Is a referendum a democratic right?

Question

And who decides there should be a referendum? If enough people wanted a referendum then surely by definition in a democracy this wish should be granted?
Hmmm ...

This is a UK question, forgot to mention that, sorry.

Answer 1

This is the way it is for the Swiss, get enough names and you can have a referendum.

Owing to the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty a binding referendum cannot be held in the UK.

As for rights I'm not sure we have any rights, by right. Who gives us them? You only get what you push for.

Answer 2

In Switzerland it is a constant right, and there are referendums all the time, more than once a year. In California and some other US states, referendums are fairly easy to get on the ballot.

In the UK they're not. Usually it's a political decision, or political-diplomatic as with the Good Friday (Belfast) Agreement. And the government doesn't usually arrange a referendum if it thinks it will lose (or more exactly, not get what it wants): as in the case of the European Union Constittution, or the euro, etc.

Answer 3

In the UK since 1997, there have been more national, regional and local referendum's held than in the previous 50 years.

A referendum is seen as an opportunity to engage individuals in decision about governance which will ultimately effect their lives. They are democratic, because the outcome is adhered to.

I'm not sure what your question relates to, but if you've got an elected Mayor in your city and the people decide he or she is not up to the job or the office is not benefitting the city, then they can collect a petition of signatures of "registered voters" within the local authoirty area.

They need to get 5% of the electorate to sign the petition within 12 months of the first signature. Once this number is acheived, the petition needs to be presented to the Returning Officer, who once the petition is verified will call a referendum.

Answer 4

In the US, I believe the right to a referendum is determined by state constitutions, but some states may provide for it by statute. Referendum and recall arouse out of the populist movement. You should look this up, however.

Answer 5

a referendum is and always has has been something which we can use to let our views be known. The only problem is that they are seldom used with questions that we wish to be asked. The closest we get is the general election and even then nobody tells us exactly like it is or will be when they get in.

Answer 6

A referendum is in may ways an opt out by the Government and an opportunity for them to abdicate their duty of decision-making on our behalf. We elect them to govern and they have a mandate to do so.

The only problem is that they do not stand on a single issue: thus, we might have a candidate whose tax, law and order and health policies are what we want, whereas we disagree on Europe. Their opponent might have just the right policy on Europe, whereas their tax, health and law and order policies are not to our liking.

(Unfortunately, in the UK we just look at their party and vote for that, quite often because either our Dad voted (for instance) Labour, or because we always vote Labour. I suspect that very few vote for their local MP on his or her policies.)

Our Parliament thus ends up with a load of compromise MPs, and when an issue of fundamental importance comes along it is essential that the country as a whole is asked. Europe has been one such issue in the past.

However, if every issue was made the subject of a referendum it would be impossible for the Government to go a bout its business. We can't have our cake and eat it.

Answer 7

referendums are answers to the cries of the people, but the people know that politicians are deaf to their cries so they have gon silent. here are some referendums i would like to have seen.
military referendum vote on wether to accept gays didnt happen it was forced on them, police same.
vote on europe, 68% against it yet no vote.
war votes in future, NO time right now but i could go on as i am sure you could,.Dont ever think for one minut that we live in a democracy, We dont

Answer 8

My view is that any decision should be taken should be based on referendum.
Switzerland is highly successful in managing the referendum.

Answer 9

Yes, it should be. Particularly on something that will affect every individual (Like entry in Europe and joining the single currency) but I doubt we'll get to have one on that score now.

Answer 10

Only if it benefits Tony Bliar and the rest of the New McLabour shysters.