Cameron Faces Rebellion Over EU Referendum Rules

Strategic Insights -

Owen Paterson, a former Conservative Cabinet minister, has warned that the result of the EU referendum may not be seen as legitimate unless David Cameron reverses his plans to water down the rules on civil service neutrality in the run-up to the vote. Paterson, who was Environment Secretary in the Coalition Government, expressed concern that the Government's amendments to the EU Referendum Bill still allow ministers to decide which areas they can speak out on during the crucial last few weeks of the campaign. As a result, as many as 110 Eurosceptic Tory MPs have been invited to meet to discuss a strategy for forcing the Government to rethink its plans.

Key Takeaways:

  • As many as 110 Eurosceptic Tory MPs have been invited to a meeting to discuss a strategy for forcing the Government to rethink its plans.
  • The Government's amendments to the EU Referendum Bill still allow ministers to decide which areas they can speak out on during the crucial last few weeks of the campaign.
  • Owen Paterson, a former Conservative Cabinet minister, has warned that the result of the EU referendum may not be seen as legitimate unless the rules on civil service neutrality are restored.
  • Ministers are expected to meet with as many as 30 Conservative rebel MPs who are intent on voting down Government plans to water down the purdah rules.
  • Sir Bill Cash, a veteran Eurosceptic MP, has warned that unless the Government restores the purdah rules it will "have a very powerful effect on reducing trust in the outcome".
  • Alex Salmond MP, the former SNP leader, has warned that David Cameron faces "humiliation" unless he changes tack.

Statistics:

  • 110: The number of Eurosceptic Tory MPs invited to a meeting to discuss a strategy for forcing the Government to rethink its plans.
  • 30: The number of Conservative rebel MPs who are expected to meet with Government ministers to discuss their concerns.
  • 20: The number of Conservative MPs who, with the support of opposition parties, may be able to vote down the Government's measures.
  • 2pm: The time when the meeting of Eurosceptic Tory MPs is expected to take place in a Commons committee room.

Sources:

  • The Daily Telegraph
  • The EU Referendum Bill
  • The Conservative Party
  • The BBC
  • The European Union