Referendums in the United Kingdom - wikipedia Referendums in the United Kingdom United Kingdom This article is part of a series on the politics and government of the United Kingdom Constitution Constitution Cabinet Manual Erskine May Taxation The Crown British Monarchy Monarch Queen Elizabeth II Heir apparent The Prince of Wales Royal family Succession to the British throne Royal prerogative Executive HM Government Prime Minister Theresa May Cabinet Current ministry Her Majesty 's Civil Service Departments Executive agencies Public bodies Privy Council Crown - in - Council Queen Elizabeth II Legislature Parliament ( 56th Parliament ) Crown - in - Parliament Queen Elizabeth II House of Lords Lord Speaker The Lord Fowler House of Commons Speaker John Bercow Leader of the Opposition Jeremy Corbyn Her Majesty 's Loyal Opposition Shadow Cabinet State Opening of Parliament Prime Minister 's Questions Act of Parliament Statutory Instruments Judiciary Supreme Court President The Baroness Hale of Richmond Deputy President The Lord Mance Judges of the Supreme Court Courts of the United Kingdom Courts of England and Wales Courts of Scotland Courts of Northern Ireland Devolution Joint Ministerial Committee Scotland Government Parliament Wales Government National Assembly Reserved matters Northern Ireland Executive Assembly Administrative geography England Subdivisions of England Local government in England Scotland Subdivisions of Scotland Local government in Scotland Wales Local government in Wales Northern Ireland Local government in Northern Ireland Elections Parliament constituencies Political parties Last election Next election Referendums Foreign relations History Foreign policy UK and the United Nations Politics of the European Union Commonwealth of Nations United Kingdom portal Other countries Atlas National and regional referendums held within the United Kingdom and its constituent countries Northern Ireland border poll 1973 United Kingdom EC referendum Scottish devolution referendum 1979 Welsh devolution referendum 1979 Scottish devolution referendum 1997 Welsh devolution referendum 1997 Greater London Authority referendum 1998 NI Good Friday Agreement referendum 1998 NE England devolution referendum Welsh devolution referendum 2011 United Kingdom AV referendum 2011 Scottish independence referendum 2014 United Kingdom EU referendum 2016 Referendums in the United Kingdom are very occasionally held at a national, regional or local level. National referendums can be permitted by an Act of Parliament and regulated though the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, but they are by tradition extremely rare due to the principle of parliamentary sovereignty meaning that they can not be constitutionally binding on either the Government or Parliament, although they usually have a persuasive political effect. Until the latter half of the twentieth century the concept of a referendum was widely seen in British politics as `` unconstitutional '' and an `` alien device ''. As of 2017, only three national referendums have ever been held across the whole of the United Kingdom : in 1975, 2011 and most recently in 2016. Two of these referendums were held on the issue of the United Kingdom 's relationship with Europe with the first held on the issue of continued membership of what was known at the time as the European Communities ( EC ), which was the collective term for the European Coal and Steel Community ( ECSC ), the European Economic Community ( EEC ) and the European Atomic Energy Community ( EAEC ), and was also referred to by many at that time as the `` Common Market ''. This was the 1975 European Communities membership referendum which was held two and a half years after the United Kingdom became a member on 1 January 1973 and was the first national referendum ever to be held within the United Kingdom. The second took place forty - one years later by which time the various European organisations ( with the exception of EAEC ) had been integrated by subsequent treaty ratifications into the European Union ( EU ) when the electorate was asked to vote again on the issue of continued membership in the 2016 European Union membership referendum. The 2011 AV referendum on the proposal to use the alternative vote system in parliamentary elections is the only UK - wide referendum that has been held on a domestic issue. The referendum was held as a result of the Conservative -- Liberal Democrat Coalition Agreement which was drawn up after the 2010 general election. The Government of the United Kingdom has also to date held eleven major referendums within the constituent countries of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland on issues of devolution, sovereignty and independence ; the first such referendum was the 1973 Northern Ireland border poll and, as of 2018, the most recent is the 2014 Scottish independence referendum. There have also been numerous referendums held by local authorities on issues such as temperance and directly elected mayors. Contents 1 Status of referendums 2 Planned referendums 3 Organisation and legislation 3.1 Legislation 4 National referendums 4.1 1975 European Communities membership referendum 4.2 2011 Alternative Vote referendum 4.3 2016 European Union membership referendum 5 List of other major referendums 5.1 England 5.2 Northern Ireland 5.3 Scotland 5.4 Wales 6 Local referendums 6.1 Advisory referendums 6.1. 1 Transport referendums 6.1. 2 Strathclyde water referendum 6.2 Statutory referendums 6.2. 1 Mayoral and other governance referendums 6.2. 