Are referendum results binding?

European Union Act 2011 (For mandatory referendum)

2. Treaties amending or replacing TEU or TFEU

(1) A treaty which amends or replaces TEU or TFEU is not to be ratified unless—

(a) a statement relating to the treaty was laid before Parliament in accordance with section 5,

(b) the treaty is approved by Act of Parliament, and

(c) the referendum condition or the exemption condition is met.

(2) The referendum condition is that—

(a) the Act providing for the approval of the treaty provides that the provision approving the treaty is not to come into force until a referendum about whether the treaty should be ratified has been held throughout the United Kingdom or, where the treaty also affects Gibraltar, throughout the United Kingdom and Gibraltar,

(b) the referendum has been held, and (c) the majority of those voting in the referendum are in favour of the ratification of the treaty.

Referendum Act 2015 (For optional referendum)

Referendum result to stand.

84. Where a result has been declared in a referendum conducted in accordance with this Act, that result shall be recognized and, as the circumstances may require, be given effect to, until the result of a subsequent referendum requires otherwise.