referendum

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Procedure whereby a decision on proposed legislation is referred to the electorate for settlement by direct vote of all the people. It is most frequently employed in Switzerland, the first country to use it, but has become increasingly widespread.

Critics argue that referendums undermine parliamentary authority, but they do allow the elector to take part directly in decision-making. They may have a value in removing autocratic regimes, for example the referendums in Chile in 1978, 1980, and 1988, the last of which was followed by the fall of Pinochet. Similar devices are the recall, whereby voters are given the opportunity of demanding the dismissal from office of officials, and the initiative.

In 1975 Britain used a national referendum to decide whether or not to remain a member of the European Economic Community. In 1996 the anti-Maastricht treaty, billionaire financier, Sir James Goldsmith, set up the Referendum Party to campaign for a referendum on the European Union; it attracted only 3% of the vote in the May 1997 UK general election, despite spending £20 million on its campaign. In September 1997 referendums were held in Scotland and Wales, in which voters approved the government's devolution plans, and, in May 1998, in a referendum held at the same time in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland the electorate approved the Good Friday agreement making way to peace on the island.

In 1992 several European countries (Ireland, Denmark, France, Spain) held referendums on whether to ratify the Maastricht Treaty on closer European economic and political union. A referendum was held in Canada in 1995 on the issue of independence for the province of Québec.

The four-feathered wing, the Sayap, symbolizes the protection of justice, tranquillity, prosperity, and peace. The scroll reads ‘Brunei City of Peace’. The flag and umbrella are based on ancient royal regalia while the mast represents the state. Effective date: c. 1984. >>