Opposition Day — EU Referendum Date — 9 Feb 2016 at 15:48

The majority of MPs voted against holding the referendum on the UK's membership of the EU too close to elections due to be held in May 2016.

The motion rejected by the majority of MPs taking part in this vote was:

• That this House
• notes and regrets that the Government appears set to rush to a referendum on the UK’s membership of the European Union in June 2016;
• believes that no case has been made for holding a referendum at such an early stage, and that further, any such needlessly premature date risks contaminating the result;
• believes that a subject as fundamental as EU membership should be decisively settled after a full and comprehensive debate;
• notes the recommendations of the Electoral Commission on best practice for referendums;
• further notes that there are elections happening in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, London and some local authorities in May 2016 and that the First Ministers of each of the devolved administrations have all expressed opposition to a June referendum date; and
• urges the Government to set the date for the referendum having respect for the May elections as distinct electoral choices.

Debate in Parliament |