Direct democracy has many enthusiastic fans.

They point out that some questions are just too important for elected representatives to decide; constitutional changes are often cited as classic issues of this kind, and the current call for a Referendum on the latest European treaty just reflects some people’s views that it contains proposals whose significance are profound and far reaching.

Another argument is that referenda confer a greater legitimacy for major change. Devolution for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland was meant to respond to the will of the people, and a plebiscite is the accepted way to measure it; Alex Salmond’s recently published options for further change assumes another referendum if it is to secure the consent of the Scottish people. In this as in other cases, supporters of referenda claim it enhances the quality and inclusiveness of debate, and helps the electorate address difficult issues.