), Direct Democratic Elections in Lebanon - How to Get There Referendums are a direct vote by citizens on a political issue. Brexit became incredibly emotionalised and was not a referendum in which facts seemed to mean for very much. To honour a political agreement Sometimes holding a referendum may be agreed by political parties as part of another wider agreement being reached. This makes the wording of the question essential. Referendum A general vote by the population on a single issue. Therefore, for an official referendum to be held, the Westminster Parliament have to agree to it. 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. European Communities Act (1972) -The Act of Parliament that saw Britain join the EEC in 1973. Devolved Power A matter devolved for decision-making by a regional assembly. However, there are also many disadvantages to having referendums . . and then Add to Home Screen. Supporters of the use of referendums argue that, in the context of increasing voter apathy and disenchantment with traditional forms of democracy, direct democracy can help to re-engage voters with politics and democracy. 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. Such announcement made by British Prime Minister gave rise to multiple speculations regarding the probable effect of such referendum on UK and the world economy. This is unlike an unwritten constitution because a written constitution is contained in one single document. Seats where one party regularly scores more than 50 per cent of the vote (210 seats . 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. Disadvantages of FPTP Minority of the vote : In most constituencies more people (in total) vote against the winning candidate than for them. Also, the government determine when to hold a referendum and could be done to suit their own needs. It was a protest against . 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. There is therefore a danger of neverendums. Further to this point, referendums are sometimes seen as a means available to elected representatives to avoid having to take an unpopular position on a controversial issue. Arguably, this makes the UK more democratic as the general public have a direct say on the decisions that the government makes and although they are not lawfully binding, they successfully require the federal government and parliament to adhere to the publics outcome. Ill-informed decisions - the general public are less informed than elected politicians, and have no political experience. At elections, voters elected representatives to take difficult decisions on their behalf. prevent government from making unpopular decisions. The referendum was a rare example of direct, or participatory, democracy in the UK. The increasing use of referendums in the UK has created a convention that they should be used for major constitutional change or a change to the way in which the UK is governed. 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. 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. First, June saw an unexpected British vote to leave the European Union (EU). 1. Brexit was . The referendum, as an instrument of political decision-making, has been the source of much consternation in 2016. Referendums have to reduce complex issues to simple questions. Indeed, thats how I put it to my fellow European leaders: this is my strategy for keeping Britain in Europe. Under what process are referendums carried out? (26 Jun 2012), Experiences of PR open list system? I failedbut it all flowed from an attempt to do the right thing. Through the system of recall, they will be under the control of the people. The UK's decision to leave the EU has left everyone wondering how it will affect people associated with business. It is important to note that David Cameron would say that he held the EU Referendum in order to settle a long-standing constitutional issue. (27 May 2015), Experiences with reserved seats or constituencies for women in parliamentary elections 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. The advantages and disadvantages of different electrical energy sources. Appointing the official campaign groups for each side of the debate. 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. This makes them especially vulnerable to producing decisions based on false information and/or unrealistic beliefs about what alternatives are possible - often stoked by opportunistic actors within the political system. Advantages. 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. The Scottish referendum on independence had a very high turnout and high levels of popular engagement in the debates. 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. We are driving innovation with industry and manufacturing partners to transform industries and deliver growth to our economies, thereby helping to improve peoples livelihoods. Unlike General Elections, referendums allow political parties and voters to focus entirely on a single issue. In addition, they also had a say on whether . Arguments for private schools. These include: Before the 2016 EU Referendum the question David Cameron preferred was should the UK remain a member of the EU?. 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. This creates an automatic bias. Despite the result, the SNP has become even stronger electorally, culminating in the winning of 56 seats in the __2015 __election. To install StudyMoose App tap The second downside is that referendum campaigns themselves can be savagely divisive, especially when the prospect of a narrow victory tempts campaigners to use every argument at their disposal. They also claim that, since in many countries turnout at referendums is lower than at national elections, the argument that referendums increase the legitimacy of political decisions does not stand up. Referendums do not have a long history in the UK. The central governent is at Westmi. 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. Representative Democracy Democracy in which power over decision making is given to elected representatives. Such episodes served to highlight both the seductive attraction and grave perils of referendums for those who decide to hold them. . 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. Electoral Assistance Division (EAD). It provides a level of political support for difficult decisions. (20 Sep 2011), Manually counting ballots in Block Vote systems This is because electors lack the expertise to vote on complicated issues like Brexit. To confirm a decision taken by a previous Government Sometimes a party will promise a referendum as a position of opposition to the current government. Copyright Get Revising 2023 all rights reserved. In his autobiography he said: I made the pledge (of holding a referendum) because I genuinely believed it was the right thing for Britain. Referendums do not have a long history in the UK. List of the Cons of Brexit. The Ways in Which Parliament Interacts with the Executive. Advantages and disadvantages of the referendum instrument. They are currently taking the UK Government to the Supreme Court over the refusal of Westminster to countenance a second independence referendum. It prevents the government to do the right thing raise citizens awareness political. Decision to leave the EU Supreme advantages and disadvantages of referendums uk over the refusal of Westminster to countenance a second referendum. Has been the source of much consternation in 2016 the 2016 EU in! 50 per cent of the government and MPs making extremely unpopular decisions throws a lot of confusion the! 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