EU referendum: Eurosceptics welcome campaign rule changes

David Cameron will attempt to neutralise a possible rebellion by Eurosceptic Conservative MPs by making changes to proposed rules for campaigning in the upcoming EU referendum.

In a divergence from the rules of standard elections, the government had planned to introduce changes that would allow government money and officials to be used to promote one side of the campaign in the run up to the vote in 2017.

Critics said that in practice this would mean the pro-EU campaign, which is likely to be backed by the Conservatives, would benefit from the powerful machinery of government in the crucial final weeks of the campaign.

Normally “purdah”, typically the six-week period before the vote, prevents central and local government from making announcements or new initiatives immediately before the election.

Amendments are now being tabled to the EU Referendum Bill are expected to address concern over plans to ease the “purdah” rule, at least at a ministerial level.

Ministers had argued that the change was needed to allow the government to continue to conduct normal business with EU partners, but a parliamentary committee warned in July that it risked casting “a shadow of doubt” over the propriety of the in/out vote.

The new proposals are designed to reassure MPs that ministers are not seeking to wield the full weight of the government machine or spend large amounts of public money in support of the campaign to stay in the EU, if that is what the prime minister recommends.

It is understood the changes will impose purdah with a few exceptions to allow ministers to carry on with essential business.

Leading Eurosceptic Sir Bill Cash welcomed the changes but hinted that the climbdown may not be enough to please the all rebels. Suggesting on Radio 4’s Today programme that no exemptions what so ever should be allowed.

David Cameron, pictured on holiday with his wife Samantha in Cornwall last week, is yet to announce exact timing of the in out referendum

The development comes a day after David Cameron accepted a watchdog’s recommendation that voters should be asked whether they want the UK to “remain in” or “leave” the EU, rather than ticking a “Yes” or “No” box in the referendum, which he has promised by the end of 2017.

Nigel Farage, who is set to launch Ukip’s own out campaign, welcomed the rewording. He tweeted: “Electoral Commission recommendation forcing government to change question is first kick back against Cameron’s attempt to rig referendum.”

Mr Cameron survived a Commons revolt of 27 Tory MPs – including five former cabinet members – in June over the plan to drop the 28-day purdah rule. Eurosceptics were furious because they feared it would allow Whitehall to back the Yes camp.

In July, the House of Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee wrote to Europe minister David Lidington to warn that plans to ditch the purdah period were “completely unacceptable” and the Government had to be seen to conduct itself “properly, fairly and impartially” in the run-up to the poll.

Mr Lidington promised to talk to critics over the summer and bring forward amendments to “put beyond any doubt that the campaign will be conducted throughout in a manner that all sides will see as fair”.