A referendum to remove GST on liquor could receive sufficient votes to reach the agreed minimum; especially if the big liquor companies funded the advertising campaign. And they probably would.

Under a binding referenda law, Parliament would be forced enact this. Would this solve our woes? No way! On the contrary, reduced liquor prices and increased consumption would greatly increase them.

Other scenarios come to mind. A referendum to legalise the use of marijuana, or one to make adult nudity permissible on all beaches.

If you're thinking neither of these could get sufficient signatures then you underestimate the power of Facebook and Twitter.

Again, with enough votes these policies would automatically go into law - with neither the cut and thrust of parliamentary debate nor opportunities for public submissions. Just done and dusted!

Therefore, binding referenda are for me far too dangerous, and no way will I be voting for the Conservative Party because of this policy of theirs.

Don Campbell, Gate Pa