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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| David Cameron backs down over EU vote 'purdah' period | David Cameron backs down over EU vote 'purdah' period |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| David Cameron is backing down on his refusal to impose a period of “purdah” in the runup to the EU referendum in a concession to his Eurosceptic backbenchers. | David Cameron is backing down on his refusal to impose a period of “purdah” in the runup to the EU referendum in a concession to his Eurosceptic backbenchers. |
| The government is planning to table changes to the rules on Wednesday after an outcry from some anti-EU MPs when the bill was unveiled after the election. | The government is planning to table changes to the rules on Wednesday after an outcry from some anti-EU MPs when the bill was unveiled after the election. |
| The Eurosceptics were unhappy that the EU referendum bill lifted the usual requirement for purdah, which is a period of restrictions on what Whitehall departments can say and spend in relation to the campaign during the month before an election. | The Eurosceptics were unhappy that the EU referendum bill lifted the usual requirement for purdah, which is a period of restrictions on what Whitehall departments can say and spend in relation to the campaign during the month before an election. |
| Ministers had argued they needed to be able to talk about Europe freely and defend the UK’s national interest in Brussels but the “no” camp was concerned that the government could use Whitehall machinery to influence the public in favour of a vote to remain in the EU. | Ministers had argued they needed to be able to talk about Europe freely and defend the UK’s national interest in Brussels but the “no” camp was concerned that the government could use Whitehall machinery to influence the public in favour of a vote to remain in the EU. |
| It is understood the changes will impose purdah with a few exceptions to allow ministers to carry on with essential business. | It is understood the changes will impose purdah with a few exceptions to allow ministers to carry on with essential business. |
| However, it remains to be seen whether this concession will be enough to placate the 27 MPs who rebelled over the issue and were only defeated because Labour abstained. | However, it remains to be seen whether this concession will be enough to placate the 27 MPs who rebelled over the issue and were only defeated because Labour abstained. |
| Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, leading Eurosceptic Sir Bill Cash said he welcomed the government’s climbdown but questioned the need for any exemptions at all. | Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, leading Eurosceptic Sir Bill Cash said he welcomed the government’s climbdown but questioned the need for any exemptions at all. |
| He also highlighted the next looming battle over whether Cameron will lift the requirement for collective responsibility to allow ministers to campaign on either side of the referendum. | He also highlighted the next looming battle over whether Cameron will lift the requirement for collective responsibility to allow ministers to campaign on either side of the referendum. |
| In another development, BBC Newsnight reported that Downing Street is considering holding the EU referendum potentially as early as April 2016, although the legislation could be held up in the House of Lords, making that possible timetable tight. | In another development, BBC Newsnight reported that Downing Street is considering holding the EU referendum potentially as early as April 2016, although the legislation could be held up in the House of Lords, making that possible timetable tight. |
| Related: The hard to find benefits of being in the EU | Letter from Graham Stringer MP | |
| The changes to the purdah rules are the second climbdown by Cameron over the EU referendum in recent days after he accepted a recommendation by the Electoral Commission to change the wording of the referendum question. | The changes to the purdah rules are the second climbdown by Cameron over the EU referendum in recent days after he accepted a recommendation by the Electoral Commission to change the wording of the referendum question. |
| Nigel Farage, the Ukip leader, welcomed the revision, which means voters will be asked whether Britain should remain a member of the EU or leave the EU. The government had intended to ask voters simply whether the UK should stay in the EU, prompting the Electoral Commission to warn that this could favour the status quo in the referendum. | Nigel Farage, the Ukip leader, welcomed the revision, which means voters will be asked whether Britain should remain a member of the EU or leave the EU. The government had intended to ask voters simply whether the UK should stay in the EU, prompting the Electoral Commission to warn that this could favour the status quo in the referendum. |