Scrapping purdah biggest point of contention as EU Referendum Bill easily passes its second readingThe Government’s EU Referendum Bill yesterday passed its second reading by 544 votes to 53. During the debate, a number of backbenchers complained that the government’s intention to suspend the 28-day ‘purdah’ period – during which ministers and civil servants are unable to make official announcements on the subject of the EU – would create the impression that the referendum was rigged in order to obtain an ‘In’ vote. However, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, who presented the Bill, argued that it would be “unworkable” to expect …read more
Source: Open Europe
