To what extent would the wider use of referendums improve democracy in the UK?

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To what extent would the wider use of referendums improve democracy in the UK?

        Between 1973 and 2004, there have only been ten referendums.  Referendums are used by government to get a clear opinion from the public.  The public answer a question from the government with either yes or no.  This ‘yes or no’ system works well because it does not overload the public with information; it’s a simple yes or no.  Currently, referendums are used on issues such as whether we should stay in the EU.  

        A wider use of referendums would improve democracy in the UK because of the bigger chance that citizens are given to cast their vote on issues that will affect them and their country.  The use of referendums has been limited to issues regarding the break-up of the UK, independence of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and regional issues.  If referendums were more widely used on issues regarding education, health and transport, you would be giving voters a greater opportunity for involvement, and give the government a much better and more accurate idea on what the public think.  If the public were allowed to vote on issues such as the construction of a multi-billion pound high-speed rail link, this would immediately be a form of direct democracy, where the electorate can vote on an issue that will affect them.

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        Professor Stephen Tierney, professor of constitutional theory, University of Edinburgh, asserted that referendums could be seen as ‘pure democracy’.  He adds that it is unmediated by representatives and is a reminder that democratic authority finds its legitimacy in the consent of the people.  Referendums are a way for the government to get consent of the people, or not to, without parliament intervening, making it as direct as possible.  Although the UK is ‘democratic’, one could argue that as time has passed, we have less time to take decisions ourselves and leave government to make the majority of decisions for ...

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