Referendums Should Be Used More Widely In The UK
Referendums should be used more widely in the UK, Discuss.
A referendum is a general vote by the electorate on a single political question, which has been referred to them for a direct decision. In the UK since 1975 there have been seven major referendums. The last being the Scottish independence that was only a few weeks ago on the 18th September. The result was a ‘NO’ to independence winning by 55% to 45%, with a turnout of 84.6%. To see if referendums should be used more widely in the UK the ‘Pros and Cons’, turnout rate and past successes will all be analysed.
A referendum is supposed to be enhancing democracy in the UK however they undermine our system of representative democracy, where candidates are elected to make decisions on behalf of their constituency. These candidates have a good understanding of politics and are elected to make decisions with the constituent’s best interests in heart. They are used, as most people in the UK do not have the political knowledge and understanding to make these important decisions. They are less likely to have access to key arguments and information than elected, full-time politicians. Furthermore in seeking a majority vote, referendums may undermine the rights of the minorities that are generally well protected by constitutions and judiciaries within representative democracies. They are detraction in a representative system of democracy and as such they surrender power of experts to the masses.
Referendums are likely to give additional power to pressure groups and other organisations that would seek to influence the outcome. Take the Scottish referendum held two weeks ago. The die hard Scott’s were hugely influencing the rest of the population to vote for independence by using anti-UK propaganda. However if they went independent then Scotland would of faced a gloomy downward spiral. The ‘Yes’ campaigners were voting for an independent Scotland, which was uncertain which currency it was going to use, which had no
A referendum is a general vote by the electorate on a single political question, which has been referred to them for a direct decision. In the UK since 1975 there have been seven major referendums. The last being the Scottish independence that was only a few weeks ago on the 18th September. The result was a ‘NO’ to independence winning by 55% to 45%, with a turnout of 84.6%. To see if referendums should be used more widely in the UK the ‘Pros and Cons’, turnout rate and past successes will all be analysed.
A referendum is supposed to be enhancing democracy in the UK however they undermine our system of representative democracy, where candidates are elected to make decisions on behalf of their constituency. These candidates have a good understanding of politics and are elected to make decisions with the constituent’s best interests in heart. They are used, as most people in the UK do not have the political knowledge and understanding to make these important decisions. They are less likely to have access to key arguments and information than elected, full-time politicians. Furthermore in seeking a majority vote, referendums may undermine the rights of the minorities that are generally well protected by constitutions and judiciaries within representative democracies. They are detraction in a representative system of democracy and as such they surrender power of experts to the masses.
Referendums are likely to give additional power to pressure groups and other organisations that would seek to influence the outcome. Take the Scottish referendum held two weeks ago. The die hard Scott’s were hugely influencing the rest of the population to vote for independence by using anti-UK propaganda. However if they went independent then Scotland would of faced a gloomy downward spiral. The ‘Yes’ campaigners were voting for an independent Scotland, which was uncertain which currency it was going to use, which had no