A referendum is a vote by the people held by the government on issue that the government cannot decide on. Or that the government think is too important for representatives of the people (mps) to vote on. .
Also a referendum is put into practice when a government wants it not the people also the government not the people draws up the questions asked. So in a sense it is possible for the people not to be able to vote on an issue they want e.g. devolution of a part of the UK. If the government don't want to have a referendum. Also it is not compulsory to have one.
Elections are compulsory and must happen about every five years even if the government don't want one. Which is one main difference between a referendum and an election also the government have no control on wording an election or have there power to set artificial barriers for example in the Scottish referendum 1977 over 50% of the population eligible to vote had to vote yes. Even if the yes had a majority but 50% of those who could vote didn't vote yes than no devolution would happen.
Main difference.
An referendum is not compulsory a election is.
The government can word and change a referendum in elections they cant.
There is a limit to how much a party can spend in campaigning in a referendum there is no such barrier in an election.
The government can set artificial barriers such as 1977 Scottish referendum in an referendum they cant do the with an election.
The government can set restions on which part of the UK can vote in a referendum again 1977 Scottish referendum only Scottish people could vote they cant with elections it is open to all over 18 and the government or parliament cannot change this.
The government can ignore the outcome of a referendum they cannot with an election.
2.
The Scottish referendum held in 1977 was the first referendum held in the UK. It was like all referendums to be held later on devolution of Scotland from the UK.
