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| EU referendum: Tory MPs plot revolt in vote on 'purdah' rules | EU referendum: Tory MPs plot revolt in vote on 'purdah' rules |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| MPs are to debate planned changes to EU referendum campaign rules amid the prospect of a rebellion by Tory MPs. | MPs are to debate planned changes to EU referendum campaign rules amid the prospect of a rebellion by Tory MPs. |
| The government made concessions last week in a row over so-called "purdah" rules limiting the material ministers can publish in the run-up to the vote. | The government made concessions last week in a row over so-called "purdah" rules limiting the material ministers can publish in the run-up to the vote. |
| Despite this, Eurosceptics remain worried the "Whitehall machine" may be used to help the pro-EU campaign. | Despite this, Eurosceptics remain worried the "Whitehall machine" may be used to help the pro-EU campaign. |
| It comes amid reports that business leaders are being urged to tone down attacks on the risk of EU exit. | It comes amid reports that business leaders are being urged to tone down attacks on the risk of EU exit. |
| The Financial Times claimed Downing Street was privately advising pro-EU business figures to stop warning about the dangers of EU withdrawal for fear of undermining David Cameron's negotiating position. | The Financial Times claimed Downing Street was privately advising pro-EU business figures to stop warning about the dangers of EU withdrawal for fear of undermining David Cameron's negotiating position. |
| MPs are expected to approve the EU Referendum Bill - legislation paving the way for an in-out referendum by the end of 2017 - on Monday but a number of Eurosceptic Tories could defy the government on the issue of "purdah" in a series of votes. | MPs are expected to approve the EU Referendum Bill - legislation paving the way for an in-out referendum by the end of 2017 - on Monday but a number of Eurosceptic Tories could defy the government on the issue of "purdah" in a series of votes. |
| Up to 110 Eurosceptic MPs are reportedly set to meet in Parliament before Monday's votes to discuss their strategy. | Up to 110 Eurosceptic MPs are reportedly set to meet in Parliament before Monday's votes to discuss their strategy. |
| Under rules in force since 2000, ministers would have been banned from using taxpayers money to publish any material relating to the question of the UK's place in the EU, and to engage in any publicity connected with Europe, in the 28 days before the vote. | Under rules in force since 2000, ministers would have been banned from using taxpayers money to publish any material relating to the question of the UK's place in the EU, and to engage in any publicity connected with Europe, in the 28 days before the vote. |
| Ministers had wanted to suspend the rules for the EU vote, arguing this was necessary to allow the government to continue dealing with EU matters during the referendum period and to defend the national interest in Brussels. | Ministers had wanted to suspend the rules for the EU vote, arguing this was necessary to allow the government to continue dealing with EU matters during the referendum period and to defend the national interest in Brussels. |
| What is purdah? | What is purdah? |
| Purdah is a longstanding convention whereby governments refrain from making any major announcements in the run-up to general elections or other polls to avoid influencing their outcome. | Purdah is a longstanding convention whereby governments refrain from making any major announcements in the run-up to general elections or other polls to avoid influencing their outcome. |
| The existing rules were set out in legislation passed in 2000. They prevent ministers, departments and local authorities from publishing any "promotional material" arguing for or against any particular outcome or referring to any of the issues involved in the referendum. | The existing rules were set out in legislation passed in 2000. They prevent ministers, departments and local authorities from publishing any "promotional material" arguing for or against any particular outcome or referring to any of the issues involved in the referendum. |
| The rules, which apply to the 28 days up to polling day, do not preclude ministers from issuing press notices or responding to specific requests for information from members of the public. | The rules, which apply to the 28 days up to polling day, do not preclude ministers from issuing press notices or responding to specific requests for information from members of the public. |
| Eurosceptic MPs said this could allow ministers to use their offices to send e-mails and other communications arguing against EU exit and this could affect the outcome of the vote. | Eurosceptic MPs said this could allow ministers to use their offices to send e-mails and other communications arguing against EU exit and this could affect the outcome of the vote. |
| Following a rebellion on the issue in the Commons earlier this year, ministers conceded the purdah rules would be reinstated but with exemptions - such as allowing the government to conduct routine EU business, including issuing statements in response to European Council meetings and European Court of Justice rulings. | Following a rebellion on the issue in the Commons earlier this year, ministers conceded the purdah rules would be reinstated but with exemptions - such as allowing the government to conduct routine EU business, including issuing statements in response to European Council meetings and European Court of Justice rulings. |
