In the not too-distant, we are going to be offered a referendum to decide which voting system we prefer in the UK and Northern Ireland. This is the equivalent of being offered a trial-by-combat to decide who should be awarded a peace prize. Referendums have very little by way of respectability in terms of making voting fair.

One side effect of a coalition government full of reforming zeal is lots of opportunities for the good people of Britain to troop down to their local polling station and make the appropriate mark on a ballot paper. Here are the elections and referendums that look to me to coming our way in the next few

On the 10th of October the House of Lords killed off the prospect of voters getting the power to initiate referendums on local issues. Up until then the Localism Bill had contained a modest proposal to give local people in England the power to call non-binding referendums on local issues if 5% of their fellow

Scotland will have to vote in favour of independence in two referendums to legally separate from the United Kingdom, the Scottish Secretary has said.

People in Bristol are to be asked to take part in local referendums on whether individual pieces of graffiti should be removed after overwhelming support for a campaign to keep a mural by the painter Banksy.

The next manifesto could offer the possibility of significant changes to the governance of Britain through promising two referendums, alongside accounting for handling of the economic crisis and a 'steady as she goes' policy platform based on the NPF outcomes. Should majorities subsequently vote in referendums for a PR based system for electing the Westminster Parliament and for joining ...

Where should a Conservative localist stand on devolution? In favour of the maximum decentralisation of powers, obviously. Ah, but what if people on the spot don't want such powers? Scottish and Welsh legislatures should devolve power downwards It is a dilemma that Tory localists currently face over plans for referendums in Wales and Scotland (on legislative autonomy in the former, full i...

There have now been two suggested referendums to be combined with the next general election. In both case ( electoral reform and Scottish independence ) its not the referendum question that's the motivation, but a desire to hold up the Labour vote. It shows you the lengths that Labour will toy with to hang onto power. The answer should be that no referendum is necessary with parties seeking e...

Question 1: Are you in favour of referendums? Please answer either Yes or No. Question 2: Are you in favour of referendums if you have good reason to expect the majority vote will not be the one you would wish? Again, please answer Yes or No. Question 3: Do you think there are some questions that are just too complex to answer with a simple Yes or No? Please answer ... but you get the idea. I've j...

Yesterday we had by-election to cost 200k ( nicely timed to depress turnout and give David Davis problems), but no corresponding analysis of Hazel Blears plans for multiple local referendums ( which would cost far more ). More do they explore the cost of "the people's referendums.Today it what makes an English Eccentric - with David Davis presented as a prime example.The DT is being to pick up the...