Explain three arguments against the use of referendums
Explain three arguments against the use of referendums (10)
A referendum is a general vote on a singular political question which requires a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ vote on the particular issue. The first argument against referendums consists of the idea that unless there is a high overall turnout, the results are dubious and do not represent the whole community or country. The 2011 Wales referendum on the issue of giving the Welsh Assembly primary legislative powers only gained a 35% turnout. The effect of this can lead to many situations; firstly, it shows the lack of support and therefore lack of power to the current governing party which in turn leads to doubts regarding the Prime Ministers authority and its government. Regarding the example above, Welsh Lib Dem leader Kirsty Williams said that the low turnout was somewhat of a ‘wake-up call for the current politicians.’ Secondly, the low turnout may not be due to the lack of care of the people; however, it could be due to lack of advertisement and campaigning. This could then lead to tensions in the country as a decision has been made questioningly ‘by the people’ when in fact they simply did not know the facts. Therefore, referendums should not be used. One of the main dangers of referendums is the tyranny of the majority. This issue essentially deals with the fact that referendums work in favour of the majority and leave the minority defenceless and their say is not taken into account. In 2008 Manchester released a referendum asking whether a congestion charge should be introduced, the vote was 78.8% no in a 53.2% overall turnout. In this occasion the ‘yes’ campaigners, primarily Labour, whose plans for improving local transport where left politically stranded and their hopes for improving the city environmentally and in the transport sector were abandoned. The ‘no’ campaign were strong to emphasis the price of the congestion charge and were therefore have thought to won the vote this way. Therefore, referendums are
A referendum is a general vote on a singular political question which requires a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ vote on the particular issue. The first argument against referendums consists of the idea that unless there is a high overall turnout, the results are dubious and do not represent the whole community or country. The 2011 Wales referendum on the issue of giving the Welsh Assembly primary legislative powers only gained a 35% turnout. The effect of this can lead to many situations; firstly, it shows the lack of support and therefore lack of power to the current governing party which in turn leads to doubts regarding the Prime Ministers authority and its government. Regarding the example above, Welsh Lib Dem leader Kirsty Williams said that the low turnout was somewhat of a ‘wake-up call for the current politicians.’ Secondly, the low turnout may not be due to the lack of care of the people; however, it could be due to lack of advertisement and campaigning. This could then lead to tensions in the country as a decision has been made questioningly ‘by the people’ when in fact they simply did not know the facts. Therefore, referendums should not be used. One of the main dangers of referendums is the tyranny of the majority. This issue essentially deals with the fact that referendums work in favour of the majority and leave the minority defenceless and their say is not taken into account. In 2008 Manchester released a referendum asking whether a congestion charge should be introduced, the vote was 78.8% no in a 53.2% overall turnout. In this occasion the ‘yes’ campaigners, primarily Labour, whose plans for improving local transport where left politically stranded and their hopes for improving the city environmentally and in the transport sector were abandoned. The ‘no’ campaign were strong to emphasis the price of the congestion charge and were therefore have thought to won the vote this way. Therefore, referendums are