Referendums in The United Kingdom - List of Major Referendums

List of Major Referendums

Since 1973 there have been eleven referendums held by the Government of the United Kingdom, the majority of them have been related to the issue of devolution. The first UK-wide referendum was held in 1975 on the United Kingdom’s continued membership of the European Community.

• Northern Ireland sovereignty referendum, 1973, on whether Northern Ireland should remain part of the United Kingdom or join the Republic of Ireland (UK)
• United Kingdom European Communities membership referendum, 1975, on whether the UK should remain part of the European Economic Community (yes)
• 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)
• Welsh devolution referendum, 1979, on whether there should be a Welsh Assembly (no)
• 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)
• Welsh devolution referendum, 1997, on whether there should be a National Assembly for Wales (yes)
• Greater London Authority referendum, 1998, on whether there should be a Mayor of London and Greater London Authority (yes)
• Northern Ireland Belfast Agreement referendum, 1998, on the Good Friday Agreement (yes)
• North East England devolution referendum, 2004, on an elected regional assembly (no)
• Welsh devolution referendum, 2011 (yes)
• United Kingdom Alternative Vote referendum, 2011, 5 May 2011. (no)