Referendums Quotes

#1. LENIN = "Revolutionary Social Democracy"
American Socialists = "Democratic Socialism". What is the difference? The USSR held democratic referendums too; all of which increased the power of the central planners and reduced the individual to nothingness. #Quote by A.E. Samaan

#2. 2010 is not just a choice between Republicans and Democrats. 2010 is not just a choice between liberals and conservatives. 2010 is a referendum on the very identity of our nation. #Quote by Marco Rubio

#3. When we said that no more areas of power should go to the EU we were right. And now thanks to the European Union Act 2011, by law that cannot happen without a referendum. And we are just as right that the EU has more power in our national life than it should, and I believe as strongly as I ever have that when the right moment comes this party should set out to reduce it. #Quote by William Hague

#4. 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. #Quote by Martin Schulz

#5. 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. #Quote by Theresa May

#6. 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. #Quote by Roger Stone

#7. Did we get anything like the sort of reform that would make the EU work better? No. Not even close. And worse, even with the certainty of a UK referendum following the negotiation, it is clear that there was no appetite amongst European leaders for anything more than a few minor concessions. #Quote by Andrea Leadsom

#8. Clearly, if it is sensible to hold a referendum on independence, it is crucial that we have one on marriage. It is the only way the country can move forward on this issue. Let all those who have a view on this subject place their trust in the Scottish people and let Scotland decide. #Quote by Keith O'Brien

#9. 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. #Quote by Damian Barr

#10. 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? #Quote by Joss Stone

#11. Hey, the bait is here. Get in Quebecers, get in the lobster trap, and then we'll close the door. And you'll have a referendum no matter what, #Quote by Philippe Couillard

#12. If there are further steps to European integration, the people should have their say at a general election or in a referendum. #Quote by Tony Blair

#13. I also hold a settling of questions by the referendum to be an unsatisfactory procedure, because there are no simple political questions which can be answered merely by Yes and No. The masses are also more prone even than Parliaments to be led away by heterodox opinions, and to be swayed by vigorous ranting. It is impossible to formulate a wise internal or external policy in a popular assembly. #Quote by Theodor Herzl

#14. You might object that people were asked 'What do you think?' rather than 'What do you feel?', but this is a common misperception. Referendums and elections are always about human feelings, not about human rationality. If democracy were a matter of rational decision-making, there would be absolutely no reason to give all people equal voting rights – or perhaps any voting rights. There is ample evidence that some people are far more knowledgeable and rational than others, certainly when it comes to specific economic and political questions. #Quote by Yuval Noah Harari

#15. 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. #Quote by David Cameron

#16. Ten years ago, in the aftermath of the referendum in Quebec, the very existence of Canada was on the line ... I had a responsibility to ensure that Canada never again came close to the precipice, #Quote by Jean Chretien

#17. 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. #Quote by David Cross

#18. The Government have made it clear that the constitutional treaty will be ratified in the UK only after a referendum. #Quote by Geoff Hoon

#19. The 1860 election became a referendum on the southern way of life. #Quote by Bruce Catton

#20. 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. #Quote by Martin Schulz

#21. 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. #Quote by Cate Blanchett

#22. I've repeated it 100 times and I'm going to look you in the eye, tonight, Mr. Couillard: there will be no referendum as long as Quebecers aren't ready. #Quote by Philippe Couillard

#23. No treaty should be ratified without consulting the British people in a referendum #Quote by David Cameron

#24. The good thing about not calling it a Constitution is that no one can ask for a referendum on it. #Quote by Giuliano Amato

#25. Look at Ukraine. Its currency, the hernia, is plunging. The euro is really in a problem. Greece is problematic as to whether it can pay the IMF, which is threatening not to be part of the troika with the European Central Bank and the European Union making more loans to enable Greece to pay the bondholders and the banks. Britain is having a referendum as to whether to withdraw from the European Union, and it looks more and more like it may do so. So the world's politics are in turmoil. #Quote by Michael Hudson