EU referendum: Government defeated over 'purdah' rules for poll
The PM has conceded that there will have to be 'purdah' rules before the vote
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.David Cameron has been defeated in the House of Commons for the first time as a majority Conservative Prime Minister, losing a vote on the purdah rules for the EU referendum 312 to 285, majority 27.
Labour, SNP and anti-EU Tories had threatened to combine to force the Government to change the rules covering next year’s proposed referendum on Britain’s EU membership.
The dispute is over whether the Government should be tied during the run-up to the referendum by rules similar to those applying before general elections, which bar ministers from using the civil service machinery to make any pronouncements that might influence the way people vote.
Under pressure from anti-EU Tories, the Prime Minister has already conceded that there will have to be “purdah” rules before the EU referendum, but the various sides were embroiled in a complicated argument on how those rules should apply.
Bernard Jenkin, a leading Tory rebel, put forward a last-minute amendment to the EU Referendum Bill which would force the Government to set out the purdah rules at least four months before polling day. He argued that would prevent the Government from “bouncing” opponents into a referendum before the ground rules had been agreed.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments