Referenda

Politicians take decisions. Voters return them or vote them out based on these decisions.

Politics is simple.

Referenda are often used by politicians who don't want to take the decision as a way of avoiding responsibility. In my view, that is wrong.

Good referenda: devolution in 1997, joining the EEC
Bad referendum: devolution 1979
Good subject for referendum: a European federal state
Bad subject for referendum: joining the single currency (election issue)

Now, I have no objection to following the Swiss model of referenda on most major issues, but I do have a problem with the concept of "Propositions" as used in California, largely as it is a way for institutions to further their interests.

So where am I going with this? If politicians start calling for referenda then beware. Either every major decision should be the subject of a vote or only a very few should be.

Let's test the water -- a politicians in favour of a referendum on their pay increases raise your hands now! If that's not a good subject to start with, then how can they justify anything else?