Referendums - information and advice
Referendums can be called by a number of different bodies such as parliament or a local council. In the past referendums have been called to find out if the public wish to enter the European Community organisation and to see if London residents wished to have a London Mayor.
The Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA) establishes a fixed legal framework for the conduct of any referendum held across the UK, or a referendum held in Scotland, Wales, England or Northern Ireland. It also applies to regional referendums within England. No referendums have yet been held under this legislation. However a recent Act of Parliament has enabled the holding of referendums on regional assemblies in England.
More information about UK, national and regional referendums is available on the
Electoral Commission's website (opens in a new window) 
.
