What Are The Details Of Referendums Held In The United Kingdom In The 1970s?

In Northern Ireland in 1973, voters were asked whether to stay in the UK or join the Republic of Ireland. The large majority voted for remaining in the UK. The referendum was boycotted by some nationalist parties, such as the SDLP and Sinn Fein. The size of the electorate on that occasion therefore became a contentious issue. The Republicans and Nationalists argued that the population of the whole of Ireland should be allowed to vote in a referendum rather than just the people of Northern Ireland. Because of this boycotting, voting figures became rather meaningless and government intentions were undermined.

In 1975, the British electorate as a whole was asked whether the UK should remain a member of the European Economic Community (EEC). The Labour Party, in power at the time, was divided on the issue. In the House of Commons, a free vote resulted in 396 in favour of staying in the EEC and 170 MPs voting against. A referendum was then held on the issue in which the large majority voted in favour of staying in the EEC.