Referendums

A vote on a single specific issue put to the public by the government of the day. A form of direct democracy.

A vote on a single specific issue put to the public, but set by citizens if they gain enough signatures to trigger the ballot. Not used in all countries, they are popular in some US States (e.g. California) and Switzerland.

A special election called by voters to remove an elected official before his/her term expires. Arnold Schwarzenegger became governor of California in a recall election.

A practical peace agreement reached by the major parties in Northern Ireland with the British and Irish government, on Good Friday 1998. Allowed Power Sharing to take place in a devolved assembly in Stormont.

A successful 'Yes' campaign, backed by the Labour government. However the legitimacy has been questioned because of the low turnout and narrow margin of victory meaning on 1 in 4 Welsh voters backed the proposals. Also held a week after Scotland - influence the decision?

A slim majority for the 'Yes' campaign, though the proposal for a Scottish Parliament still failed due to the insertion of a 40% 'threshold'.

A decisive 'Yes' vote (72%) and a high turnout (81%) means the UK and N.I. government could claim this result added legitimacy to the peace and devolution process.

First ever nationwide UK referendum, and still only one of two. Labour government was hugely split on membership of EEC and decided to ask the public then back the decision. Members of cabinet joined opposition camps, but the 'Yes' campaign won with a decisive 67% of the vote. Spending on the 'Yes' campagned was 5 times higher than the 'No'.

Nearly all Catholic voters boycotted this referendum as they knew there was no chance of victory as they are the minority in Northern Ireland. This led to a 99% 'Yes' vote, though it could hardly be described as legitimate.

A system of government in which political decisions are made by the people directly, rather than by their elected representatives; probably attained most easily in small political communities. Referendums are a form of direct democracy.

A system of government in which citizens elect representatives, or leaders, to make decisions about the laws for all the people.

A compromise option to appease the Liberal Democrats, who really wanted a form of proportional representation. The turnout was fairly poor (42%), but the result was fairly comprehensive with a 68% no vote.

When a referendum is held the government sets the rules. These include: * thresholds * timing * whether to have a referendum at all They also used to decide the wording in the UK, however this has been done by an independent panel since the 1990s.

A minimimum number of votes required out of the total electorate in order for the referendum to be successful. In 1979 40% of the total electorate needed to vote for Scottish and Welsh devolution for it to be successful. So although the 'Yes' vote won in Scotland, the voters who did not turnout denied the 'Yes' camp ultimate victory.