What is a referendum?

A referendum is defined as a direct vote by the electorate on a specific proposal or question, allowing citizens to directly express their opinions and make decisions on important issues. This democratic process gives the public the power to influence legislation or policy directly, rather than solely through elected representatives.

Examples of referendums in the UK include the 2016 vote on whether to remain in or leave the European Union. Such events highlight the significance of referendums in allowing the electorate to take an active role in determining their political and social landscape, making this option the most accurate representation of what a referendum is.

The other options describe different political processes or mechanisms that do not align with the definition of a referendum, focusing instead on legislative debates, local electoral methods, or appointment systems for government officials. These processes do not confer the same direct decision-making power to the electorate as a referendum does.