starter activity

In 2011, in the 5th ever referendum in UK

politics, the electorate voted against a reform to the voting system.

Read the article and jot down 5 key reasons why the vote went against AV. What

broader problems did the vote reveal about

referendums

Why have Why have referendums referendums

become become increasingly increasingly

popular?popular?TBAT give at least 3 examples of how TBAT give at least 3 examples of how referendums are used outside the UK, referendums are used outside the UK,

explain why in the UK they are less explain why in the UK they are less common & reasons why they have been common & reasons why they have been

used in recent yearsused in recent yearsTo assess their value as a form of direct To assess their value as a form of direct

democracydemocracy

LOs

Your taskYour task

Read Watts, p.64-5 and take notes Read Watts, p.64-5 and take notes on the following:on the following:

Early usage of referendumsEarly usage of referendums Referendums within the EUReferendums within the EU UK attitudes towards referendumsUK attitudes towards referendums

Extension: Read the Politics Review Extension: Read the Politics Review article (Sept 2010) and summarise article (Sept 2010) and summarise key points for / against referendumskey points for / against referendums

Early usageEarly usage

PlebiscitesPlebiscites (referendums) popular (referendums) popular method for demonstrating support method for demonstrating support for Fascist regimes – instruments of for Fascist regimes – instruments of ‘demagogues and dictators’‘demagogues and dictators’

Associated with authoritarian Associated with authoritarian democratic regimes, e.g. De Gaulle’s democratic regimes, e.g. De Gaulle’s 55thth Republic Republic

Referendums within the Referendums within the EUEU

Sensitive or complex ethical issues, Sensitive or complex ethical issues, e.g. abortion, assisted suicidee.g. abortion, assisted suicide

Parties use referendums to avoid Parties use referendums to avoid damaging internal party splitsdamaging internal party splits

Referendum on key constitutional Referendum on key constitutional issues, e.g. new EU constitutionissues, e.g. new EU constitution

UK attitudesUK attitudes

Associated with European style Associated with European style politicspolitics

Threaten to undermine Threaten to undermine parliamentary democracyparliamentary democracy

Commitment to adhere to resultCommitment to adhere to result

Your taskYour task

All should: Read Watts, p.65-66 and All should: Read Watts, p.65-66 and note the use of referendums in UK note the use of referendums in UK politics.politics.

Most should: List the reasons why Most should: List the reasons why referendums have become more referendums have become more popularpopular

Some should: Evaluate how Some should: Evaluate how successful referendums have been in successful referendums have been in the UKthe UK

Referendums in UKReferendums in UK

1973, Northern Ireland – govt. did not agree 1973, Northern Ireland – govt. did not agree to be bound by resultsto be bound by results

1975, membership of EU –criticism over 1975, membership of EU –criticism over wording of question, debate favoured govt wording of question, debate favoured govt viewview

1979, devolution Scotland & Wales – 40%+ 1979, devolution Scotland & Wales – 40%+ support of electoratesupport of electorate

1997, devolution for Scotland and Wales – 1997, devolution for Scotland and Wales – Labour had a manifesto commitment to Labour had a manifesto commitment to devolution, no threshold required, two devolution, no threshold required, two different questions in Scot. & Walesdifferent questions in Scot. & Wales

UK referendumsUK referendums

1998, Northern Ireland – intended to 1998, Northern Ireland – intended to gather support for Peace Process gather support for Peace Process above the heads of troublesome above the heads of troublesome political leaders in NIpolitical leaders in NI

1998, London Mayor – positive result, 1998, London Mayor – positive result, low turnout (45%)low turnout (45%)

2004, regional assembly, NE – 2004, regional assembly, NE – decisive ‘No’ (78%)decisive ‘No’ (78%)

Single currency / EU constitution – Single currency / EU constitution – promised referendumspromised referendums

Reasons for growth in Reasons for growth in popularitypopularity

Official recognition, e.g. Electoral Commission Official recognition, e.g. Electoral Commission (2000) responsible for regulating their conduct(2000) responsible for regulating their conduct

Need for direct democracyNeed for direct democracy Political participation between general Political participation between general

electionselections Offer judgements on specific policiesOffer judgements on specific policies Avoid party divisionsAvoid party divisions Required for constitutional reforms, e.g. Required for constitutional reforms, e.g.

devolutiondevolution Popular with New LabourPopular with New Labour

Questions, questions. Commentators argue that

referendums don’t always ask the right questions. Study the

referendum questions on the sheet and decide which is the fairest

question.

Referendums improve the quality of the relationship

between government and people’. To what

extent do you agree?

HomeworkHomework

Create a scales chart weighing up Create a scales chart weighing up the pros and cons of referendums, the pros and cons of referendums, using the information in Watts, p.67-using the information in Watts, p.67-9 and the links under Direct 9 and the links under Direct Democracy on Democracy on www.studyhistory.co.uk

EssayEssay

It’s time to do your second AS Politics It’s time to do your second AS Politics practice paper. Complete Q2 (parts a-c).practice paper. Complete Q2 (parts a-c).

Tip! Divide a piece of paper into 4 parts Tip! Divide a piece of paper into 4 parts and note down the pros and cons of and note down the pros and cons of referendums in helping to resolve referendums in helping to resolve constitutional and social issuesconstitutional and social issues

Make links to the main pros and cons in Make links to the main pros and cons in your scales chartyour scales chart

Use current examples where possible to Use current examples where possible to support your ideassupport your ideas

Extension taskExtension task

Hold mini debates on these two Hold mini debates on these two topics:topics:

Britain should join the eurozoneBritain should join the eurozone Britain should leave the European Britain should leave the European

UnionUnion

PlenaryPlenary

Where did direct democracy begin?Where did direct democracy begin? Name 2 key characteristics of direct Name 2 key characteristics of direct

and indirect democracyand indirect democracy What are the two models of What are the two models of

parliamentary representation?parliamentary representation? Give 3 examples of referendums held Give 3 examples of referendums held

in the UK?in the UK? Give 3 advantages & 3 Give 3 advantages & 3

disadvantages of referendadisadvantages of referenda