AO1: Referendums have not fully settled many issues since 1997 with results still being contested after the outcome – a good example is the EU referendum in 2016 and the Scottish independence referendum in 2014. AO2: Many issues remain contested political topics even after the outcome of a referendum. For instance, the referendum in 2016 over EU membership still divides public opinion given the vote was so close. AO3: We could be led to form a view that for a referendum to have real and lasting legitimacy it must have more than just a simple plurality of votes. AO1: Referendums have set in change major constitutional change which has undermined the union. AO2: The benefits claimed for devolution are minimal given the cost it has created and the political damage to the unitary and union state, it has fuelled the case for Scottish independence and created uncertainty in Northern Ireland. AO3: It becomes possible to conclude that the consequence of referenda has been negative. AO1: Not all referendums had widespread support, for example the referendum which set up Welsh devolution in 1997. AO2: In 1997 the Welsh voted for devolution by a margin of less than 1%, based on the turnout of just over 50% this in fact meant that devolution in Wales had the support of no more than 25% of people and a threshold should be set of turnout and a wide margin to adopt any change. AO3: It is easy to make a judgement that some decisions in referendums are not the true will of the majority. AO1: Many referendums have little to do with the choice of the public but are really means to satisfy sections of political parties. AO2: Referendums may be paraded as an experience of direct democracy but introduction the referendum on AV was a ploy to satisfy the Liberal Democrats by the Conservatives. In the same way David Cameron never wanted a referendum on the EU but did so to placate a section of his party. AO3: We arrive at a verdict that greater democracy or participation is rarely the reason for calling referenda.

AO1: Referendums allowed the devolved regions to gain political influence and revive civic pride. AO2: The referendums which introduced devolution have created institutions which are accepted and valued in all regions, and they have worked well. AO3: We can conclude that it would now be impossible to remove them without the consent of the people as their impact has been so strong. AO1: The referendum in Northern Ireland over the Good Friday Agreement was a pivotal landmark in the peace after the 'troubles'. AO2: Northern Ireland is a vastly more secure and prosperous region than before the referendum in 1998, it has allowed power sharing across the political divide. AO3: We can conclude that without a referendum which had an approval of over 80% of voters such a change would not have been possible. AO1: Referendums allowed the public a say on matters which divided parties such as the EU. AO2: At times there are some issues where parties cannot agree amongst themselves, and a referendum is a huge advantage to end this gridlock The Conservative party was in this stalemate over EU membership. AO3: We can conclude that a public referendum is sometimes the only option to bring clarity. AO1: Referendums have engaged, educated and motivated the public into political action. AO2: Referendums have produced turnouts greater than recent General Elections such as the two most recent ones in September 2014 and June 2016, people engaged and participated on the issues. AO3: We can conclude that referendums produce more legitimate results than do elections.