From: DMcG - PM
Date: 13 Oct 17 - 01:52 AM
The democratic vote was to leave the EU.
As a point of interest, I'd like to hear what people think is the difference between a vote and a referendum. And since we've discussed the advisory/compulsory aspect of the headline result a lot, we can take those arguments as read. Is there any other difference?

Interesting question.
I can't really see that there is a defining difference in the two terms. A referendum is an opportunity to display your wishes by voting. A vote (as a noun) can either be your statement of your individual preference, or the event in which you are given the opportunity to cast that vote.
If there is any real difference I would say that a vote (in terms of the 'event') is usually used for elections etc., whereas a referendum will usually be a method of finding the prevalent view on a single issue.
So the referendum asked whether we wished to remain part of the EU, while the election asks which party, or local MP, we trust most to run the country according to our more general preferences.

I accept that others may have totally different views, but I'm just giving mine, as I see it.