2 Prohibition referendums 6.3 Parish polls 7 See also 8 Notes 9 References 10 External links Status of referendums Major referendums have been rare in the UK, and have only been held on major constitutional issues. Before Tony Blair 's Labour government came to power in 1997, only four such referendums had been held. Historically referendums within the United Kingdom were opposed on the supposition that they violate the principle of parliamentary sovereignty. In May 1945 the then Prime Minister Winston Churchill suggested holding a referendum over the question of extending the life of his wartime Coalition until victory was won over Japan, be allowed to continue in office. However, Clement Attlee refused citing `` I could not consent to the introduction into our national life of a device so alien to all our traditions as the referendum which has only too often been the instrument of Nazism and Fascism. '' implying that referendums were a totally unknown and alien device to British politics. In March 1975 Margaret Thatcher also quoted Clement Attlee that referendums are `` a device of dictators and demagogues '' as Napoleon, Mussolini and Hitler had exploited their use in the past. There are two types of referendum that have been held by the UK Government, pre-legislative ( held before proposed legislation is passed ) and post-legislative ( held after legislation is passed ). To date the previous three UK - wide referendums in 1975, 2011 and 2016 were all post-legislative. Referendums are not legally binding, so legally the Government can ignore the results ; for example, even if the result of a pre-legislative referendum were a majority of `` No '' for a proposed law, Parliament could pass it anyway, because parliament is sovereign. For any UK - wide referendum to be held legislation has to be passed by the UK Parliament for each vote to take place, as there is no pre-determined format or voting franchise for any such vote. However, unlike a general election there is no legal requirement for HM Government not to take any official position in any such vote. For example, in 1975 under the then Prime Minister Harold Wilson the government formally recommended a `` Yes '' vote to staying in the European Community and in 2016 the government formally recommended a `` Remain '' vote to stay in the European Union ( a decision which indirectly led to the resignation of David Cameron as Prime Minister following the decision to `` Leave the European Union '' by the British electorate ). In the 2011 referendum no official position was taken as the Conservative - Liberal Democrat coalition government was split on the issue. Legally, Parliament at any point in future could reverse legislation approved by referendum, because the concept of parliamentary sovereignty means no Parliament can prevent a future Parliament from amending or repealing legislation. However, reversing legislation approved by referendum would be unprecedented. Finally, under the Local Government Act 1972, there is a provision under which non-binding local referendums on any issue can be called by small groups of voters. This power exists only for parish councils, and not larger authorities, and is commonly known as the `` Parish Poll ''. Six local voters may call a meeting, and if ten voters or a third of the meeting ( whichever is smaller ) agree, the council must carry out a referendum in 14 -- 25 days. The referendum is merely advisory, but if there is a substantial majority and the results are well - publicised, it may be influential. Planned referendums The Labour Government of 1997 - 2010 held five referendums on devolution, four of which received a yes majority. Despite the number of referendums that was held during this period no UK - wide referendum was held. One concerning the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe was cancelled, given the French and Dutch rejections of the treaty. Another, on whether the UK should adopt the euro, was never held. The Labour manifesto for the 1997 general election stated `` We are committed to a referendum on the voting system for the House of Commons. '' Despite the research carried out by the Jenkins Commission in 1998 suggesting an AV+ system for Westminster elections, the 2001 manifesto did not make such a promise. After the inconclusive 2010 General Election the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives formed a coalition. As part of the coalition agreement, both parties formally committed to holding a referendum on changes to the electoral system. The referendum was held on 5 May 2011 and was defeated. Since the Government of Wales Act 2006 became law, there can be referendums in Wales asking the people whether the National Assembly for Wales should be given greater law - making powers. The Welsh Labour Party - Plaid Cymru Coalition Government in the Welsh Assembly held such a referendum in 2011, resulting in a yes vote. The Scottish Government held a referendum on Scottish independence on 18 September 2014. It attracted a turnout of 84.59 %, the highest for any referendum held in the UK. The majority ( 55.3 % ) voted against Scotland being an independent country. In March 2017 the Scottish Parliament authorised the Scottish Government to seek to hold a proposed second Scottish independence referendum. The Conservative Party announced in 2013 that they planned to hold a referendum on whether Britain should remain in the European Union ( following a renegotiation of powers between the UK and EU ), in 2017. However, their Liberal Democrat coalition partners took an opposing stance so it was not Coalition Government policy. The Conservatives then attempted to pass the required legislation as a Private Member 's Bill ( the European Union ( Referendum ) Bill 2013 -- 14 introduced by Conservative MP James Wharton ), but this was not passed by the House of Lords. Following the United Kingdom general election, 2015 the Prime Minister, David Cameron committed the new Conservative government to holding the referendum. It took place on 23 June 2016. The referendum resulted in an overall vote to leave the EU, as opposed to remaining an EU member, by 51.9 % to 48.1 %, respectively. Under the European Union Act 2011 there is also provision for the United Kingdom to hold future referendums in