What Are The Arguments Against Holding Referendums?

Their use, it is argued, undermines the sovereignty of parliament. If the government alone decides whether or not to hold referendums, it is likely that they will be a conservative weapon. Government's will therefore only hold them for pragmatic reasons. The phrasing of questions are very important. If the government chooses the wording, they might well be able to determine the outcome it desires. Voters may lack sufficient information to give a considered judgement. The need to be provided with information, but the question of who provides these details and how it is provided is a thorny issue. The Neill Report of October 1998 suggested that governments should remain neutral when referendums were held.

Also, it is possible that an issue may be too complex to allow and "yes" or "no" vote to answer a simple question. In terms of public apathy, a low turnout may mean that the result of a referendum lacks credibility.