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EU referendum: Cameron suffers Commons defeat over 'purdah' rules | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The new government has suffered its first defeat in the House of Commons, over changes to rules governing the in/out EU referendum campaign. | |
Ministers wanted to amend so-called "purdah" rules which limit government activity during the campaign period. | |
But Labour teamed up with rebel Tory MPs to block the move by 312 to 285 and ensure the normal rules would apply. | |
Earlier, the government conceded a rebel Tory amendment preventing a snap poll from being held. | |
Tabled by Eurosceptic Conservative MP Bernard Jenkin, it requires ministers to give four months' notice of how the final purdah rules would work. | Tabled by Eurosceptic Conservative MP Bernard Jenkin, it requires ministers to give four months' notice of how the final purdah rules would work. |
The amendment had attracted support from Labour, meaning the government faced a possible defeat on it. | |
MPs are debating the EU Referendum Bill - which paves the way for an in-out referendum on Britain's EU membership by the end of 2017 - at its final stages. | |
They are expected to approved the legislation later on Monday evening. | |
What is purdah? | What is purdah? |
Purdah is a long standing 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. |
The government agreed to restore purdah restrictions for the EU referendum in response to Euroceptics' concerns Prime Minister David Cameron could use the Whitehall publicity machine to promote continued EU membership. | |
But ministers said there should be certain exemptions to the rules to enable ministers and others to conduct EU business as usual during the referendum campaign. | |
Arguing for a partial suspension of the normal purdah rules, Europe Minister David Lidington told MPs it would ensure the normal running of government business during the final weeks of the referendum campaign. | |
"Limited modifications" to the purdah rules would enable the government to transcribe wider EU business "without legal risks", he said. | |
'Humiliating defeat' | |
But he was accused by Tory Eurosceptic MP Sir Edward Leigh of offering "legalistic claptrap" in a bid to avoid a defeat in the Commons. | |
He said the process must be "considered to be fair" and argued for Labour's amendment - to reinstate the full purdah rules - to be accepted. | |
Commenting after the vote, shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn said the government had tried to play "fast and loose" with the arrangements for the referendum. | |
"This is a humiliating defeat for David Cameron, with members from all sides of the House supporting Labour's approach to purdah, which ensures fairness in the conduct of the referendum campaign while permitting normal government business to take place," Mr Benn said. | |
"The government should never have rushed through its flawed plans to play fast and loose with the rules on the referendum." | |
No date has yet been set for the referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union but the prime minister has promised to hold the vote by the end of 2017. | |
The debate on the EU Referendum Bill 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 Mr Cameron's negotiating position. |