the event of powers being transferred from the UK to the European Union under any treaty changes. Organisation and legislation There was no independent public body to regulate referendums within the United Kingdom until the Labour government led by Tony Blair in 2000 set out a framework for the running of all future referendums when the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 or PPERA was passed, creating and giving the Electoral Commission responsibility for running all elections and such future referendums. The act also permitted the appointment of a `` chief counting officer '' ( CCO ) to oversee all future UK - wide referendums which would be held by the chairperson of the Electoral Commission. Legislation Separate legislation ( i.e. an Act of Parliament ) by the Parliament of the United Kingdom is required for the holding of each UK - wide referendum which is held to set out the referendum question, its format, the franchise for each plebiscite, and how each count is to be conducted. In the following is a list of legislation which has been passed by the UK Parliament to enable the holding of the following UK - wide referendums. Referendum Act 1975 ( United Kingdom European Communities membership referendum, 1975 ) Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act 2011 ( United Kingdom Alternative Vote referendum, 2011 ) European Union Referendum Act 2015 ( United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, 2016 ) National referendums To date only been three referendums have been held which have covered the whole of the United Kingdom. The following is a description of each of the three national referendums. 1975 European Communities membership referendum See also : United Kingdom European Communities membership referendum, 1975 All but two areas voted `` Yes '' On Thursday 5 June 1975 the United Kingdom held its first ever nationwide referendum on whether to continue its membership of the European Communities ( EC ) principally the European Economic Community ( EEC, or `` Common Market '' ) as it was more widely known at the time. The UK had been a member of the EC since 1 January 1973 and the vote came about after a manifesto commitment by the Labour Party under the then Prime Minister Harold Wilson in the UK General Election in October 1974 and following a renegotiation of EC membership. All of the major political parties and mainstream press supported continuing membership of the EC. However, there were significant splits within the ruling Labour party, the membership of which had voted 2 : 1 in favour of withdrawal at a one - day party conference on 26 April 1975. Since the cabinet was split between strongly pro-European and strongly anti-European ministers, Harold Wilson suspended the constitutional convention of Cabinet collective responsibility and allowed ministers to publicly campaign on either side. Seven of the twenty - three members of the cabinet opposed EC membership and the party was formally neutral on the issue. The referendum which was non-binding was conducted in its entirety under the provisions of the Referendum Act 1975 as there was no prior procedure or legislation within the United Kingdom for the holding of any such plebiscite. The two campaign groups in the referendum were `` Britain in Europe '' advocating a yes vote and `` National Referendum Campaign '' advocating a no vote. The voters were asked to vote `` Yes '' or `` No '' on the question : `` Do you think the United Kingdom should stay in the European Community ( the Common Market ) ? '' Of the 68 counting areas in the counties and administrative regions of the UK who voted `` Yes '', only the Shetland Islands and the Outer Hebrides voted `` No ''. In line with the outcome of the vote, the United Kingdom remained a member of the European Communities which would later become the European Union. United Kingdom European Communities membership referendum, 1975 National result Choice Votes % Yes 17,378,581 67.23 % No 8,470,073 32.70 % Valid votes 25,848,654 99.78 % Invalid or blank votes 54,540 0.22 % Total votes 25,903,194 100.00 % Registered voters and turnout 40,086,677 64.67 % National referendum results ( without spoiled ballots ) : Yes : 17,378,581 ( 67.2 % ) No : 8,470,073 ( 32.8 % ) ▲ 2011 alternative vote referendum All but ten areas voted `` No '' See also : United Kingdom Alternative Vote referendum, 2011 The alternative vote referendum, as part of the Conservative -- Liberal Democrat Coalition Agreement drawn up after the 2010 general election, was a nationwide vote held on Thursday 5 May 2011 ( the same date as local elections in many areas ) to choose the method of electing MPs at subsequent general elections. The referendum concerned whether to replace the present `` first - past - the - post '' system with the `` alternative vote '' ( AV ) method. The voters were asked to vote yes or no on the question `` At present, the UK uses the `` first past the post '' system to elect MPs to the House of Commons. Should the `` alternative vote '' system be used instead ? ``. It was the first nationwide referendum to be held for some thirty six years and was legislated for under the provisions of the Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act 2011 and the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 and is to date the first and only UK - wide referendum to be held on a domestic issue. Turnout was low at just 42 % nationally and was also marked by relatively low key campaigning. The two campaigning groups for the referendum was advocating a yes vote Yes to Fairer Votes and advocating a no vote NOtoAV. AV was rejected by 67 % of voters with all but ten of the 440 voting areas voted `` No '' and the proposed legislation to introduce AV which was subject to the referendum was repealed. United Kingdom Alternative Vote referendum, 2011 National result Choice Votes % No 13,013,123 67.90 % Yes 6,152,607 32.10 % Valid