| ID | 111661 |
| Title Proper | Voting on electoral reform |
| Other Title Information | a comparative perspective on the alternative vote referendum in the United Kingdom |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Qvortrup, Matt |
| Publication | 2012. |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | Referendums on electoral systems are relatively rare. In most countries changes to the electoral system are enacted through the legislatures. The British referendum in May 2011 is thus one of the rare examples. In this article it is shown that the apparently idiosyncratic factors in the referendum were consistent with general trends identified in other referendums. While the media focused on the harshness of the campaign, the referendum also resulted in surprising coalitions between long-term foes, thus suggesting that the referendum contributed to cross-party cooperation rarely seen in a majoritarian system like that of Great Britain. |
| `In' analytical Note | Political Quarterly Vol. 83, No.1; Jan-Mar 2012: p.108-116 |
| Journal Source | Political Quarterly Vol. 83, No.1; Jan-Mar 2012: p.108-116 |
| Key Words | Referendums ; Electoral Systems ; Electoral Reform ; Campaigning ; Liberal Democrats ; Constitutional Reform |