Past Present Future Fixing Democracy: What’s Wrong with Referendums?
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Oct 5, 2025 Alan Renwick, a Professor at UCL's Constitution Unit and an expert on referendums, dives into the complexities of direct democracy. He explores when referendums can effectively engage citizens and correct over-mediation. The discussion addresses the dangers of manipulation, particularly evident in the Brexit referendum. Renwick advocates for citizens' assemblies to handle sensitive issues and stresses the importance of reforms to ensure impartial information. Throughout, he also examines international examples and the risks posed to minority rights in referendum contexts.
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When Sovereignty Demands A Referendum
- Constitutional questions often justify referendums because they involve popular sovereignty and big institutional change.
- Renwick says issues like EU membership or independence should normally go to referendum.
Use Citizens' Assemblies Before Referendums
- Use citizens' assemblies to deliberate sensitive moral or constitutional issues before any referendum.
- Renwick recommends assemblies can produce recommendations that guide referendums or constrain parliament.
Iceland's Elected Constituent Assembly
- Iceland elected a constituent assembly after its 2011 financial collapse and drafted a radical constitution.
- Parliament then rejected implementation despite referendums approving parts of it.