votes 19,165,730 99.41 % Invalid or blank votes 113,292 0.59 % Total votes 19,279,022 100.00 % Registered voters and turnout 45,684,501 42.20 % Source : Electoral Commission National referendum results ( without spoiled ballots ) : Yes : 6,152,607 ( 32.10 % ) No : 13,013,123 ( 67.90 % ) ▲ 2016 European Union membership referendum A total of 263 voting areas voted to `` Leave '' whilst 119 voting areas voted to `` Remain '' in the referendum. Leave Remain See also : United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, 2016 On Thursday 23 June 2016 the United Kingdom voted for the second time in 41 years on its membership to what is now known as the European Union ( EU ) with the overseas territory Gibraltar also voting on the issue for the very first time. The referendum was called after Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron made a manifesto commitment in the 2015 UK general election to undertake a renegotiation of the UK 's membership to the European Union which would be followed by a in - out referendum. All of the major political parties were in favour of remaining an EU member, except for a split within the Conservative Party. The cabinet was split between pro-EU and anti-EU ministers, and Cameron suspended the constitutional convention of Cabinet collective responsibility, allowing ministers to publicly campaign on either side. Seven of the 23 members of the Cabinet opposed continued EU membership. The referendum was legislated for under the provisions of the European Union Referendum Act 2015, which legally required HM Government to hold the referendum no later than 31 December 2017 and also the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. Voters were asked to vote `` Remain a member of the European Union '' or `` Leave the European Union '' on the question `` Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union ? '' The main campaign groups for the referendum were advocating a `` remain '' vote was Britain Stronger in Europe and advocating a `` leave '' vote was Vote Leave. The `` Leave '' option was voted by 52 % of voters, as opposed to 48 % of voters who wished to `` Remain ''. Of the 382 voting areas, 263 returned majority votes in favour of `` Leave '' whilst 119 returned majority votes in favour of `` Remain '' which included every Scottish council area and all but five of the London boroughs. The vote revealed divisions among the constituent nations of the United Kingdom, with England and Wales voting to leave, but Scotland and Northern Ireland voting to remain. The national turnout was 72 % which was eight percentage points higher than the turnout back in 1975. It was the first time a UK - wide referendum result had gone against the preferred choice of HM Government who had officially recommended a `` Remain '' vote and it led to a period of political turmoil. As a direct consequence of losing the referendum, David Cameron announced his resignation as Prime Minister on the morning after the vote. He left office three weeks later on 13 July, and was succeeded by Theresa May. United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, 2016 National result Choice Votes % Leave the European Union 17,410,742 51.89 % Remain a member of the European Union 16,141,241 48.11 % Valid votes 33,551,983 99.92 % Invalid or blank votes 25,359 0.08 % Total votes 33,577,342 100.00 % Registered voters and turnout 46,500,001 72.21 % Voting age population and turnout 51,356,768 65.38 % Source : Electoral Commission National referendum results ( without spoiled ballots ) Leave : 17,410,742 ( 51.9 % ) Remain : 16,141,241 ( 48.1 % ) ▲ List of other major referendums Since 1973 there have been eleven other referendums held by the Government of the United Kingdom within the constituent countries related to the issues of sovereignty, devolution and independence in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales and in parts of England ( in the North East and London ). England Greater London Authority referendum, 1998, on whether there should be a Mayor of London and Greater London Authority ( yes ) North East England devolution referendum, 2004, on an elected regional assembly ( no ) Northern Ireland Northern Ireland sovereignty referendum, 1973, on whether Northern Ireland should leave the United Kingdom ( UK ) and join the Republic of Ireland ( no ) Northern Ireland Belfast Agreement referendum, 1998, on the Good Friday Agreement ( yes ) Scotland Scottish devolution referendum, 1979, on whether there should be a Scottish Assembly ( small majority voted yes, but fell short of the 40 % threshold required to enact devolution ) Scottish devolution referendum, 1997, Two questions : On whether there should be a Scottish Parliament ( yes ) ; On whether a Scottish Parliament should have tax varying powers ( yes ) Scottish independence referendum, 2014 on the question `` Should Scotland be an independent country ? '', 18 September 2014 ( no ) Wales Welsh devolution referendum, 1979, on whether there should be a Welsh Assembly ( no ) Welsh devolution referendum, 1997, on whether there should be a National Assembly for Wales ( yes ) Welsh devolution referendum, 2011, on whether the National Assembly should have increased law - making powers ( yes ) Local referendums Referendums have been held in local areas in England, Wales and Scotland since 1913. These have covered issues such as local government administration, transport, prohibition, and other local questions. The areas covered have generally corresponded to local authority areas, civil parishes, or wards, with all local government electors of the relevant area being eligible to vote. Advisory referendums Principal authorities in Great Britain have the ability to hold an advisory referendum on any issue relating to its services, financial provisions, and other matters that are relevant to the area. The power for principal local authorities to hold a poll within