Investigating any wrongdoing relating to the referendum. 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 . Explain the Benefits and Downsides of using Referendums in the UK? Renewable Energy. 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 led to the EEC Referendum in 1975 in which 67.2% of voters chose to remain in the EEC. 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. 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. Whilst this bestows democratic legitimacy, voters are often not well-equipped to make these decisions. Referendums do not have a long history in the UK. (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 can be a check on "elective dictatorships" during a government's 5 years span. 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. There have been a number of referendums in the UK: For what reasons might referendums be held? On the other hand, PPC lets you buy prominent positioning on search pages, like Google, potentially bringing much larger audiences to your website. 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. Rousseau and Mills argue that referendums represent the Tyranny of the majority. Since __1973 __there have been eleven referendums held in the UK, the majority of them have been related to the issue of devolution. Subsequent events showed that there was a wide dispersity of views on how Britain should leave the EU and what leaving even meant. AV would end safe seats for life. Those votes cast in marginal seats have much weight than those in safe seats where a vote is very unlikely to make a difference. Devolution in Scotland and Wales was presented in 1998 as the bulk of the general public voted yes in regards to wanting more power. Setting rules for campaigning in the referendum including relating to spending. It undermined representative democracy. In 2007 the SNP won the Scottish Election and did so again in 2011. There are a number of potential strengths of holding referendums within the UK political system: It can be argued that referendums provide a check on the power of the government in the UK, something that is often referred to as the elective dictatorship. 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. Electoral Assistance Division (EAD). by In his autobiography he said: I made the pledge (of holding a referendum) because I genuinely believed it was the right thing for Britain. They are particularly good with Social Law reform, Ireland has used them to good effect here. What are the different types of referendums? Plebiscite A plebiscite is an advisory referendum. It was right to try to get a better deal for us in Europe. The scenario changed since 2013 when the British Prime Minister David Cameron put forward the plan of holding a referendum on continuation of their membership with European Union. So why is this and what might the advantages and disadvantages of referendums be? Soon after, the UK faced high inflation . 16 Year olds were also given the vote. In the case of the EU Referendum, significant amounts of legislation, both primary and secondary, has had to been passed since 2016. Students looking for free, top-notch essay and term paper samples on various topics. There has been a significant reduction in the cost of fibre optic cable installation in recent years, but it still involves a much higher tariff than copper cable. However, referendums give control over often extremely complex moral and political issues to voters. In total 406 constituencies voted Leave in the Brexit Referendum but only around 160 MPs had voted to leave. 5. 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. They are also good for dealing with areas wher. Referenda can unite a divided party. Those who see virtue in the idea of a more direct link between the popular will and the levers of power therefore admire them as an instrument of empowerment for the too-often neglected people. Strengthens government - governments decide when and on what issues referendums are called, they frame the question and they dominate the publicity campaign. Many prominent figures in British Politics had openly spoken out about the potential use of referendums in the UK: I could not consent to the introduction into our national life of a device so alien to all our traditions as the referendum which has only too often been the instrument of Nazism and fascism Clement Attlee, The late Lord Attlee was right when he said that the referendum was a device of dictators and demagogues Margaret Thatcher. This took place on both sides of the debate. 2) What are the main a) advantages and b) disadvantages for the UK of an uncodified constitution? If concessions need to be made to those who committed crimes during a conflict, or if a course will impose severe economic costs, or if a divisive point principle is at issue, endorsement by direct popular vote will likely aid political stability, and also bind not just the present government, but those that follow it. Get Revising is one of the trading names of The Student Room Group Ltd. Register Number: 04666380 (England and Wales), VAT No. Politicians spend time becoming expert about political issues. But what is AV and how would it . Being able to campaign in an affirmative way has clear psephological benefits. Political education - by widening debate on an issue, referendums create a better educated electorate, who have a stronger incentive to think and act politically. One advantage of Describe the Advantages and Disadvantages of Referendums Read More Although, other laws may be incorporated into it by reference in its provisions. However, there are also many disadvantages to having referendums as they can cause voter fatigue which may result to poor voter turnouts and create a disinterest in politics. Different people have different personal definitions. The first UK-wide referendum was held in __1975 __on the United Kingdom's continued membership of the European Community (European Union). (25 Marks) A referendum (sometimes referred to as a plebiscite). This dramatic policy would not have had legitimacy if it was only agreed by politicians and not by citizens in Northern Ireland. 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. 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. A really good example of this is the Alternative Vote Referendum in 2011. The European Union has spent much of their time bringing the country along, often reluctantly . Appointing the official campaign groups for each side of the debate. The reasons for leaving were numerous, including questionable immigration policies, concerns over Brussels micromanaging UK affairs, and doubts about whether remaining in the EU was in the best economic interests of the UK. This protects representatives in the future from some of the political comeback if the decision appears to be misguided. For example, Good Friday Agreement . 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. They therefore become dominated by populism. They are currently taking the UK Government to the Supreme Court over the refusal of Westminster to countenance a second independence referendum. 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. Currently, Scotland is in political union with three other countries, (formerly a country, a principality, and a province). , Should we have an EU referendum in 2015 , Brexiters don't like democracy or the law , We've built the EU for generations and I am not leaving! (It should be noted that this fact should be treated some caution, and this is a worthwhile read on the issue PolitiFact | Whats missing from media claims linking Google Trends to Brexit vote). A successful referendum is incumbent on the ability to deliver on either of its potential outcomes and the EU Referendum in 2016 did not fulfil this criterion. Advantages and disadvantages of the referendum instrument Several arguments are advanced in support of and in opposition to referendums. Depending on the precise rules adopted, referendums and initiatives On one hand, you have SEO's more organic approach, where you gradually cultivate an audience, strengthen trust, and build your brand awareness. . 52% of citizens voted to leave and 48% voted for the inverse. This therefore suggests that referendums allow the public to have more power, as there is only a general election every five years. and then Add to Home Screen. Disadvantages of Fibre Optic Cabling. Some of these include: To gain legitimacy for an important political or constitutional decision When controversial political or constitutional decisions need to be made it is useful for representatives to get the direct consent of the electorate. 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. 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