Legal basis for direct democracy at the national level
United Kingdom
POLITICALPARTIES, ELECTIONS AND REFERENDUMS ACT
(Adopted in 2000)
http://???www.???legislation.???gov.???uk/???ukpga/???2000/???41/???contents
PartI – The Electoral Commission
1Establishment of the Electoral Commission.
(1) There shall bea body corporate to be known as the Electoral Commission or, in Welsh, Comisiwn Etholiadol (in this Act referred to as “theCommission”).
5Reports on elections and referendums
(1) The Commissionshall, after –
in such manner as they may determine.
(7) In this section“the referendum question” means the question or questions to be included in theballot paper at the referendum.
ChapterIV. Conduct of Referendums
128Chief Counting Officers, and counting officers, for referendums.
(1) This sectionhas effect in relation to any referendum to which this Part applies.
129Orders regulating conduct of referendums.
(1) The Secretaryof State may by order make such provision as he considers expedient for or inconnection with regulating the conduct of referendums to which this Partapplies.
“Chapter 7: Summary of Recommendations
Referendums – Arguments for and against
209. The balance of the evidence that we have heard leads us to the conclusion that there are significant drawbacks to the use of referendums. In particular, we regret the ad hoc manner in which referendums have been used, often as a tactical device, by the government of the day. Referendums may become a part of the UK's political and constitutional practice. Where possible, cross-party agreement should be sought as to the circumstances in which it is appropriate for referendums to be used. (Para 62)”
Constitution Committee – Twelfth Report, Referendums in the United Kingdom.
House of Lords, 2010.
European Union Act of 2011
The UnitedKingdom is unusual in that it does not have a written Constitution.