England and Wales is specifically granted by the Local Government Act 2003 ; previously local polls relied upon a council 's power to consult residents and collect information. In Scotland the power is similarly implied by the Local Government ( Scotland ) Act 1973, and an additional power is conferred by the requirement of the Transport ( Scotland ) Act 2001 to consult before introducing a road charging scheme. The power to hold local referendums has not been extended to Northern Ireland. A local advisory referendum is not required to follow the legislation governing the conduct of other referendums and elections in the UK. The local authority can choose how to conduct a local referendum, and may choose to hold the vote solely by post, instead of using polling stations. Transport referendums Main articles : Edinburgh road tolls referendum, 2005 and Greater Manchester transport referendum, 2008 The City of Edinburgh Council held a postal - ballot referendum in February 2005 over whether voters supported the Council 's proposed transport strategy. These plans included a congestion charge which would have required motorists to pay a fee to enter the city at certain times of the day. The result was announced on 22 February 2005 and the people of Edinburgh had rejected the proposals. 74 % voted against, 26 % voted in favour, and the turnout was 62 %. Strathclyde water referendum Main article : Strathclyde water referendum, 1994 Strathclyde Regional Council held a referendum in 1994 on the plans of the Conservative UK government to privatise water services within Scotland. The government planned to sell the three recently established water authorities in Scotland, created under the Local Government etc. ( Scotland ) Act 1994 as a precursor for privatisation, which would bring Scotland in line with the 1989 privatisation in England and Wales. Strathclyde council, which previously held responsibility for water services, planned the referendum in response to overwhelming public opinion against the move. The referendum, conducted by post, resulted in 97 % voting against the plan, with 70 % of the electorate participating. Although the referendum had no legal effect, the plan to privatise Scottish water services was eventually dropped. Statutory referendums Legislation in England and Wales obliges local authorities to hold and abide by the results of referendums in certain circumstances. In England, raising Council Tax above a level proscribed by the Local Government Secretary requires approval in a referendum. The threshold was initially set at 2 % in 2012 for all types of local authority, but for authorities that fund social care the threshold was increased to 4 % in 2015 and 5 % in 2017. From April 2018 the figures for both types of authority have been increased by an additional 1 %. This provision applies to all precepting authorities, when this is not the billing authority ( i.e. the district council ), the latter will hold the referendum on the precepting authority 's behalf, and recoup the costs. Only one council tax referendum has been held, on behalf of the Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner, and the rise was rejected. A proposal for a referendum to increase the council tax for Surrey County Council by 15 % was initially approved by the council, but plans for the increase were abandoned before the referendum could go ahead. The Localism Act 2011 allows parish councils or local community groups to create neighbourhood development plans. The plans are intended to guide planning decisions within the neighbourhood area, by outlining the amount and type of development that should occur in the area, what land may be built upon and how existing buildings may be reused. For a plan to come into force, it must be approved by the electorate in the local area in a referendum. Neighbourhood planning referendums have a high success rate, with all being approved as of December 2015. Mayoral and other governance referendums Main article : England and Wales mayoral referendums A local authority in England and Wales can hold a referendum on changing its executive arrangements between a directly elected mayor, a leader and cabinet, and in England only, a committee system. A referendum can be held by three methods ; by a resolution of the council to hold one, under an order from the government, or upon receiving a petition signed by five percent of registered voters within the local authority area, in the only example of the initiative process in the United Kingdom. If successful, the council must change its governance system, and hold an election for the mayor if necessary. The process differs between England and Wales. In England, a referendum can be held on moving between any of the three systems, and following the vote another referendum may not be held for 10 years. A council is not required to hold a referendum to change its executive arrangements, but a change that has occurred as a result of a referendum can only be changed following another referendum. In Wales, a council must hold a referendum to change between a mayor and leader and cabinet, with the minimum period between votes set at five years. Fifty - three referendums have taken place in local authorities to establish whether there is support for directly elected mayors. Sixteen were successful and a mayoralty was established ; in thirty - seven local authorities an elected mayor was rejected by voters. An additional six referendums have been held on removing the post of elected mayor, with three mayoralties being retained, and three disestablished. Ten referendums were held in 2012 as part of the government 's manifesto to introduce elected mayors in the largest cities in England without the position. Only one new mayoralty was approved, and no further votes have been ordered by the government. Two referendums have been held in response to a petition on moving to a committee system, in