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There is no specific law governing referenda in the UK. The earliest local referendums in the UK were held in Scotland in 1913, on the issue of alcohol prohibition, under the Temperance (Scotland) Act 1913 (repealed in 1976). Referendums at parish-level, by voter initiative, were first legalised in 1972. Like all referenda in the UK these are non-binding - a referendum is only binding if the law calling for it explicitly says so.
The first major referendum was held in 1973 in Northern Ireland, amid a nationalist-led boycott, asking if the country wished to remain in the UK or join the Republic of Ireland. The result was 98.9% voting to stay in the Union, with 58.1% turnout. Similar referenda on devolution or to increase regional power have since been held in Wales (thrice), Scotland (twice), North-East England and Greater London. The first referendum to successfully change the law was the 1997 Scottish devolution referendum.
The first nation-wide referendum was held on June 5, 1975. It asked voters if they agreed with the Government's decision to join the European Economic Community, with 67.2% voting "Yes" on 64.% turnout. This referendum was not binding, and would not necessarily have led to a change in the law.
The first binding nation-wide referendum was held on May 5th, 2011, asking voters if they wished to use the Alternative Vote system for elections to the House of Commons. 67.9% voted "No" on 41.9% turnout. If there had been a "Yes" vote, the referendum would definitely have been followed by legislative action and electoral reform by 2015.
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Where were chocolate bars first introduced?
Britain
When were the first bottle banks introduced in Britain?
Barnsley June 6, 1977
How did toilets be introduced to Britain?
I think in the Roman times they had little rooms with a hole in the floor, they used it in Britain, Hole in the ground, first toilet.
Did they have postage stamps in 1787?
No, they did not exist then. Great Britain introduced the first postage stamps in 1840.
Which British sailor introduced the potato to great Britain?
Introduced into Britain by Sir Frances Drake in 1580
In what year was Ovaltine first marketed?
Ovaltine was introduced in Switzerland in 1904 as Ovamaltine, and later in the US as Ovaltine, in 1915. It was introduced in Britain in 1909, also as Ovaltine.
Where Postage stamps were introduced in?
The first postage stamp was issued by Great Britain on 1 May 1840.
From where did the Classic Mini Cooper originate?
The Classic Mini Cooper was first introduced in Great Britain in 1961.
When was chess brought to Britain?
Chess was introduced into Britain in 1066.
When was the custom of decorating Christmas trees with candles and presents introduced into Britain?
the first Christmas tree was introduced in the Victorian aerier when prince Albert brought the idear from his own country
When was English introduced in Fiji?
English was introduced in Fiji on the early arrivals of Missionaries from Britain.
Who Invented Football and what year?
Cuju was actually the first to invent Football/Soccer in 206 BC but great Britain then Introduced it in 1900
