1.  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

2. Why have referendums become increasingly popular? TBAT give at least 3 examples of how referendums are used outside the UK, explain why in the UK they are less common & reasons why they have been used in recent years To assess their value as a form of direct democracy  LOs

3.  Your task Read Watts, p.64-5 and take notes on the following: Read Watts, p.64-5 and take notes on the following: Early usage of referendums Early usage of referendums Referendums within the EU Referendums within the EU UK attitudes towards referendums UK attitudes towards referendums  Extension: Read the Politics Review article (Sept 2010) and summarise key points for / against referendums

4. Early usage Plebiscites (referendums) popular method for demonstrating support for Fascist regimes – instruments of ‘demagogues and dictators’ Plebiscites (referendums) popular method for demonstrating support for Fascist regimes – instruments of ‘demagogues and dictators’ Associated with authoritarian democratic regimes, e.g. De Gaulle’s 5 th Republic Associated with authoritarian democratic regimes, e.g. De Gaulle’s 5 th Republic

5. Referendums within the EU Sensitive or complex ethical issues, e.g. abortion, assisted suicide Sensitive or complex ethical issues, e.g. abortion, assisted suicide Parties use referendums to avoid damaging internal party splits Parties use referendums to avoid damaging internal party splits Referendum on key constitutional issues, e.g. new EU constitution Referendum on key constitutional issues, e.g. new EU constitution

6. UK attitudes Associated with European style politics Associated with European style politics Threaten to undermine parliamentary democracy Threaten to undermine parliamentary democracy Commitment to adhere to result Commitment to adhere to result

7.  Your task All should: Read Watts, p.65-66 and note the use of referendums in UK politics. All should: Read Watts, p.65-66 and note the use of referendums in UK politics. Most should: List the reasons why referendums have become more popular Most should: List the reasons why referendums have become more popular Some should: Evaluate how successful referendums have been in the UK Some should: Evaluate how successful referendums have been in the UK

8. Referendums in UK 1973, Northern Ireland – govt. did not agree to be bound by results 1973, Northern Ireland – govt. did not agree to be bound by results 1975, membership of EU –criticism over wording of question, debate favoured govt view 1975, membership of EU –criticism over wording of question, debate favoured govt view 1979, devolution Scotland & Wales – 40%+ support of electorate 1979, devolution Scotland & Wales – 40%+ support of electorate 1997, devolution for Scotland and Wales – Labour had a manifesto commitment to devolution, no threshold required, two different questions in Scot. & Wales 1997, devolution for Scotland and Wales – Labour had a manifesto commitment to devolution, no threshold required, two different questions in Scot. & Wales

9. UK referendums 1998, Northern Ireland – intended to gather support for Peace Process above the heads of troublesome political leaders in NI 1998, Northern Ireland – intended to gather support for Peace Process above the heads of troublesome political leaders in NI 1998, London Mayor – positive result, low turnout (45%) 1998, London Mayor – positive result, low turnout (45%) 2004, regional assembly, NE – decisive ‘No’ (78%) 2004, regional assembly, NE – decisive ‘No’ (78%) Single currency / EU constitution – promised referendums Single currency / EU constitution – promised referendums

10. Reasons for growth in popularity Official recognition, e.g. Electoral Commission (2000) responsible for regulating their conduct Official recognition, e.g. Electoral Commission (2000) responsible for regulating their conduct Need for direct democracy Need for direct democracy Political participation between general elections Political participation between general elections Offer judgements on specific policies Offer judgements on specific policies Avoid party divisions Avoid party divisions Required for constitutional reforms, e.g. devolution Required for constitutional reforms, e.g. devolution Popular with New Labour Popular with New Labour

11. 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.

12. Referendums improve the quality of the relationship between government and people’. To what extent do you agree?

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

14.  Essay It’s time to do your second AS Politics practice paper. Complete Q2 (parts a-c). It’s time to do your second AS Politics practice paper. Complete Q2 (parts a-c). Tip! Divide a piece of paper into 4 parts and note down the pros and cons of referendums in helping to resolve constitutional and social issues Tip! Divide a piece of paper into 4 parts and note down the pros and cons of referendums in helping to resolve constitutional and social issues Make links to the main pros and cons in your scales chart Make links to the main pros and cons in your scales chart Use current examples where possible to support your ideas Use current examples where possible to support your ideas

15.  Extension task Hold mini debates on these two topics: Hold mini debates on these two topics: Britain should join the eurozone Britain should join the eurozone Britain should leave the European Union Britain should leave the European Union

16. Plenary Plenary Where did direct democracy begin? Where did direct democracy begin? Name 2 key characteristics of direct and indirect democracy Name 2 key characteristics of direct and indirect democracy What are the two models of parliamentary representation? What are the two models of parliamentary representation? Give 3 examples of referendums held in the UK? Give 3 examples of referendums held in the UK? Give 3 advantages & 3 disadvantages of referenda Give 3 advantages & 3 disadvantages of referenda