Referendums –popular vote held on specific topics is a crucial aspect of United Kingdom (UK) politics. But they’re often accompanied by uncertainty and discord. In mid-September 2021, Scottish Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon called for the UK government to work with the organization of the Scottish independence referendum before 2023. A referendum was held on the same topic in 2014. At the time, the then UK Premier David Cameron had agreed to the vote being held and had stated that his UK government would respect the outcome if Scotland decided to be part of the UK. The referendum, however, produced the result in favor of remaining a part of the UK approximately 55 percent to 45percent.
The supporters of a second independence referendum argue that the issue was brought back due to the UK departure from the European Union (EU) in January 2020. This decision of leaving the EU — itself was triggered by the referendum held in 2016 — was resisted by most people in Scotland (62 percent to 38 percent); however, the UK, in general, backed leaving by around 52 percent to 48 percent. The supporters of Scottish independence can claim that the conditions of their presence in the UK have changed significantly after the 2014 referendum, which resulted in Scotland being pushed out of the EU in defiance of its wishes. When they favor a referendum for independence, they could add that those who prefer the independence referendum are in an overwhelming majority in the Scottish Parliament. Sturgeon’s party The Scottish National Party (SNP) and Scottish Green Party (who have reached a consensus on this issue) together have an amount of 71 members, out of more than 129 (respectively between 64 and 7) in the Scottish Parliament.
There is a strong belief that the Conservative UK government is opposed to Scottish independence. The most prominent members of the Government have said that a second referendum on the issue shortly following the first referendum in 2014 isn’t legitimate. However, even though there is some in favor of a referendum in the Scottish Parliament, it’s unclear whether the institution has the legal authority to conduct the vote at its discretion without approval at the UK level. This is why the Scottish Government has requested assistance from government officials from the UK government. If there is no agreement reached, an alternative for the Scottish Government is to pursue a referendum regardless of whether any support backs it. However, this is legally controversial and might result in a court proceeding.
This conflict is the conflict between Scottish as well as UK governments illustrates two things. The first is the importance of referendums for UK political life. They’re used to make some of the most significant decisions, including whether an area should remain part of, or even leave the UK and which of the UK should continue to take part within European integration or leave it; whether to set up devolved systems within parts of the UK as well as what type of voting system to use during UK general elections. Even when they’re not being held, the possibility that they could be held can impact the outcomes of political debates.
People who were against referendums thought that as instruments of a direct democratic process, they were not compatible with the traditional UK democratic system and were incompatible with the system. However, they are not. The UK is currently discussing the possibility of using referendums since the end of the nineteenth century, when there was a growing interest in their use across the world, particularly in Switzerland. The actual holding of local referendums, for instance, on the establishment of libraries or whether public places should be opened on Sundays, have an equally long history. Following a series of discussions, the first referendums occurred at the local levels in 1973. An election followed this within Northern Ireland on whether the territory should remain part of the UK or join it as a part of the Republic of Ireland. Twelve more votes on key questions have taken place in the years since, which was held in 2016 over EU membership. The possibility of holding further specifically regarding the future status in Northern Ireland and–as we have observed–Scotland in the UK is still on the agenda of political debate.
This is the second reason to make about referendums. 2000 in 2000, The Political Parties, Elections, and Referendums Act created a legal framework in which these votes could be held to recognize their place in UK political life. However, it was not without controversy. Whatever important the referendum may have become, questions remain about the exact nature. A consensus is not in place on issues like the very concerns that make it suitable to hold referendums and how they are activated, the status of their outcomes, and when the next referendum will be scheduled regarding the same issue. A quick resolution of these issues is unlikely. So, we will continue to expect referendums to be used to respond to controversial topics but also to be the source of debate in and of themselves.