What now for refererendums?

Now the AV referendum result is out the way, let local government allow itself a pat on the back at the way it was handled.
While all the focus was on the result, we must not forget the hundreds of managers and council staff who worked to ensure that one of the biggest election days in years – AV, English locals, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, parishes – went off without a hitch. Considering the parliamentary go ahead to the referendum squeezed into legislation back in February hours before its deadline, giving local authorities just weeks to organise it, they did a sterling and, as ever, unsung job.
Long term, what are the implications of the AV result for councils?
The average turnout of 42% did not suggest, as initially feared, that there was overwhelming apathy, although no-one could accuse the campaigns of being anything other than lacklustre – and nor is 42% a figure that suggests the nation has fallen in love with referendums.
But, it is highly unlikely we will see another such national poll, although there may well be one in Scotland on independence. For most people, one every 35 years is about the right number. The public do not like being asked to vote on issues it does not regard as vital.
And thereby hangs a problem. For, as Nick Raynsford points out on page 15 in The MJ this week, the Localism Bill does envisage more local referendums in England on council tax rises which are binding on councils.
It also proposes the power for residents to instigate via a petition for local referendums on any other local issue – which are not binding on councils.
The chances of local residents rushing back to the polling booths to register their view on whether a library the other side of the borough should close on alternate Thursdays is unlikely. Nor will councils be exactly falling over themselves to cough up the extra costs of running such polls.
MPs and ministers may want to take another look at this before councils are saddled with another costly and unwanted burden.