the Borough of Fylde and in West Dorset. Both referendums were successful. On average, turnout is similar to that of local elections, with the highest turnout 64 % in Berwick - upon - Tweed ( held alongside the 2001 general election ) and the lowest 10 % in the London Borough of Ealing. Prohibition referendums The temperance movement led to two countries of the UK gaining the right to hold referendums on the sale of alcohol in the local area, upon the request of a number of local electors. The Temperance ( Scotland ) Act 1913 provided that polls could be held in small local areas in Scotland to determine whether to instate a level of prohibition on the purchase of alcoholic beverages ; the provisions were later incorporated into the Licensing ( Scotland ) Act 1959. Between 1913 and 1965 1,131 such polls were held, with the vast majority ( 1,079 ) held before 1930. These provisions and the local polls were abolished by the Licensing ( Scotland ) Act 1976. The Sunday Closing ( Wales ) Act 1881 mandated that all public houses in Wales be closed on Sundays. The Act was extended to Monmouthshire in 1921. Under the terms of the Licensing Act 1961, on the application of 500 local electors, a referendum could be held in each local government area at seven - year intervals on whether that district should be `` wet '' or `` dry '' on the Sabbath. Most districts in the border area and the southern industrial area went `` wet '' in 1961 or 1968, with most others following suit in 1975. In 1982, the last district, Dwyfor, in western Gwynedd, went `` wet '' and it was thought that the influence of the Sabbatarian temperance movement had expired and few referendums were called, but surprisingly a further referendum was called in Dwyfor in 1989 and the area went `` dry '' for another seven years on a 9 % turnout. The whole of Wales was `` wet '' from 1996, and the facility for further referendums was removed by the Sunday Licensing Act 2003. Parish polls A parish poll is a referendum held in a civic parish under the Local Government Act 1972. The cost of holding such polls is met by the parish council. `` A poll may be demanded before the conclusion of a community meeting on any question arising at the meeting ; but no poll shall be taken unless either the person presiding at the meeting consents or the poll is demanded by not less than ten, or one - third, of the local government electors present at the meeting, whichever is the less. '' In September 2007, villagers in East Stoke in Dorset forced a referendum, under the Local Government Act 1972, on this question : `` Do You Want a Referendum on the EU Constitutional Treaty ? Yes or No ? '' Of the 339 people who were eligible to vote, 80 voted : 72 votes for Yes and 8 votes for No. The poll was initiated by a supporter of the United Kingdom Independence Party, a political party noted for its Euroscepticism. The poll was criticised by the chairman of the parish council as `` little more than a publicity stunt. '' See also Accession of the United Kingdom to the European Communities Elections in the United Kingdom Referendum Act 1975 Parish and Community Meetings ( Polls ) Rules 1987 Referendums ( Scotland & Wales ) Act 1997 Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act 2011 Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 Regional Assemblies ( Preparations ) Act 2003 North East England devolution referendum, 2004 European Union Act 2011 Edinburgh Agreement ( 2012 ) European Union Referendum Act 2015 Category : Referendums in British Overseas Territories Notes Jump up ^ Although the legislation includes parish councils, the government does not currently enforce a cap. Jump up ^ A council can adopt a Mayor with a resolution approved by two - thirds of the councillors. References Jump up ^ `` Holding a Local Referendum ''. Direct Democracy Campaign. Archived from the original on 16 November 2009. Retrieved 2010 - 05 - 09. Jump up ^ `` 1997 Labour Party Manifesto ''. Labour-party.org.uk. 1999 - 01 - 01. Archived from the original on 31 July 2008. Retrieved 2010 - 05 - 09. Jump up ^ Mure Dickie ( 28 March 2017 ). `` Scottish parliament backs second independence referendum ''. Financial Times. Jump up ^ `` David Cameron Pledges EU Referendum if Conservatives Win Next Election ''. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 24 January 2013. Retrieved 19 February 2013. Jump up ^ `` David Cameron : EU referendum bill shows only Tories listen ''. BBC. 14 May 2013. Retrieved 14 July 2013. Jump up ^ `` Cameron promises European Union referendum by 2017 ''. The Irish Times. 2015 - 05 - 09. Jump up ^ DAvis Butler. `` The 1975 Referendum '' ( PDF ). Eureferendum.com. Archived from the original ( PDF ) on 15 August 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2016. Jump up ^ `` Research Briefings -- The 1974 -- 75 UK Renegotiation of EEC Membership and Referendum ''. Researchbriefings.parliament.uk. Retrieved 19 May 2016. ^ Jump up to : Sandford, Mark ( 4 March 2016 ). `` Local government : polls and referendums '' ( 03409 ). House of Commons Library. Retrieved 3 November 2016. Jump up ^ Section 112, Local Government Act 2003, Act No. 2003 c 26 of 18 September 2003. Retrieved on 3 November 2016. Jump up ^ `` Edinburgh rejects congestion plan ''. BBC News. 22 February 2005. Retrieved 18 October 2016. ^ Jump up to : Mark Sandford ( 26 September 2016 ). `` Council Tax : Local Referendums ''. Briefing Paper. House of Commons Library ( 05682 ). Retrieved 24 October 2016. Jump up ^ `` Council tax bills in England may rise by up to 5.99 % ''. BBC News. 20 December 2017. Retrieved 20 December 2017. Jump up ^ `` Bedfordshire Police council tax rise rejected at referendum ''. BBC News. 11 May 2015. Retrieved 28 October 2016. Jump up ^ `` Surrey Council tax rise of 15 % scrapped ''. BBC News. 7 February 2017. ^ Jump up to : Sandford, Mark ( 17 October 2016 ). `` Directly - elected Mayors ''. Briefing Paper. House of Commons Library. 