Why should the UK make greater use of referendums?

It is argued that few people join political parties because members have little influence over policy decisions and candidate selection.
In contrast, referendums give everyone an equal voice, without concerns about broken manifesto promises or wasted votes.
The 2014 referendum on Scottish independence had 84.5% turnout, suggesting that people are willing to participate when they feel that their vote counts.
The last UK general election to have turnout this high was in 1950 (83.9%).
Part of the role of the Electoral Commission is to send out information to educate the public so that they can make a more informed decision.
For example, for the 2011 AV referendum, the Electoral Commission sent out information explaining how the AV and FPTP worked.
The media coverage of the referendum and the materials produced by the various campaigns expose voters to further evidence and arguments to inform their decision.

Referendums can settle controversial issues in a more decisive way than Parliament could alone.
The Northern Ireland Good Friday Agreement referendum in 1998 had both high turnout (81%) and a decisive victory for the ‘yes’ campaign approving the agreement (71%).
This gave far greater weight to the agreement, which confirmed the status of Northern Ireland as part of the UK and laid plans for the devolved Northern Ireland Assembly.
It is arguable that by allowing a referendum on the European Economic Community in 1975, our membership was then considered to be more legitimate.
By comparison, the controversial Lisbon Treaty, which made substantial changes to our relationship with the EU, was not approved with a referendum and has been challenged ever since.
However, referendums cannot settle controversial issues forever.
Referendums on creating a Scottish Parliament and Welsh Parliament were both defeated in 1979. However, this did not settle the issue. Referendums were held again in 1997 and this time the devolution plans were approved. But again, this did not settle the issue.
A referendum was held in Wales in 2011 to give the Welsh Assembly further powers over legislation, and in 2014 Scotland narrowly voted against independence, and so further referendums seem likely.
While the result of the 1975 EEC referendum stood for over 40 years, the 2016 EU Referendum has now changed this.

Referendum debates educate the public on important political issues.
Part of the role of the Electoral Commission is to send out information to educate the public so that they can make a more informed decision.
For example, for the 2011 AV referendum, the Electoral Commission sent out information explaining how AV and FPTP worked.
The media coverage of the referendum and the materials produced by the various campaigns expose voters to further evidence and arguments to inform their decision.
The referendum on Scottish independence in 2014 had significant media coverage, and both campaigns went to great lengths to explain to Scottish voters the economic and social benefits of the union, or independence.