The phrase "referendum defeat" means that a proposal put forward for a public vote, known as a referendum, has been rejected or failed to pass. Full definition
In just a few short months, Sturgeon has taken her party from referendum defeat to the brink of the most remarkable election result in recent political history. (politics.co.uk)
The dousing of Cleggmania, followed by the crushing AV referendum defeat, was a double whammy. (totalpolitics.com)
In the wake of the electoral reform referendum defeat Lib Dems were faced with the bitter reality of a complete failure to achieve one of their biggest constitutional reform goals. (politics.co.uk)