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Referendums (or '''referenda''') are only occasionally held by the government of the United Kingdom . Nine Referendum s have been held so far (excluding referenda held under the Local Government Act 1972 - see below), the first in 1973 ; only one of these covered the whole UK. There is at least one planned for the future. Although few referendums have been held at national or regional level, there have been numerous referendums at local level to determine whether there is support for an elected mayor. STATUS OF REFERENDUMS Referendums have traditionally been rare in the UK. Major referendums have always been on constitutionally related issues. Before Tony Blair 's Labour government came to power in 1997 , only four referendums had been held. There are two types of referendum that have been held in the UK, pre-legislative (held before proposed legislation is passed) and post-legislative (held after legislation) is passed. Referendums are not legally binding, so legally the government can ignore the results; for example even if the result of a pre-legislative referendum was a majority of ‘No' for a proposed law, Parliament could pass it anyway. Legally, Parliament at any point in future could reverse legislation approved by referendums because the concept of Parliamentary Sovereignty means no Parliament can prevent a future Parliament from amending/repealing legislation. However, it is unlikely many governments would attempt to reverse legislation approved by referendums as it would probably be controversial and potentially damaging to their popularity. Finally, under the 1972 Local Government Act, there is a little-known provision under which non-binding local referenda on any issue can be called by small groups of voters. Six local voters may call a meeting, and if ten voters or a third of the meeting (whichever is smaller) agree, the council must carry out a referendum in 14 - 25 days. The referendum is merely advisory, but if there is a substantial majority and the results well-publicised it may be influential. {Link without Title} PLANNED REFERENDUMS Since 1997, the Labour government has held five referendums on devolution, four of which received a yes majority. One concerning the Treaty Establishing A Constitution For Europe is almost certain not to happen given the French and Dutch rejections of the treaty. Another, on the Euro , depends on the government being willing to recommend it. The in 1998 suggesting an AV+ system for Westminster elections, the 2001 manifesto did not make such a promise, and it is unlikely such a referendum will be held in the foreseeable future. If the Government Of Wales Bill becomes law, there will be a referendum in Wales asking the people whether the National Assembly For Wales should be given greater law making powers. ORGANISATION Until 2000 , there was no body to regulate referendums. In 2000 , the government set out a framework for the running of future referendums when the Political Parties, Elections And Referendums Act 2000 or PPERA was passed, given the Electoral Commission responsibility for running referendums. LIST OF MAJOR REFERENDUMS
There are some potential referendums : Additionally, the Government Of Wales Bill currently going through Parliament would invoke another referendum in Wales on increasing the powers of the Welsh Assembly. Alex Salmond , the leader of the SNP has also stated that a referendum on Scottish Independence would be the price for his party joining a ruling coalition in the Scottish Parliament . LIST OF MINOR (LOCAL) REFERENDUMS Thirty local referendums have taken place in local authorities to establish whether there is support for Directly-elected Mayors . Eleven received a "Yes" majority and twenty a "No" majority. The highest turnout was 64% in Berwick-upon-Tweed and the lowest was 10% in Ealing . On average, the turnout was similar to that of local elections. The majority of these were held between June 2001 and May 2002 - a further five have been held since. ''"Yes" majority shown in green, "No" majority shown in red.'' ''Source: Electoral Commission; Ceredigion County Council '' Edinburgh Transport Referendum See Also: Edinburgh Road Tolls Referendum, 2005 The City Of Edinburgh Council held a postal-ballot referendum in February 2005 over whether voters supported the Council's proposed transport strategy. These plans included a Congestion Charge which would have required motorists to pay a fee to enter the city at certain times of the day. The result was announced on February 22 , 2005 and the people of Edinburgh had rejected the proposals. 74% voted against, 26% voted in favour and the turnout was 62%. SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS |
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