Referenda

There are a number of different referenda that can take place and these are:

• UK wide, national and regional referenda
• Mayoral referenda
• Referenda by local councils on local issues.

UK wide, national and regional referenda

The Political Parties, Elections and referenda Act 2000 establishes a fixed legal framework for the conduct of any referendum held across the UK and also referenda held in Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland. It also applies to regional referenda within England. No referenda have yet been held under this legislation, but a recent Act of Parliament has enabled the holding of referenda on regional assemblies in England.

For further information, please refer to the Political Parties, Elections and referenda Act 2000.

Mayoral referenda

The Local Government Act 2000 set out a major change in the way local authorities in England and Wales are run. Most local authorities, except some of the smaller district councils in the area of a county council, operate executive arrangements. There are three types of executive arrangement set out in the Act, two of which involve a directly elected mayor: mayor and cabinet, and mayor and council manager. The other involves a leader who is elected by councillors and cabinet.

Local authorities consult which arrangements local people want to set up. If there is a proposal to have a mayor, the local authority must hold a binding referendum. Many councils in England have already carried out consultations with local people on this issue. Local residents can also call for a mayoral referendum by organising a petition signed by 5% of local electors or more in England and signed by 10% or more local electors in Wales.

Further information on a mayoral referendum is available from The Electoral Commission website.

Referenda by local councils on local issues

Referenda are now regularly used by local councils to test public opinion on local issues. These referenda are not regulated by law and may take various forms as the council may from time to time decide.

Further information

Louise Stamp
Town Hall
Mulberry Place
5 Clove Crescent
London
E14 2BG

Tel: 020 7364 3139

Pid No: 724