| But the Foreign Office said it also reserved the right to further amend the regulations, subject to Parliamentary approval, to allow ministers and others to comment on the referendum "using normal communications channels". | But the Foreign Office said it also reserved the right to further amend the regulations, subject to Parliamentary approval, to allow ministers and others to comment on the referendum "using normal communications channels". |
| In an appeal to Tory MPs, Europe minister David Lidington said: "The four week campaign should be a matter for campaign groups, with no government advertising campaigns, glossy mailshots, door-drops, target letters or mass emails." | In an appeal to Tory MPs, Europe minister David Lidington said: "The four week campaign should be a matter for campaign groups, with no government advertising campaigns, glossy mailshots, door-drops, target letters or mass emails." |
| But writing for Writing for the Conservative Home website, he added: "But ministers will want to be able to explain the outcome of the renegotiation, set out our recommendation and explain our reasons. Indeed, I think the British public will expect the prime minister, who initiated and led the renegotiation, to set out his stall to them." | But writing for Writing for the Conservative Home website, he added: "But ministers will want to be able to explain the outcome of the renegotiation, set out our recommendation and explain our reasons. Indeed, I think the British public will expect the prime minister, who initiated and led the renegotiation, to set out his stall to them." |
| 'Demagogues and dictators' | 'Demagogues and dictators' |
| An amendment setting out the government's position will be voted on later on Monday during Third Reading of the EU Bill. | An amendment setting out the government's position will be voted on later on Monday during Third Reading of the EU Bill. |
| Eurosceptic MPs want the Electoral Commission to be given the power to advise ministers on what publicity and communications would be appropriate and to specifically rule out any further relaxation in the rules in the four months leading up to the vote. | Eurosceptic MPs want the Electoral Commission to be given the power to advise ministers on what publicity and communications would be appropriate and to specifically rule out any further relaxation in the rules in the four months leading up to the vote. |
| The MPs have also tabled other amendments calling for curbs on ministerial visits by devolved governments, a guarantee the campaign will be no shorter than 4 months, restrictions on direct campaigning by the EU and a requirement for the UK, in the event of an Out vote, to leave the EU within two years. | The MPs have also tabled other amendments calling for curbs on ministerial visits by devolved governments, a guarantee the campaign will be no shorter than 4 months, restrictions on direct campaigning by the EU and a requirement for the UK, in the event of an Out vote, to leave the EU within two years. |
| However, it is not clear yet whether any of these amendments will be voted on. | However, it is not clear yet whether any of these amendments will be voted on. |
| Tory Eurosceptic Bernard Jenkin told the BBC he was "reasonably confident" Labour would support his bid to stop a snap poll from being held, by requiring the government to give four months' notice of the vote. | |
| "We can't have a referendum that is not being conducted fairly and one in which the rules aren't clear from the outset," he told Radio 4's World at One. | "We can't have a referendum that is not being conducted fairly and one in which the rules aren't clear from the outset," he told Radio 4's World at One. |
| Mr Jenkin, who chairs the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, added: "This is meant to be a solemn constitutional exercise, not a trick or a device to get the government out of a problem." | Mr Jenkin, who chairs the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, added: "This is meant to be a solemn constitutional exercise, not a trick or a device to get the government out of a problem." |
| "Clement Attlee used to say that referendums were the device of demagogues and dictators. I do hope the government isn't being tempted down that path." | "Clement Attlee used to say that referendums were the device of demagogues and dictators. I do hope the government isn't being tempted down that path." |
| Labour, which abstained in a vote on the issue of purdah in June, has tabled a separate amendment calling for the application of the existing rules and requiring ministers to specify what material will be published during the 28-day period. | Labour, which abstained in a vote on the issue of purdah in June, has tabled a separate amendment calling for the application of the existing rules and requiring ministers to specify what material will be published during the 28-day period. |
| The government has yet to decide when the referendum will be held, saying it will be determined by the progress of negotiations with other EU nations and the passage of the EU Referendum Bill - which must also be approved by the House of Lords. | The government has yet to decide when the referendum will be held, saying it will be determined by the progress of negotiations with other EU nations and the passage of the EU Referendum Bill - which must also be approved by the House of Lords. |
| UKIP MP Douglas Carswell warned the bill allowed for the possibility of a snap four-week campaign next Spring, telling the BBC's Daily Politics that ministers "could pull a fast one and trigger a fast referendum if that is the only way they think they can win it". | UKIP MP Douglas Carswell warned the bill allowed for the possibility of a snap four-week campaign next Spring, telling the BBC's Daily Politics that ministers "could pull a fast one and trigger a fast referendum if that is the only way they think they can win it". |