05000. Retrieved 3 November 2016. Jump up ^ Syal, Rajeev ; Meikle, James ( 4 May 2012 ). `` David Cameron plan for elected mayors rejected as English cities vote no ''. TheGuardian.com. Guardian News and Media. Retrieved 3 November 2016. Jump up ^ `` Fylde Referendum : Voters Approve Change in Governance ''. Fylde Borough Council. May 2014. Jump up ^ `` West Dorset votes for change in council system ''. Bridport and Lyme Regis News. Newsquest. Retrieved 3 November 2016. Jump up ^ `` Temperance Polls ( Hansard, 15 December 1965 ) ''. Hansard.millbanksystems.com. 1965 - 12 - 15. Retrieved 2010 - 12 - 04. Jump up ^ Foggo, Daniel ( 1 October 2000 ). `` Parishes reject euro by overwhelming margin ''. The Daily Telegraph. London. Jump up ^ `` Parish Polls ''. South Staffordshire Council. Retrieved 3 November 2016. Jump up ^ `` Local Government Act 1972 ''. Legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 2016 - 07 - 05. Jump up ^ `` Villagers back EU referendum call ''. BBC News. 2007 - 09 - 21. Retrieved 2010 - 05 - 09. Jump up ^ `` East Stoke Parish Poll on 20th September 2007 - `` Do You Want a Referendum on the EU Constitutional Treaty ? Yes or No ? '' ``. East Stoke Parish Council. Archived from the original on 31 October 2007. Retrieved 8 November 2016. External links The Electoral Commission - Referendums The Electoral Commission - Mayoral Referendums United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, 2016 Renegotiation Results Aftermath Brexit Referendum question `` Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union ? '' Referendum legislation European Union Referendum Act 2015 European Union ( Referendum ) Act 2016 ( Gibraltar ) Background Treaty of Rome UK Accession to the European Communities Treaty of Accession 1972 European Communities Act 1972 1973 EC enlargement 1975 European Communities membership referendum Single European Act European Communities ( Amendment ) Act 1986 UK rebate Black Wednesday Maastricht Treaty Treaty on European Union European Communities ( Amendment ) Act 1993 European Economic Area European Economic Area Act 1993 Treaty of Amsterdam European Communities ( Amendment ) Act 1998 Treaty of Nice European Communities ( Amendment ) Act 2002 Treaty of Accession 2003 European Union ( Accessions ) Act 2003 European Constitution European Union Bill 2005 Treaty of Lisbon Withdrawal from the European Union Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union European Union ( Amendment ) Act 2008 European Union Act 2011 European Union ( Referendum ) Bill 2013 2014 UK European Parliament election 2015 UK general election Euroscepticism in the United Kingdom Campaign 2016 referendum campaign Issues Opinion polling Endorsements Project Fear Campaign organisations Remain Official campaign Britain Stronger in Europe Other campaigns Labour In for Britain Leave Official campaign Vote Leave Other campaigns Leave.EU Grassroots Out Labour Leave Campaign for an Independent Britain The Freedom Association Better Off Out Get Britain Out Bruges Group Televised debates The European Union : In or Out ( 2014 ) Aftermath International reactions Conservative Party leadership election Labour Party leadership election UK Independence Party leadership election ( September ) UK Independence Party leadership election ( November ) 2017 UK general election Brexit R ( Miller ) v Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union United Kingdom invocation of Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union Brexit negotiations Effect of Brexit on Gibraltar Effects of Brexit on science and technology WTO Option Brexit legislation European Union ( Notification of Withdrawal ) Act 2017 European Union ( Withdrawal ) Bill Related Brexit : The Movie ( 2016 documentary ) Change Britain `` Enemies of the People '' London independence More United The New European ( newspaper ) Open Britain Proposed second Scottish independence referendum United Ireland Status of Akrotiri and Dhekelia and Gibraltar Impact of Brexit on the European Union United Kingdom Alternative Vote referendum, 2011 Results Referendum question `` At present, the UK uses the `` first past the post '' system to elect MPs to the House of Commons. Should the `` alternative vote '' system be used instead ? '' Legislation Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act 2011 Parties For a `` Yes '' vote Alliance Party of Northern Ireland Christian Party Christian Peoples Alliance English Democrats Green Party of England and Wales Liberal Democrats Liberal Party Mebyon Kernow Pirate Party UK Plaid Cymru Scottish Green Party Scottish National Party SDLP Sinn Féin UKIP Libertarian Party Neutral / split Labour Party Socialist Party of Great Britain Official Monster Raving Loony Party For a `` No '' vote British National Party Communist Party Conservative Party Democratic Unionist Party England First Party Green Party in Northern Ireland Respect Party Socialist Party Traditional Unionist Voice Ulster Unionist Party Advocacy groups Advocating a `` Yes '' vote YES ! To Fairer Votes Advocating a `` No '' vote NOtoAV Print media For a `` Yes '' vote The Guardian The Independent Financial Times Daily Mirror For a `` No '' vote The Sun Daily Mail The Times Daily Express The Daily Telegraph The Economist London Evening Standard Politics Portal United Kingdom European Communities membership referendum, 1975 Results Referendum question `` Do you think that the United Kingdom should stay in the European Community ( the Common Market ) ? '' Legislation Referendum Act 1975 Background Treaty of Rome 1970 UK General election UK Accession to the European Communities Treaty of Accession 1972 European Communities Act 1972 1973 EC enlargement 1974 UK General election ( February ) 1974 UK General election ( October ) Campaign organisations Advocating a `` Yes '' vote Britain in Europe Advocating a `` No '' vote National Referendum Campaign Parties