15 named cases with one-line significance and which argument each does the most work for. Then a match-the-example quiz.
The examples
2016 EU referendum - 52-48 Leave on 72% turnout - the largest direct-democracy vote in UK history. The case both FOR and AGAINST referendums turns on this one event. [Direct dem / Referendums]
2014 Scottish IndyRef - 55-45 No on 84.6% turnout - the highest UK referendum turnout ever. Direct democracy operating at full force. [Direct dem / Referendums]
2011 AV referendum - 67-33 No on 42% turnout. Direct democracy used to settle the electoral-reform question, decisively. [Direct dem / Referendums]
2024 GE turnout 60% - The lowest turnout since 2001 (down from 67% in 2019). Headline evidence in any participation-crisis argument. [Participation crisis]
1832 Great Reform Act - Removed many rotten boroughs and widened the franchise to middle-class male householders. Not democracy yet but the first big franchise extension. [Franchise]
1918 Representation of the People Act - Vote for men 21+; women 30+ with property. Universal male suffrage achieved. [Franchise]
1928 Equal Franchise Act - Equalised the franchise at 21 for both sexes. Universal adult suffrage at 21. [Franchise]
1969 voting age 18 - Lowered to 18 for the first time. The most recent UK-wide franchise change. [Franchise]
Scotland + Wales votes at 16 - Holyrood from 2016, Senedd from 2021. The live argument that votes at 16 already work in practice. [Reform / Votes at 16]
Climate Assembly UK 2020 - 108 randomly selected citizens deliberated for 60 hours on net zero and reported to Parliament. The strongest UK citizens' assembly example - a form of direct / deliberative democracy alongside referendums. [Direct dem / Citizens' assembly]
Scottish Citizens' Assembly 2020 - 100 citizens convened by the Scottish Government to consider Scotland's future. Reported Jan 2021 with 60 recommendations including a citizens' constitutional convention. [Direct dem / Citizens' assembly]
Irish Citizens' Assemblies 2016-18 - The international model. Recommended the 2018 abortion referendum (66% Yes to repeal the Eighth Amendment) and earlier shaped the 2015 marriage equality referendum (62% Yes). Showed how a deliberative process can build a settled majority for change. [Direct dem / Citizens' assembly / International comparator]
Recall of MPs Act 2015 - Used against Fiona Onasanya 2019 (removed); Margaret Ferrier 2023; Peter Bone 2023. A small but real direct-democracy element. [Direct dem / Reform]
38 Degrees petitions - Online platform with 2 million+ supporters. Mobilises rapid pressure-group action on specific bills. [E-democracy / PGs]
Australia compulsory voting - Around 87% turnout with a small fine for non-voters. The standard comparison case for compulsory voting in the UK debate. [Reform / Compulsory voting]
Brexit franchise debate 2016 - 16-17 year olds excluded from the 2016 EU vote despite having voted in the 2014 Scottish IndyRef. A live unfairness used to argue for votes at 16. [Reform / Votes at 16]
Match the example to the argument
Each example does primary work for one argument and supporting work for others. Pick the strongest fit.
Example-to-argument matcher
Five questions.
Question 1 of 0
Score: 0
Loading...
Sentence stems next - the one-line argument that drives a paragraph.