Referendums as an Instrument of Constitutional Change in the UK
A referendum is a direct vote in which the electorate is asked to decide a specific question, most often used in the UK for fundamental constitutional issues rather than routine policy.
Before you start
Make sure you're comfortable with these topics first:
Method
- Learn a chronological list of the UK's major referendums with their approximate results, since precise, dated recall is directly rewarded.
- Learn that UK referendums are legally advisory, not binding, and be ready to explain why, using parliamentary sovereignty.
- Learn at least one specific criticism of a referendum campaign, such as disputed claims made during the 2016 EU referendum campaign, as usable evaluative evidence.
- For an evaluation of referendums as a method of constitutional change, plan three two-sided paragraphs weighing their legitimising benefits against a genuine limitation or risk.
- Give each paragraph a clear judgement before moving on; a paragraph that only lists referendums that have been held, with no evaluation of their value or risks, is capped in the middle band.
- Build a thesis-led introduction and a conclusion that weighs the three judgements to reach an overall, supported answer.
- Note the 1979 Scottish devolution referendum's 40% threshold requirement as a useful, specific example of how the rules governing a referendum can shape its outcome.
Worked example
'Referendums have become an essential part of the UK's constitution.' Evaluate this statement. Plan the essay: a thesis, three two-sided paragraphs and a conclusion.
- Underline the claim: 'essential' is strong - the essay must test whether major constitutional change could, and does, happen without one.
- Choose three comparisons: (1) legal necessity, (2) political practice since 1997, (3) risks of the referendum method.
- Paragraph 1: legally, referendums are advisory only, and Parliament could make constitutional change through an ordinary Act without one, as it did for the Constitutional Reform Act 2005, weighed against the counterpoint that every major, high-salience constitutional change since 1997 has in fact been put to a referendum, then a judgement.
- Paragraph 2: referendums have provided lasting legitimacy that has made major settlements politically very hard to reverse, most clearly the 1997 devolution results, weighed against the counterpoint that Parliament chose when to hold each referendum and could choose not to hold one for a future change, so their use reflects political convenience as much as necessity, then a judgement.
- Paragraph 3: referendum campaigns have faced real criticism, including over the accuracy of claims made during the 2016 EU referendum campaign, weighed against the counterpoint that this is a problem of how campaigns are conducted and regulated, not evidence that the referendum tool itself is unnecessary, then a judgement.
- Write a thesis and a conclusion that gives a clear, supported answer on how 'essential' referendums have really become.
Practice questions
Try each question, then tap to reveal the answer.
Q1What was the result of the 2016 UK referendum on EU membership?Show answer
Answer: 51.9% voted to leave the EU and 48.1% voted to remain, on a turnout of around 72%.
Q2What was the result of the 2014 Scottish independence referendum?Show answer
Answer: 55.3% voted No, against independence, and 44.7% voted Yes, for independence.
Q3Are UK referendums legally binding on Parliament?Show answer
Answer: No; because of parliamentary sovereignty, UK referendums are advisory, meaning Parliament is not legally required to act on the result, though in practice a clear result is very difficult to ignore politically.
Q4Name one referendum held in the UK on the electoral system used for general elections.Show answer
Answer: The 2011 referendum on introducing the Alternative Vote (AV), which was rejected.
Q5What agreement was confirmed by referendums held simultaneously in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in 1998?Show answer
Answer: The Good Friday Agreement, also called the Belfast Agreement.
Q6Give one criticism made of referendum campaigns in the UK.Show answer
Answer: That campaigns can make disputed or misleading claims, such as the widely challenged figure about the cost of EU membership used during the 2016 referendum campaign.
Q7What threshold was required for the 1979 Scottish devolution referendum to succeed, and did it meet it?Show answer
Answer: A requirement that at least 40% of the total electorate, not just those voting, vote Yes; although a narrow majority of those voting backed devolution, turnout meant this 40% threshold was not met, so devolution did not proceed at that time.
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a A Level Politics exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
Explain TWO arguments in favour of using referendums to decide major constitutional questions in the UK.
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'Referendums undermine, rather than strengthen, UK democracy.' Evaluate this statement.
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See real A Level Politics past-paper questions, with official mark schemes →
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