Referendums quotes:

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Referendums are a democratic instrument, but so are decisions reached in a parliamentary democracy. I advise extreme caution when it comes to referendums. In Germany too. -- Martin Schulz
Referendums have always posed a threat when it comes to EU policy, because EU policy is complicated. They're an opportunity for those from all political camps who like to oversimplify things. -- Martin Schulz
Should National Security Issues be decided by a Local Referendum? -- Arun Jaitley
No treaty should be ratified without consulting the British people in a referendum -- David Cameron
I am logically in favour of a referendum. It would be the only legitimate way. -- Jacques Chirac
Douglas Carswell accused all political parties of "deliberately cultivating the impression" that there would be a referendum. -- Douglas Carswell
The good thing about not calling it a Constitution is that no one can ask for a referendum on it. -- Giuliano Amato
No, a euro referendum will not be part of a government programme if we get the chance to form one, -- Helle Thorning-Schmidt
The Government have made it clear that the constitutional treaty will be ratified in the UK only after a referendum. -- Geoff Hoon
REFERENDUM, n. A law for submission of proposed legislation to a popular vote to learn the nonsensus of public opinion. -- Ambrose Bierce
Maybe this will be the beginning of a trend? Flat taxes, cutting foreign aid, a referendum on Europe, grammar schools. Who knows? -- Nigel Farage
Drafting a constitution is only the first step. The constitution has to be granted legitimacy by open discussion and a fair, representative referendum. -- Emma Bonino
My goal is always to keep support for Israel a bi-partisan issue and never make a national election any kind of referendum on Israel. -- Alan Dershowitz
Initiative and referendum make government more responsive to its citizens, neutralize the power of the special interests and stimulate public involvement in state issues. -- George W. Bush
It is difficult to understand these people who democratically take part in elections and a referendum, but are then incapable of democratically accepting the will of the people. -- Jose Saramago
However, I must say that I am very happy to see that we have such a positive result for our first referendum in our history and that gives me more confidence in Taiwan's democracy. -- Chen Shui-bian
My hope is that my personal testimony can help in some way to not only advance the dialogue and approve Referendum 74, but also to help shape a culture of belonging in which ALL people are equal. -- Macklemore
We have a Conservative leader that believes in green taxes, that won't bring back grammar schools, that believes in continuing with total open-door migration from eastern Europe and refuses to give us a referendum on the EU. -- Nigel Farage
If you are a Scot living outside of Scotland but still in the UK, you are not allowed to vote in the referendum. This leaves over a million of loyal, proud Scots disenfranchised. It gives me the rage. -- Damian Barr
I do a lot of referendums. They can't talk back. They don't have wives. They don't have friends who tell you how to run the campaign. They are supported by special interests, so there's a lot of money in them. -- Roger Stone
Any reform of that fundamental nature, potentially constitutional, it has to go to the people. It has to be a be a referendum, and that's why it was a plebiscite in all of the provinces in which it's been attempted. -- Rona Ambrose
I thought this election was an adult discussion on how best to protect ourselves in the face of terrorism, but apparently it was a referendum on boys kissing. When homophobia trumps terrorism in America, wow. This country needs to get laid. -- Bill Maher
Fundamental questions are being asked about the future of the Eurozone and therefore the shape of the EU itself. Opportunities to advance our national interest are clearly becoming apparent. We should focus on how to make the most of this, not pursue a parliamentary process for a multiple choice referendum. -- David Cameron
For Indigenous Australians, equal rights and citizenship have not always translated into full participation in Australian society. All Indigenous Australians have only been counted in the census since the 1967 Referendum. Even so, State protection and welfare laws continued to control the lives of Indigenous Australians and denied them equal rights, well into the 1970's. -- Jackie Huggins
I think referendums are fantastic as long as the question is phrased in a way which is not meant to deliberately confuse or confound people. -- Cate Blanchett
There's much more we can be doing in Parliament, we could be giving more power back to people at local government level, through local referendums. -- Theresa May
I find it surprising, however, that many German politicians generally oppose referendums, but then when it's an EU matter, they immediately scream for a plebiscite. -- Martin Schulz
The recession is everywhere. We need to be heard. Wouldn't it be great if there could be more referendums so we could have regular voting on specific points? -- Joss Stone
There were a number of referendums in '98 that most of the things I voted for passed. That's very satisfying when you feel that most of the country is in step with your views. -- David Cross

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