For a `` Yes '' vote Conservative Party Liberal Party Social Democratic and Labour Party Alliance Party Vanguard Unionist Progressive Party Neutral / split Labour Party For a `` No '' vote Scottish National Party Plaid Cymru Ulster Unionist Party National Front Communist Party of Great Britain Aftermath European Assembly Elections Act 1978 1979 UK European Parliament election UK rebate Single European Act Black Wednesday Maastricht Treaty Lisbon Treaty UK renegotiation of EU membership, 2016 2016 European Union membership referendum Devolution in the United Kingdom Devolved areas National level Northern Ireland Scotland Wales Regional level ( in England ) Combined authorities Directly elected mayoralties Greater London Authority Referendums English mayoral referendums London, 1998 2012 North East England Northern Ireland 1998 Scotland 1979 1997 Wales 1979 1997 2011 Heads of devolved governments Metro mayors Directly elected mayors London ( Mayor ) Northern Ireland ( FM and dFM ) Scotland ( FM ) Wales ( FM ) Devolved legislatures Northern Ireland Assembly National Assembly for Wales Scottish Parliament Devolved administrations Northern Ireland Executive Scottish Government Welsh Government Organisations and laws of the legislatures and governments of the UK and the devolved areas Commissions ( UK Parliament ) Kilbrandon Commission Holtham Commission Silk Commission McKay Commission Commissions ( devolved legislatures ) National Assembly for Wales Richard Commission Holtham Commission Scottish Parliament Calman Commission Smith Commission Referendum & Devolution acts Greater London Authority ( Referendum ) Act 1998 Greater London Authority Acts 1999 2007 Northern Ireland Acts 1998 2006 Referendums ( Scotland & Wales ) Act 1997 Wales Acts 1998 2006 2014 2017 Scotland Acts 1998 2012 2016 Select committees Northern Ireland Affairs Scottish Affairs Welsh Affairs Grand committees Legislative Grand Committee Northern Ireland Scottish Welsh Departments and Territorial Offices ( MOJ ) Cabinet Office - Devolution Secretariat Ministry of Justice - Devolution Directorate - General Office of the Advocate General for Scotland Northern Ireland Office Scotland Office Wales Office Elections London Northern Ireland Scotland Wales Related articles Current Agreements / Treaties Anglo - Irish Treaty Good Friday Agreement Budget Barnett formula Block grant Constitution of the United Kingdom Reserved and excepted matters West Lothian question Proposals Cornwall Cornish Assembly Cornish Constitutional Convention Mebyon Kernow Revived Cornish Stannary Parliament Devolved English parliament Campaign for an English Parliament Northern England Campaign for the North Yorkshire Party Other parts of Southern England Wessex Regionalist Party Scotland Full fiscal autonomy Historical Administrations of England English Regional Assemblies, 1998 - 2010 Administrations of London London County Council Greater London Council Administrations of Northern Ireland 1922 -- 72 Legislatures of Northern Ireland 1922 -- 72 1973 -- 74 1982 -- 86 Northern Ireland - related legislation of the UK Parliament Ireland, 1886 Ireland, 1893 Ireland, 1914 Ireland, 1920 Irish Free State, 1922 Northern Ireland, 1974 Irish Home Rule movement Prime Minister of Northern Ireland Scotland Act 1978 Scottish Office Sunningdale Agreement Wales Act 1978 Welsh Office 1. Rejected referendums are italicised. The others were fully or partially approved. 2. There is no law - making body for any regionally devolved area. 3. Administrations of regionally devolved areas are omitted. Scottish independence referendum, 2014 Referendum question `` Should Scotland be an independent country ? '' Key events Choosing Scotland 's Future National Conversation Election of SNP majority government Edinburgh Agreement March and Rally for Scottish Independence Scotland 's Future Smith Commission 2014 Commonwealth Games Parties For a `` Yes '' vote Scottish National Party Scottish Green Party Scottish Socialist Party For a `` No '' vote Scottish Labour Party Scottish Conservative Party Scottish Liberal Democrats UK Independence Party Campaign organisations Advocating a `` Yes '' vote Yes Scotland Advocating a `` No '' vote Better Together Other campaign groups For a `` Yes '' vote Business for Scotland Generation Yes Labour for Independence National Collective Women for Independence Radical Independence Campaign For a `` No '' vote United with Labour Legislation Referendum Act Referendum ( Franchise ) Act Televised debates Salmond & Darling : The Debate Scotland Decides : Salmond versus Darling Scotland Decides : The Big, Big Debate Related topics Endorsements Opinion polling Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles The Case for an Independent Socialist Scotland Result Results Politics Portal Elections and referendums in the United Kingdom General elections 1801 co-option 1802 1806 1807 1812 1818 1820 1826 1830 1831 1832 -- 33 1835 1837 1841 1847 1852 1857 1859 1865 1868 1874 1880 1885 1886 1892 1895 1900 1906 1910 ( Jan -- Feb ) 1910 ( Dec ) 1918 1922 1923 1924 1929 1931 1935 1945 1950 1951 1955 1959 1964 1966 1970 1974 ( Feb ) 1974 ( Oct ) 1979 1992 1997 2001 2005 2015 2017 Next Local elections 1889 1890 1892 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1984 1985 1986 1989 1992 1994 1995 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 European elections 1979 1984 1989 1994 1999 2009 2014 Referendums 2011 2016 Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Referendums_in_the_United_Kingdom&oldid=834223416 '' Categories : Referendums in the United Kingdom Hidden categories : Use dmy dates from June 2013 Use British English from June 2013 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Български Edit links This page was last edited on 4 April 2018, at 15 : 36. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. About Wikipedia

Question: how many referendums have there been in the uk
Answer: three